Riley Gaines Praises 'Heroine' Fencer Stephanie Turner for Refusing to Compete Against Trans Opponent

In a bold and controversial move, fencer Stephanie Turner refused to compete against a transgender opponent at the Cherry Blossom Open in Maryland last weekend. Facing Redmond Sullivan, a trans athlete, Turner, 31, took a knee right before the match and forfeited, sending shockwaves through the fencing community.

Riley Gaines, a former University of Kentucky swimmer and outspoken advocate for women’s sports, publicly lauded Turner’s stance, calling her a "heroine." Gaines stated, "Isn't it amazing how simply this can be explained? The other side likes to say this is complex, it's a complex issue. Stephanie Turner is a heroine in my eyes."

The event was no small occasion. "This was at a junior women's Olympic qualifying event. So, it's a really big deal," Gaines emphasized on America’s Newsroom. "I commend her for taking this measure. It's not easy to do, ultimately deciding to boycott. But it's the most effective way to say enough is enough."

Turner’s decision stemmed from what she described as USA Fencing’s failure to address women’s concerns over its gender eligibility policy. The night before the event, upon seeing Sullivan listed in her competition pool, Turner resolved to take a stand. "I knew what I had to do because USA Fencing had not been listening to women's objections," she said. When the match began, Turner knelt and declared to the referee, "I am a woman, and this is a man. And this is a women's tournament. And I will not fence this individual."

The fallout was swift. Turner was issued a black card, fencing’s most severe penalty, resulting in her ejection from the tournament. A USA Fencing spokesperson clarified that the penalty was not for her stance against trans inclusion but for refusing to compete.

Gaines, who had her own history of competing against trans athletes, took the opportunity to criticize the NCAA’s policies, accusing them of sidelining women in the name of inclusion. "The NCAA is repeatedly rewarding the replacement of women in order to champion men in women's sports," she said, referencing her ongoing lawsuit against the organization. "When they use the word inclusion, what they really mean is exclusion. And the people they are excluding are women."

This incident adds fuel to the ongoing debate about trans inclusion in sports, with high-profile figures like Martina Navratilova also voicing strong opinions. Turner’s actions, while divisive, have drawn attention to a contentious issue that continues to polarize athletes and fans alike.