Fencer Stephanie Turner has publicly addressed her disqualification after refusing to compete against transgender athlete Redmond Sullivan. The incident occurred on March 30 at a USA Fencing tournament in Maryland, and the footage has been viewed over 7 million times on X (formerly Twitter).
Before the match, Turner decided to take a knee in protest, leading to the referee issuing a black card and disqualifying her from the event. Turner explained that she knew her actions would result in disqualification but felt she had no choice. She told Fox News, “I’m a woman, and this is a man, and this is a women’s tournament. I will not fence this individual.” Turner also expressed that she felt at a disadvantage competing against a trans athlete and made her decision the night before when she learned her opponent.
Turner clarified that Sullivan initially thought she was injured when she took a knee. Turner said she explained to Sullivan, “I’m sorry, I have much love and respect for you, but I will not fence you.” Sullivan responded by referencing the policy supporting his eligibility and warned that she would be disqualified. Turner was then given a copy of the association’s transgender policy and asked to sign a document acknowledging her disqualification.
USA Fencing defended the decision, stating that Turner’s refusal to compete violated International Fencing Federation rules, which prohibit fencers from refusing to compete against another athlete, regardless of gender identity. The organization emphasized that the policy exists to ensure fair competition and uphold the integrity of the sport.
Sullivan’s team, Iconic Fencing Club, defended their athlete’s participation, stating that she had met all eligibility criteria. They also expressed that Turner’s actions were not appropriate for a sport that values inclusion and sportsmanship.
The policy allowing athletes who have transitioned from male to female to compete in women’s events after completing a year of testosterone suppression was implemented in 2023 by USA Fencing. This policy aims to foster an inclusive environment in fencing.
The incident has sparked ongoing debates about the inclusion of transgender athletes in sports, with some supporting policies for fairness and others arguing that such rules disadvantage cisgender athletes.