Female fencer refuses to compete against trans opponent, takes knee before expulsion; Navratilova slams USA Fencing

A new transgender controversy in US sports has erupted after Stephanie Turner, a female fencer, was disqualified from a competition for refusing to fence against a transgender opponent. As per reports, the match was scheduled to take place at the Cherry Blossom D1A/Veteran Regional Open Circuit at the University of Maryland on Sunday (30 March). However, the fencing match didn’t take place.

Moments before the match was about to start, Turner took a knee and refused to take part in the contest against Redmond Sullivan, a transgender athlete. As a result, the referees issued a black card to Turner, expelling her from the tournament.

Turner explains taking knee against trans fencer

It has now been reported that the timing of Turner’s act was inspired by her aim to get her protest recorded.

“I saw that I was going to be in a pool with Redmond, and from there I said, ‘OK, let’s do it. I’m going to take the knee,’” Turner told Fox News Digital. “I knew what I had to do because USA Fencing had not been listening to women’s objections regarding [its gender eligibility policy].

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“I took a knee immediately at that point. Redmond was under the impression that I was going to start fencing. So 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.'

“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.”

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A USA Fencing spokesperson, while speaking to Fox News, said that Turner was not penalised due to refusing to battle a transgender athlete but for refusing to compete in a match.

“In the case of Stephanie Turner, her disqualification 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 spokesperson said.

“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. 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.”

Navratilova blasts USA Fencing for ‘anti-woman’ policy

Tennis legend Martina Navratilova, who has been vocal against including transgenders in women’s sports, slammed USA Fencing for throwing female athletes “under the gender bullshit bus.”

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!!!

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

In 2024, Sullivan reportedly gained attention after transferring to Wagner College’s women’s team following their participation in the men’s division. Later that year, at the Connecticut Division Junior Olympic Qualifiers in December, they secured first place in the Junior Women’s Foil event, outperforming five other competitors.