Fencer disqualified after refusing to participate with transgender opponent speaks out
Warning: This article contains discussion of discrimination against the trans community which some readers may find distressing.
A fencer who refused to join in a match with a transgender opponent at an event in Maryland has spoken out.
Over the weekend beginning March 29, fencers Stephanie Turner and Redmond Sullivan were set to compete at a regional tournament as part of the Cherry Blossom Open held by the UFSA at the University of Maryland.
However, Turner refused to compete against Sullivan - who is a transgender athlete - bending to her knee, which ultimately saw her expelled from the event.
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Turner has since spoken out about her decision and what happened in the build up to it, revealing she checked the online registration prior to the competition to see who was going to be there and check her check-in times.
She saw Sullivan's name listed there and recognized her from an article and reflected to FOX News she 'got really disappointed' and 'felt at a loss'.
Turner then got down on one knee and the official came over and asked if she was refusing to fence.
"Initially, I told them that I was refusing to fence because this person is a man and I am a woman and this is a woman's tournament and I refuse to fence on principle," she said.
She explained Sullivan was 'confused' thinking she'd been 'hurt' and came up to her asking if she was okay to which Turner replied: "I’m sorry. I have much love and respect for you, but I will not fence you'."
Sullivan tried to explain there was a member of the board of directors here and they supported her alongside referencing a policy saying she's allowed to compete, warning her fellow athlete she'd get 'black carded'.
However, Turner didn't budge and was ultimately eliminated from the competition.
Turner said: "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 so I compete in the woman's division."
Turner argued Sullivan could compete in either division or at 'mixed events in local tournaments' and she wouldn't have chosen to register if she'd known about transgender fencers being present, but Sullivan 'must have signed up after' her.
She added: "I was like, ‘You know what, I’m just going to give it to God. If this person shows up to my event and is on my script, then I would take a knee, and that would be God's will'."
Turner voiced it was 'very hard' for her to make the call to refuse to compete and it will 'probably, at least for a moment, destroy [her] life'.
What has Sullivan's team said?
Sullivan's team has since addressed the tournament too, arguing she has 'followed every rule and guideline set forth by the FIE (the international fencing governing organisation) and USA Fencing (the national organisation)'.
Sullivan' team, Iconic Fencing Club, told the Daily Express US in a statement that she has 'every right to compete in the events that she qualifies for, and has long since met the criteria to do so'.
The statement continued: "Fencing is rooted in a deep tradition of honour, sportsmanship, inclusion, and respect, and in a sport that prides itself on these values, the type of behaviour expressed by Red’s opponent has no place.
"Iconic Fencing Club supports Red in her fencing journey and will continue to do so in the future."
What has USA Fencing said?
In a statement to UNILAD, a spokesperson for USA Fencing said Turner was penalized simply for refusing to fence an 'eligible opponent'.
"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."
USA Fencing provided a statement to Fox News Digital drawing on its current transgender and non-binary athlete policy in 2023 'designed to expand access to the sport of fencing and create inclusive, safe space'.
It resolved: "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.
"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."
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the LGBT national hotline at 888-843-4564, available Monday to Friday 4pm-12am ET and 12pm-5pm ET on Saturdays.
Poppy Bilderbeck