Female fencer who was given severe punishment for refusing to partake with transgender opponent speaks out

Stephanie Turner refused to face her fencing opponent (X/@icons_women)

The athlete went on to claim she used to avoid signing up for events where transgender athletes were competing.

However, she now partakes, alleging it’s too ‘expensive’ to cancel or avoid certain tournaments.

“Ultimately I’d never be able to fence if I was just avoiding every tournament where there was a transgender person,” she explained.

Recounting her protest, Turner claims she told Sullivan she would not be competing against her.

“I’m sorry, but I will not fence you. You’re a man, and I’m a woman, and this is a women’s tournament. I have much love and respect for you, but I will not fence you,” she allegedly told her opponent.

Turner then got down on one knee and refused to fight – earning her the black card.

Turner, who has been fencing for 12 years, claims Sullivan seemed ‘upset’ by her display.

“Redmond says to me, ‘Well you know, there is a member on the board of directors here who supports me, and there is a policy that acknowledges me as a woman, so I am allowed to fence, and you will get black carded,’ and I said, ‘I know’,” she told Fox News Digital.

The sportwoman was handed a black card, effectively ending her tournament (X/@icons_women)

Soon after, Turner was informed by a referee that she had forfeited her place in the tournament.

After being black-carded, she was asked to sign documentation acknowledging her surrender.

Turner believes it is ‘unfair’ that the United States Fencing Administration (USFA) allow transgender participation in female sports.

In a statement to UNILAD, a spokesperson for USA Fencing said Turner was not penalized for her protest, but for simply 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.”