Overview

• Stephanie Turner was disqualified from a women's fencing tournament on March 30, 2025, after refusing to compete against Redmond Sullivan, a transgender athlete.
• Turner protested by kneeling on the piste and stating she would not compete against someone she did not consider a woman.
• USA Fencing clarified that Turner's disqualification was due to her refusal to compete, which violated competition rules, not her personal beliefs.
• The incident has reignited debates over transgender athletes in women's sports, aligning with recent U.S. federal actions restricting transgender participation.
• USA Fencing reaffirmed its commitment to inclusion, citing its 2023 policy allowing transgender athletes to compete according to their gender identity.