In a Maryland fencing tournament over the weekend, a quiet act of protest ignited a storm at the intersection of sports, identity, and fairness. Stephanie Turner, a young female athlete representing the Fencing Academy of Philadelphia, took a knee and refused to fence against a transgender-identifying male competitor, Redmond Sullivan. The consequences were immediate and decisive: Turner was shown a black card and disqualified from the entire event.
The opponent in question, Sullivan, previously competed in male divisions but has since entered women’s competitions, in accordance with USA Fencing’s transgender athlete policy adopted in 2023.
After switching categories, Sullivan quickly rose through the ranks, winning top placements, including the Connecticut Division Junior Olympic Qualifiers — a transition that has not gone unnoticed in the competitive fencing world.
🤺🚨Historic Protest: Female Fencer Takes a Knee in Bout Against Male Opponent, Faces Immediate Disqualification
After receiving a black card for refusing to compete against a man, Redmond Sullivan's female opponent was expelled from the @USAFencing event at the Univ. of… pic.twitter.com/IloSnrb2Iu
— ICONS (@icons_women) April 2, 2025
Turner’s protest wasn’t loud, but it was unambiguous. Faced with a matchup she believed to be fundamentally unfair, she chose not to compete. Under current FIE (Fédération Internationale d'Escrime) rules, however, refusal to fence an eligible opponent is grounds for disqualification — a rule USA Fencing says it is obligated to uphold, regardless of motive or message.
USA Fencing was swift to clarify that Turner’s disqualification stemmed not from her personal views but strictly from her refusal to engage in competition. “We remain committed to inclusivity within our sport while also upholding every requirement dictated by our governing body,” said Bryan Wendell, USA Fencing’s communications director.
But the ramifications extend beyond tournament rules. The Independent Council on Women’s Sports (ICONS) quickly disseminated video footage of the incident, amplifying concerns about fairness in women’s athletics — concerns that continue to ripple across the sports landscape.
Critics argue that biological differences create insurmountable disparities in competitive environments, especially in sports demanding agility, speed, and endurance.
USA Fencing has defended its transgender inclusion policy, describing it as a framework built on inclusivity and the research available at the time of its adoption. The organization left the door open to future revisions as new evidence emerges or Olympic policies shift.