USA Fencing responds after Stephanie Turner disqualified for refusing to face trans woman
Stephanie Turner was disqualified after refusing to compete against a trans woman. (Getty)
USA Fencing has issued a statement after fencer Stephanie Turner who was disqualified for refusing to compete against a trans competitor.
Turner, 31, was shown a black card during a Sunday (30 March) women’s foil tournament after she refused to compete against trans competitor Red Sullivan.
In the lead-up to the University of Maryland match, Turner, who later misgendered her opponent, took the knee in front of Sullivan and refused to begin the match.
Officials disqualified her during the tournament for violating the International Fencing Federation (FIE) policy that states a fencer cannot refuse to compete against a properly entered fencer for any reason.
Speaking to Fox News on her disqualification, Turner allegedly turned to the referee after taking a knee and 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.”
Despite Turner’s opinions on the matter, USA Fencing policy permits trans women to compete in women’s tournaments.
The US governing body responded following the incident, saying that it does not tolerate hate speech or “targeted hate of any kind.”
“USA Fencing remains committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful community for everyone in our sport, ” a statement published on Thursday (3 April) read. “We believe in the principle of creating safe communities where all athletes, and community members, have a place.”
The statement continued that USA Fencing officials “understand there are a range of perspectives,” adding that it aims to “engage in respectful, research-based dialogue and review as policy evolves in the Olympic and Paralympic movement as well as domestic law.”
Concerns over the future of trans inclusion in the Olympics and Paralympics have risen following the appointment of new IOC chief Kirsty Coventry, who has said she aims to “protect the female category” from trans athletes.
Speaking to BBC Sport, USA Fencing added that, “in the case of Stephanie Turner,” the athlete’s disqualification 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 will always err on the side of inclusion, and we’re committed to amending the policy as more relevant evidence-based research emerges,” a spokesperson continued.
Redmond Sullivan went on to finish 24th overall in a tournament of 39 competitors during the annual Cherry Blossom tournament.
