USA Fencing disqualifies feminine fencer for refusing to battle trans opponent

USA Fencing stated on Thursday its resolution to disqualify a feminine fencer from a latest occasion in Maryland after she refused to compete towards a transgender opponent was in keeping with guidelines established by the game’s governing physique.

The incident occurred on March 30 throughout a USA Fencing-sanctioned regional match that was not a Nationwide Collegiate Athletic Affiliation (NCAA) occasion.

On the match, Stephanie Turner discarded her masks and took a knee in protest forward of her bout towards transgender opponent Redmond Sullivan and was then issued a black card by the referee, leading to her expulsion from the occasion.

USA Fencing stated its duty is to make sure that all athletes, no matter their private positions, compete below the identical guidelines established by Worldwide Fencing Federation (FIE), the game’s governing physique.

“Within the case of Stephanie Turner, her disqualification, which applies to this match solely, was not associated to any private assertion however was merely the direct results of her resolution to say no to fence an eligible opponent, which the FIE guidelines clearly prohibit,” USA Fencing stated in an announcement.

“USA Fencing is obligated to comply with the letter of these guidelines and be sure that members respect the requirements set on the worldwide degree.”

Turner, talking to Fox Information Digital, stated she made the choice to take a knee the earlier evening when she realized whom she can be competing towards.

“Redmond was below the impression that I used to be going to start out fencing. So after I took the knee, I appeared on the ref and I stated, ‘I’m sorry, I can’t do that. I’m a girl, and this can be a man, and this can be a girls’s match. And I cannot fence this particular person.’” Turner instructed Fox Information, misgendering Sullivan.

The incident gained steam on social media on Wednesday with tennis nice and homosexual rights trailblazer Martina Navratilova, who has argued that trans girls have unfair bodily benefits, amongst these to weigh in.

“That is what occurs when feminine athletes protest! Anybody right here nonetheless thinks that is truthful??? I’m fuming… and disgrace on @USAFencing, disgrace on you for doing this. How dare you throw girls below the gender bullshit bus!!!” Navratilova stated on X.

USA Fencing enacted its present transgender and nonbinary athlete coverage in 2023, which it stated relies on the precept that everybody ought to have the flexibility to take part in sports activities and was primarily based upon the analysis accessible of the day.

“We perceive that the dialog on fairness and inclusion pertaining to transgender participation in sport is evolving,” stated USA Fencing.

“USA Fencing will all the time err on the aspect of inclusion, and we’re dedicated to amending the coverage as extra related evidence-based analysis emerges, or as coverage modifications take impact within the wider Olympic & Paralympic motion.”