The fencer After being penalised for refusing to compete against a transgender opponent and taking a knee, Stephanie Turner has spoken out.
The event happened in Maryland on March 30 at a tournament sanctioned by USA Fencing. Since then, more than 7 million people have seen the contentious moment’s footage on X (previously Twitter).
Before her fight with fencer Redmond Sullivan, Turner took a knee in protest and took off her mask. She was thus disqualified from the competition after receiving a black card from the referee.
Highlights
Stephanie Turner defended her choice to abstain from fencing against transgender athlete Redmond Sullivan.
Due to her violation of the rule that forbids fencers from declining to compete against another fencer, Turner was disqualified for the incident.
She misgendered Sullivan in a recent interview and claimed to be aware that her conduct would disqualify her.
Stephanie told Fox News that she “had no choice” but to decline the fight.
She alluded to Sullivan without using her preferred pronouns, saying, “There’s nothing for me, and there’s everything for him.”
“Because I have no options in my competitive environment as a woman. Because I’m a woman, I’m not as athletic as men.
The fencer revealed that after figuring out who her opponent would be the night before, she decided to take a knee.
I said, “I’m sorry, I can’t do this,” as I turned to face the referee after taking the knee. Despite the fact that this is a women’s event, I am a woman. And I’m not going to fence this person.
She said that Sullivan believed she had taken a knee because she was hurt, but he didn’t hear what she told the referee.
“He has no idea what is going on. “Are you okay?” he enquires. I apologised, I added. I respect and love you very much, but I won’t put up a fight with you.
“Well, you know, there is a board of directors member here who supports me, and there is a policy that acknowledges me as a woman, so I am allowed to fence, and you will get black carded,” Redmond told me. “I know,” I replied.
In protest of Sullivan’s participation, who USA Fencing said was an eligible opponent, Turner took a knee.
She clarified that she was dragged away after being handed a copy of the association’s transgender policy and asked to sign a document recognising her exclusion.
The Daily Express US was informed by Sullivan’s team, Iconic Fencing Club, that she had complied with all regulations and guidelines issued by USA Fencing and the FIE, the global fencing regulating body.
The team said that Turner’s actions “have no place” in a sport that is based on “sportsmanship and inclusion,” adding that she “has every right to compete in the events that she qualifies for, and has long since met the criteria to do so.”
Sullivan was ruled out of the competition due to the incident, according to USA Fencing. She was ejected for refusing to fence an opponent, regardless of the opponent’s gender identity, according to a statement from the organisation.
The International Fencing Federation forbids fencers from declining to participate against one another, and her actions are in violation of this rule.
According to the statement, “USA Fencing is responsible for ensuring that all athletes compete under the same rules established by our international federation, regardless of their personal positions.”
A fencer is not allowed to refuse to fence another validly entered fencer for whatever reason, as stated in Article t.113 of the FIE (International Fencing Federation) Technical Rules.
Such a rejection is punishable by disqualification and the associated penalties under these regulations. The purpose of this policy is to protect the integrity of the sport and uphold fair competition standards.
Because cis women are at an athletic disadvantage when competing against trans women, Turner claimed she “had no choice” but to decline the match.
Sullivan’s disqualification was due to her “decision to decline to fence an eligible opponent,” according to USA Fencing, which disputed that it was “related to any personal statement.”
In 2023, the organisation implemented a policy for athletes who identify as transgender or non-binary.
According to the rule, athletes who have undergone a gender change are eligible to participate in USA Fencing-approved contests following a year of testosterone suppression therapy.
Before competing, those who fulfil these requirements must present documentation of their adherence to hormone therapy.
In addition to being “based on the principle that everyone should have the ability to participate in sports and was based upon the research available of the day,” USA Fencing stated that the policy was created “to expand access to the sport of fencing and create inclusive, safe spaces.”
Because she disregarded the International Fencing Federation’s rules, which forbid fencers from declining to participate against one another, she was disqualified 🤺🚨. In a historic demonstration, a female fencer kneels down against a male opponent and is immediately disqualified.
Redmond Sullivan’s female opponent was kicked out of the @USAFencing event at the University of Arkansas after being given a black card for refusing to fight against a man. IloSnrb2Iu pic.twitter.com/
— April 2, 2025, ICONS (@icons_women)
“We respect the opinions on all sides and encourage our members to continue sharing them with us as the matter evolves,” the group told Fox News.
It’s critical that the fencing community has this discussion, but whether it takes place at our events or online, we expect it to be polite.
“Respectful, evidence-based discussion is the way to go forward.”
She said to the referee prior to the fight: “This is a men’s tournament, and I am a woman. And I’m not going to fence this person.
When tennis champion and lesbian rights activist Martina Navratilova endorsed Turner on X, the moment acquired even more momentum.
“This is what happens when female athletes protest!” she wrote. Does anyone here still believe this to be fair? I’m furious. And you should be ashamed of yourself for doing this, @USAFencing. What a jerk you are for putting women under the gender stereotype!
Martina Navratilova, a tennis star and lesbian rights activist, backed Turner on social media.
According to a 2023 Gallup poll, 69% of Americans think transgender athletes should only be permitted to play for teams that correspond to the sex they were assigned at birth.
Since various sports leagues have varying policies regarding the admission of trans athletes, the matter is still up for dispute on a national level.
Proponents of limiting or excluding trans athletes contend that these measures are required to ensure the safety of cisgender athletes. Opponents, on the other hand, contend that these actions cause a marginalised minority to be excluded and stigmatised.
Whether Turner was correct to decline to compete against Sullivan was still up for dispute.
