Female fencer receives award and huge prize after refusing to partake with transgender opponent

Stephanie Turner said she bowed out on safety grounds

Warning: This article contains discussion of discrimination against the trans community which some readers may find distressing.

A sportswoman who declined to compete against a transgender opponent has received an award for her ‘bravery’ from a campaign group.

Fencing Academy of Philadelphia team member Stephanie Turner was set to face off against 20-year-old Redmond Sullivan, a transgender athlete competing for the University of Maryland, at a USA Fencing tournament on March 30, but instead gave up the fight.

In protest, Turner removed her mask and took a knee on the piste before informing Sullivan that she would not engage in the match, allegedly telling her opponent: “I’m sorry, but I will not fence you. You’re a man, and I’m a woman, and this is a women’s tournament. I have much love and respect for you, but I will not fence you.”

The 31-year-old was given a black card by the referee for her forfeit which, according to the Academy of Fencing Masters, represents a severe punishment that marks the ‘definitive and negative end of competition for a fencer’ who has broken the code of honor.

Turner said she backed out because she didn’t want to ‘get hurt’ by her opponent, claiming it was for her ‘own physical safety’.

However, the fencer has since gained an ally in the XX-XY Athletics group, a campaign group working to ‘protect women’s sport’.

Its mission statement reads: “Sex matters. It is the single biggest determinant of athletic performance. It is unfair and dangerous to allow males (XY) to compete in girls and women’s (XX) sports.

“For women to compete safely and fairly, women’s sports need to remain female.”

The athletic brand has now awarded Turner with its Courage Wins Award plus a $5,000 prize and admittance into its leadership program.

Turner has been given an award for her ‘courage’ (X/@icons_women)

XX-XY Athletics founder Jennifer Sey said in a statement that Turner ‘became more powerful than any male when she took a knee’ and described the decade-long female fencer as ‘a real hero.’

The group also says it aims to ‘take the sting out of monetary cancelation’ and give them a ‘platform’ where they have ‘community’ and ‘support’, The Daily Mail reports.

Sia Liilii had won the award from the group previously after leading her University of Nevada volleyball team to boycott a game against San Jose State University after learning about its trans player, The Daily Mail further reports.

In a statement to UNILAD, a spokesperson for USA Fencing said Turner was not penalized for her protest, but for simply refusing to fence an ‘eligible opponent’.

“According to the FIE (International Fencing Federation) Technical Rules, specifically Article t.113, a fencer is not permitted to refuse to fence another properly entered fencer for any reason,” the spokesperson continued.

The fencer said she declined to participate in the match for fears of her ‘physical safety’ (Fox Digital)

“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.”

It also said that it ‘understands’ the conversation around trans people in sports is ‘evolving’, adding: “We 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 & Paralympic movement.

“We respect the viewpoints on all sides and encourage our members to continue sharing them with us as the matter evolves.

“It’s important for the fencing community to engage in this dialogue, but we expect this conversation to be conducted respectfully, whether at our tournaments or in online spaces. The way to progress is by respectful discussion based in evidence.”

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the LGBT national hotline at 888-843-4564, available Monday to Friday 4pm-12am ET and 12pm-5pm ET on Saturdays.