A female fencer receives a severe punishment after refusing to compete against a transgender opponent, sparking controversy.
In a recent fencing event in Maryland, a female fencer received a severe penalty after she declined to compete against a transgender athlete.
This decision has sparked significant discussion about gender and sports.
Female fencer refused to compete against transgender opponent
Stephanie Turner was participating in the Cherry Blossom Open when she discovered she would face Redmond Sullivan, a transgender athlete.
Upon learning of this matchup, Turner decided she would not compete. However, she did not communicate her decision until the day of the event.
On the day of the match, Turner completed her warm-up and participated in several bouts.
When it was time to face Sullivan, she chose to kneel as a form of protest instead of competing.
Turner said: “Redmond was under the impression that I was going to start fencing.
So 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 felt strongly that the event should maintain its integrity by adhering to gender categories.
The opponent baffled by the action of the female fencer
Turner’s actions surprised her opponent, Redmond Sullivan. Sullivan had expected the match to proceed as scheduled.
Turner expressed her respect for Sullivan but remained firm in her decision not to compete.
Sullivan informed Turner that she could face a penalty for her refusal. Despite knowing this, Turner felt it was necessary to stand by her beliefs.
She continued: “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 blackcarded,’ and I said, ‘I know.'”
As anticipated, the referees issued Turner a black card. This card is the most serious penalty in fencing and can lead to disqualification from the event.
A representative from USA Fencing clarified that Turner was penalized not for her protest but for refusing to compete against an eligible opponent.
USA Fencing’s policy on transgender participation
USA Fencing has a policy that allows transgender athletes to compete according to their gender identity.
This policy was established to foster inclusion and provide opportunities for all athletes.
The rules state that a fencer cannot refuse to compete against another properly registered fencer. Violating this rule results in disqualification.
“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,” the spokesperson said.
“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.”
After receiving her penalty, Turner was taken before a committee to explain her actions.
She was given a copy of the association’s transgender policy and asked to sign a document acknowledging the black card.
Although she agreed to sign, she did so under protest. Following the meeting, she was escorted out of the venue.
Fencer Turner shared her experience after the incident
Turner stated that she knew her decision might have serious consequences.
She mentioned that this choice could potentially disrupt her life and career. Despite this, she remains resolute in her stance.
Turner believes that it is essential to advocate for women’s rights in sports and to challenge policies that she views as unfair.
“Something needs to be done, and there are activists who have embedded themselves in authoritative positions in sports bodies,” she said.
Social media reactions
One user said: Stephanie Turner is a hero. She refused to kowtow. NOT with hate. Nor intolerance. Because the fencing match was UNFAIR to her as a female.
Where is the regard and respect for girls and women in competitive athletics that was fought so ENORMOUSLY hard for over decades??!!
The second user wrote: Stephanie Turner did the right thing. I don’t blame her. If they want it to be fair why not do it male vs male, female vs female, transgender vs transgender, etc and go from there.
The third user commented: Redmond is a man not a woman, enough said.
I support woman refusing to to forced to fight a man in a woman’s sport
The fourth user said: This is a disgrace! Good for her taking a knee
Another user said: A lot of trans men like to fight on women’s sport ‘cause they can’t keep up with and most likely lose on the men’s category.