By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2025-04-03 17:57:45 | Updated at 2025-04-04 23:18:36
1 day ago
A female fencer was expelled from a USA Fencing tournament after she refused to take on a transgender competitor who was born biologically male — sparking widespread fury from critics who ripped the “massive punishment” as an “injustice.”
Stephanie Turner opted to take a knee rather than compete against trans fencer Redmond Sullivan at the Cherry Blossom Open in Maryland over the weekend, a now-viral video shows.
The footage, already viewed online more than 4 million times, shows Turner preparing to duel — just to abruptly tear off her mask, toss it aside and kneel in front of her stunned-looking opponent.
Stephanie Turner opted to take a knee rather than compete against trans fencer, Redmond Sullivan, at the Cherry Blossom Open in Maryland over the weekend, a viral clip of the saga shows. X / @icons_women“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’,” Turner told Fox News of her decision to protest.
The two athletes could be seen exchanging words for several moments before a referee eventually approached and dealt Turner a black card — signaling a serious rule infraction or unsportsmanlike behavior.
“Redmond didn’t hear me, and he comes up to me, and he thinks that I may be hurt, or 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’,” Turner said, without using her planned opponent’s preferred pronouns.
“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.'”
The Independent Council on Women’s Sports shared footage of the encounter on X — sparking immediate backlash over Turner’s disqualification.
“This is what happens when female athletes protest!” tennis legend Martina Navratilova wrote.
“Anyone here still thinks this is fair??? I am fuming… and shame on @USAFencing, shame on you for doing this. How dare you throw women under the gender bulls–t bus!!!”
“As a retired D1 @NCAA fencer, I was forced to compete against men who claimed to be women. Female athletes dedicate our lives to our sport, only to have men take our spots, our titles, and our future,” former NCAA fencer Juliana Peceli wrote on X.
“Kudos to the women who refuse to accept this injustice.”
USA Fencing maintained that Turner “was not related to any personal statement but was merely the direct result of her decision to decline to fence an eligible opponent.”
“USA Fencing is obligated to follow the letter of those rules and ensure that participants respect the standards set at the international level,” it said.
That current policy for transgender and non-binary competitors was updated in 2023, the sport’s governing body stated.
“The policy was designed to expand access to the sport of fencing and create inclusive, safe spaces. The policy is based on the principle that everyone should have the ability to participate in sports and was based upon the research available of the day,” the statement added.
“We respect the viewpoints on all sides and encourage our members to continue sharing them with us as the matter evolves. It’s important for the fencing community to engage in this dialogue, but we expect this conversation to be conducted respectfully, whether at our tournaments or in online spaces. The way to progress is by respectful discussion based in evidence.”
