Women's Fencer Takes a Stand by Refusing to Face Transgender Opponent: Punishment and Backlash Ensue

Stephanie Turner, a 31-year-old women's fencer, made headlines this week with her bold decision to refuse competing against transgender athlete Redmond Sullivan during the Cherry Blossom Open in Maryland. Her refusal, punctuated by taking a knee before the bout, has led to a whirlwind of backlash and a severe penalty from USA Fencing.

Turner explained her decision came the night before the event when she realized she would be facing Sullivan, whose presence raised concerns about USA Fencing’s gender eligibility policies. Her stance, she said, was about defending women's sports, a position she wanted captured on video for the world to witness.

“I saw that I was going to be in a pool with Redmond, and from there I said, ‘OK, let’s do it. I'm going to take the knee,’” Turner shared with Fox News Digital. Her anxiety was palpable as she went through warm-ups and fenced in four bouts before her encounter with Sullivan. When the moment arrived, Turner was resolute in her decision, despite being "nervous and shaky."

Turner approached the referee, declaring, “I’m sorry, I cannot do this. I am a woman, and this is a man, and this is a women's tournament. And I will not fence this individual.” Confusion ensued as Sullivan initially misunderstood her actions, believing Turner might have been injured. After clarifying her stance with Sullivan, Turner’s punishment was swiftly enacted.

USA Fencing issued Turner a black card—the sport’s most severe penalty—resulting in her expulsion from the tournament. Turner was then escorted to the bout committee, handed a copy of the organization’s transgender policy, and required to sign a document acknowledging her disqualification, which she did under objection.

In a statement, USA Fencing defended its transgender and non-binary athlete policy, enacted in 2023, as an effort to create inclusive and safe spaces in the sport. The organization emphasized that Turner’s penalty was not related to her personal stance but was a direct consequence of her refusal to compete, citing rules from the International Fencing Federation (FIE) that prohibit such refusals.

Turner’s decision reflects deeper tensions surrounding the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports. She admitted to avoiding prior events with transgender competitors but felt compelled to take a stand this time, describing her decision as one guided by faith. Her actions align with the broader "protect women's sports" movement, which has sparked significant debate and backlash in recent years.

Despite anticipating significant personal and professional consequences, Turner remains unapologetic, expressing concerns about the impact on friendships within the LGBTQ community and her own evolving political identity. Formerly a Democrat, Turner now identifies as a "new Republican conservative" due to her stance on issues like transgender inclusion in sports.

Turner voiced support for policies that ban transgender athletes from competing in women’s and girls' sports, aligning herself with figures such as former President Donald Trump. “Something needs to be done,” she said, accusing activists of embedding themselves in authoritative positions within sports organizations.

While USA Fencing has yet to respond further to Turner, her story continues to ignite conversations about fairness, inclusivity, and the future of sports.