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Fencer Stephanie Turner Protests Against Transgender Inclusion at Cherry Blossom Open
At the Cherry Blossom Open in Maryland, women’s fencer Stephanie Turner took a bold stand against participating in a bout with transgender athlete Redmond Sullivan. The incident, which drew considerable attention, occurred when Turner decided not to compete against Sullivan, asserting her belief in the integrity of women’s sports.
Turner, 31, made her decision the night before the event after discovering she would be competing in the same pool as Sullivan, who has been a topic of discussion in the sporting community. “When I saw that I would be competing against Redmond, I knew what I had to do,” she explained to Fox News Digital. “I said to myself, ‘I’m going to take the knee.’”
Throughout the day, she completed her warm-ups and participated in four successful bouts leading up to her match with Sullivan. However, as the bout approached, Turner felt increasingly nervous but remained resolute in her choice. “I took a knee immediately,” she stated. “Redmond thought I was going to start fencing, and when I took the knee, I told the referee, ‘I’m sorry, I cannot do this. I am a woman, and this is a man. I will not fence this individual.’
Turner expressed her respect for Sullivan yet stood firm in her decision. Sullivan, initially unaware of Turner’s intention, approached to see if she was alright. To this, Turner reiterated her stance, stating, “I have much love and respect for you, but I will not fence you.” Following her protest, USA Fencing swiftly took action against Turner.
Turner recalled that Sullivan informed her of support from the organization’s board and warned her that she might face severe consequences. Shortly thereafter, the referees issued Turner a black card, which denotes a serious penalty leading to disqualification from the event. Turner recounted the moment: “I was taken to the bout committee, where I explained my actions. They handed me a copy of the association’s transgender policy and made me sign a document acknowledging the black card, which I did under objection.”
After this, Turner was escorted out of the tournament venue. In response to the incident, USA Fencing released a statement outlining their transgender and non-binary athlete policy implemented in 2023, emphasizing their commitment to inclusivity in the sport. They expressed their respect for diverse opinions on this sensitive matter and encouraged ongoing dialogue within the fencing community.
A USA Fencing spokesperson clarified that Turner’s disqualification was not a penalization for her views on trans participation, but for her refusal to compete against an eligible opponent, as per the governing body’s rules. The spokesperson noted, “A fencer is not permitted to refuse to fence another properly entered fencer for any reason,” indicating that such a refusal would typically lead to disqualification.
Reflecting on her decision, Turner highlighted her attempts to avoid these situations in the past by opting not to participate in events where she knew transgender fencers would be competing. “In previous years, when I had known about transgender fencers being present, I just wouldn’t register,” she said. For the Cherry Blossom Open, however, she resolved that, if required, she would publicly take a stand.
For Turner, this protest was not without personal cost. She expressed concern that her actions might significantly alter her life, both in the fencing community and her relationships, particularly with LGBT friends who were unaware of her stance. A self-identified lifelong Democrat, Turner articulated her frustration with the current Democratic alignment on transgender participation in women’s sports, stating she now identifies as a “new Republican conservative” and had voted for Republican candidates as a result.
“I believe something needs to be done,” she said, criticizing the prominence of activists in influential sports positions. Turner also referenced the struggles faced by women who have championed similar causes, noting the harassment and backlash they have experienced.
As the dialogue continues regarding transgender inclusion in women’s sports, Turner’s actions at the Cherry Blossom Open serve as a focal point in this broader conversation, highlighting existing tensions and differing perspectives within the sporting world.
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