Fencer disqualified for refusal to compete against transgender opponent – BBC Sport:
A fencer was disqualified from a women’s competition in the United States after refusing to compete against a transgender opponent.
Stephanie Turner took a knee in protest after standing on the piste before her bout against Redmond Sullivan at the University of Maryland.
She was shown a black card and informed she would not be allowed to continue in the women’s foil tournament.
International Fencing Federation (FIE) rules state a fencer is not permitted to refuse to fence another properly entered fencer for any reason.
USA Fencing, which enacted its transgender and non-binary policy in 2023, said: “The policy is based on the principle that everyone should have the ability to participate in sports and was based upon the research available of the day.”
It added: “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, or as policy changes take effect in the wider Olympic and Paralympic movement.”
Explaining her decision, Turner – of the Fencing Academy of Philadelphia – told Fox News, external: “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.’
“I knew what I had to do because USA Fencing had not been listening to women’s objections regarding [its gender eligibility policy],” she added.
This is what courage looks like, and courage is part of what sports teaches. In the meantime USA Fencing, with their gibberish about “inclusion” (which is not what competitive sports is about), has beclowned themselves.