Fencer Stephanie Turner has spoken out after being disqualified for taking a knee and refusing to compete against a transgender opponent.
The incident occurred on March 30 during a USA Fencing-sanctioned tournament in Maryland. Footage of the controversial moment has since been viewed over 7 million times on X (formerly Twitter).
Turner removed her mask and took a knee in protest ahead of her bout against fencer Redmond Sullivan. As a result, the referee issued her a black card, disqualifying her from the event.
Speaking to Fox News, Stephanie stated that she “had no choice” but to refuse the bout
“There’s nothing for me, and there’s everything for him,” she said, referring to Sullivan without her preferred pronouns.
“Because I have no choice as a woman, as a female, in where I compete. I am a woman, and I have an athletic disadvantage to men.”
The fencer shared that she made the decision to take a knee the previous night when she realized who her opponent would be.
“When I took the knee, I looked at the ref and I said, ‘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.’”
She claimed that Sullivan didn’t hear what she told the referee, and thought she had taken a knee because she was injured.
“He doesn’t understand what’s happening. He asks, ‘Are you OK?’ And I said, ‘I’m sorry. I have much love and respect for you, but I will not fence you.’
“Redmond says to me, ‘Well, you know, there is a member on the board of directors 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,’ and I said, ‘I know.’”
She explained that she was given a copy of the association’s transgender policy, asked to sign a document acknowledging her disqualification, and was escorted away.
Sullivan’s team, Iconic Fencing Club, told The Daily Express US that she had followed every rule and guideline set forth by the FIE, the international fencing governing organization, and USA Fencing.
“She has every right to compete in the events that she qualifies for, and has long since met the criteria to do so,” the team stated, adding that Turner’s behavior “has no place” in a sport rooted in “sportsmanship and inclusion.”
USA Fencing confirmed that Sullivan had been disqualified for the match over the incident. In a statement, the organization said she was expelled for refusing to fence an opponent, regardless of the opponent’s gender identity.
Her actions violate International Fencing Federation rules, which prohibit fencers from refusing to compete against another fencer.
“USA Fencing’s responsibility is to ensure that all athletes, regardless of their personal positions, compete under the same rules established by our international federation,” the statement reads.
“According to the FIE (International Fencing Federation) Technical Rules, specifically Article t.113, a fencer is not permitted to refuse to fence another properly entered fencer for any reason.
“Under these rules, such a refusal results in disqualification and the corresponding sanctions. This policy exists to maintain fair competition standards and preserve the sport’s integrity.”
USA Fencing denied that Sullivan’s disqualification was “related to any personal statement,” stating it was the result of her “decision to decline to fence an eligible opponent.”
The organization enacted a policy for transgender and non-binary athletes in 2023.
Athletes who have transitioned from male to female can compete in USA Fencing-sanctioned competitions after completing a year of testosterone suppression treatment, the rule states.
Those who meet these requirements must provide proof of compliance with hormone therapy prior to competition.USA Fencing said the policy was designed “to expand access to the sport of fencing and create inclusive, safe spaces,” and that it’s “based on the principle that everyone should have the ability to participate in sports and was based upon the research available of the day.”
