By Andrew Stanton Weekend Staff Writer
A female fencer was disqualified from competing in a match over the weekend after refusing to compete against a transgender athlete.
Newsweek reached out to both athletes for comment.
Why It Matters
Americans hold complex views on gender and sexual orientation issues. While many polls show that acceptance for LGBTQ+ rights has generally increased over the past 20 years, most Americans are less supportive of transgender girls and women participating in women's sports. A Gallup poll from May 2023 found that 69 percent of Americans believe transgender people should play on teams that match their sex assigned at birth.
The incident reflects the divide in the major culture war battle as sports leagues grapple with how to balance the inclusion of transgender athletes with fairness for all athletes involved.
Proponents of limiting transgender athletes' involvement say it is necessary to ensure the sport is safe for cisgender athletes, but critics say these efforts are intended to stigmatize a community already at risk of mental health concerns.
What to Know
A video showing fencer Stephanie Turner take a knee rather than compete against a transgender athlete named Redmond Sullivan has gone viral on social media, being viewed more than one million times on X (formerly Twitter). The video, posted by the Independent Council on Women's Sports, shows Turner being disqualified from the match over her refusal to compete against Sullivan.
USA Fencing confirmed in a statement to Newsweek that Turner had been disqualified over the incident. The statement says that her refusal to compete against Sullivan violates International Fencing Federation rules prohibiting fencers from refusing to compete against another fencer.
"USA Fencing's responsibility is to ensure that all athletes, regardless of their personal positions, compete under the same rules established by our international federation. 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 statement reads.
It continues: "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."
USA Fencing said that Turner was not disqualified "related to any personal statement," but that the decision was "merely the direct result of her decision to decline to fence an eligible opponent, which the FIE rules clearly prohibit."
"USA Fencing is obligated to follow the letter of those rules and ensure that participants respect the standards set at the international level. We remain committed to inclusivity within our sport while also upholding every requirement dictated by our governing body," the statement reads.
The organization unveiled a policy for transgender athletes in 2023.
For athletes who have transitioned from male to female, the policy reads, "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."
What People Are Saying
USA Fencing to Newsweek: "We understand that the conversation on equity and inclusion pertaining to transgender participation in sport is evolving. 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 & Paralympic movement."
Tennis Player Martina Navratilova on X: "This is what happens when female athletes protest! Anyone here still thinks this is fair??? I am fuming... and shame on @USAFencing, shame on you for doing this. How dare you throw women under the gender bulls*** bus!!!"
Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson in a statement about bans on transgender women competing in women's sports: "We all want sports to be fair, students to be safe, and young people to have the opportunity to participate alongside their peers. But an attempted blanket ban deprives kids of those things."
What Happens Next
The debate over transgender athletes' inclusion in sports will likely continue over the coming months.
This tracks his records when he was competing against men and women.
