USA Fencing defends decision to be inclusive of trans players

A cisgender woman was disqualified from a recent fencing match because she refused to fight her transgender opponent. The incident was captured on video, which went viral after it was posted to social media. The disqualified fighter described the issue as serious, while the USA Fencing Association defended the disqualification and its policies for transgender and nonbinary competitors.

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Stephanie Turner, 31, was competing in the regional tournament at the University of Maryland on March 30 when she took a knee at the start of a match rather than fight her transgender opponent. A judge quickly stopped the match, issued a black card, and disqualified Turner from the tournament.

The entire incident was captured on video. After the video garnered criticism online, USA Fencing issued a statement saying the judge acted appropriately in disqualifying Turner.

“A fencer is not permitted to refuse to fence another properly entered fencer for any reason,” USA Fencing said in a statement provided to the Associated Press. “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.”

Related: What does the science say about transgender women in sports?

Turner disagreed with the ruling and USA Fencing’s policies on trans and nonbinary athletes in the sport.

Turner went on Fox News and claimed that the situation was a civil rights issue.

USA Fencing’s transgender and nonbinary policy states that “Athletes being treated with testosterone suppression medication, for the purposes of USA Fencing-sanctioned competitions may continue to compete in men’s events, but may only compete in women’s events after completing one calendar year (12 months) of testosterone suppression treatment. Proof of compliant hormone therapy must be provided prior to competition.”

Out tennis legend Martina Navratilova, who has a history of posting anti-transgender comments about trans women in sports, took to social media to express her displeasure with USA Fencing.

“Anyone here still thinks this is fair?” Navratilova posted to X. “I am fuming.”

USA Fencing further responded to the criticisms by reaffirming its commitment to its policies in a statement posted to social media.

“While we understand there are a range of perspectives, USA Fencing will continue to engage in respectful, research based dialogue and review as policy evolves in the Olympic & Paralympic movement as well as domestic law, hate speech or targeted hate of any kind is not acceptable – online or in person,” USA Fencing posted to social media.

President Donald Trump in January signed an executive order entitled “No Men in Women’s Sports” that sought to ban transgender women and girls from playing in sports aligned with their gender identity. White House officials said the move was a rejection of the Biden administration’s new Title IX rule recognizing transgender athletes.

Turner’s disqualification only applies to the regional tournament and does not apply to any future USA Fencing-sanctioned events.