A recent incident at a USA Fencing tournament has sparked outrage after a female fencer was disqualified for taking a knee in protest of competing against a transgender athlete.
The incident, which took place at the University of Maryland on March 30 during the USA Fencing-sanctioned regional tournament “The Cherry Blossom – D1A/VET ROC,” was captured in a viral video posted by the Independent Council on Women’s Sports, or ICONS.
In the video, fencer Stephanie Turner can be seen taking a knee instead of competing against Redmond Sullivan, a transgender athlete who switched from the men’s fencing team to the women’s team while at Wagner College last year. Sullivan, who had previously competed in women’s events, was registered to compete at this tournament, which Turner was unaware of until the night before.
Turner, a staunch advocate of preserving women’s sports, explained her stance to the Washington Examiner.
“As a woman fencing in a women’s tournament, I do not believe men should fence in my category,” Turner said. “I was not aware Mr. Sullivan was registered until the night before the tournament. I prayed about it and decided that if Mr. Sullivan and I were to fence face-to-face, I would peaceably protest by taking a knee.”
The protest, however, resulted in Turner’s disqualification.
This is what happens when female athletes protest! 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 bullshit bus!!! https://t.co/2ojOJvJiLx
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) April 2, 2025
According to USA Fencing, Turner violated its rules by refusing to compete against “an eligible opponent.” USA Fencing defended its decision, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the International Fencing Federation, or FIE, technical rules, which prohibit any fencer from refusing to face another properly entered fencer, leading to a black card and disqualification.
“In the case of Stephanie Turner, her disqualification, which applies to this tournament only, was not related to any personal statement but was merely the direct result of her decision to decline to fence an eligible opponent, which the FIE rules clearly prohibit,” the organization said in a statement given to the Washington Examiner. “USA Fencing is obligated to follow the letter of those rules and ensure that participants respect the standards set at the international level. We remain committed to inclusivity within our sport while also upholding every requirement dictated by our governing body.”
Tennis legend Martina Navratilova expressed her fury over the disqualification, slamming USA Fencing for their stance.
“This is what happens when female athletes protest! 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*** bus!!!” Navratilova wrote in a post on X.
Turner emphasized that her action was on behalf of all female athletes.
“This act makes my stance known to the USFA, Mr. Sullivan, and all other female competitors,” Turner said. “I hope it also inspires other female athletes.”
Turner has previously avoided tournaments where she knew a transgender athlete was competing, including the 2023 Summer Nationals where transgender fencer Eden Philpott participated. Despite her efforts, she said her decisions went unnoticed by the governing bodies.
USA Fencing, which enacted its current transgender and nonbinary athlete policy in 2023, defended its stance on inclusion.
“The policy was designed to expand access to the sport of fencing and create inclusive, safe spaces,” a USA Fencing spokesperson explained.
USA Fencing also noted that the conversation on equity and inclusion in sports is still evolving and promised to amend the policy as new research and evidence emerge.
Turner, however, said she remains resolute in her mission to protect women’s sports.
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“I want to thank God for trusting me with this mission to fight for female-exclusive sports and putting me in a place to effectively protest,” she said. “I am grateful to ICONS for their encouragement and support. They have helped me and so many other women who have been put in this unfair and confusing situation.”
This event comes amid growing debates about the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports, with some, including President Donald Trump, advocating policies that bar biological men from competing against women.
