Rhiannon Ingle
Warning: This article contains discussion of discrimination against the trans community which some readers may find distressing.
The fencer who was punished for refusing to face her trans opponent has revealed why she signed up to the event despite knowing she could face a trans opponent.
Stephanie Turner was scheduled to take on trans fencer Redmond Sullivan in Maryland last weekend for the Cherry Blossom Open, but instead, refused altogether with footage from the controversial moment now going viral on social media after racking up millions of views online.
In the clips, Turner could be seen ripping off her fencing mask and tossing it away before kneeling before Sullivan, who herself appeared visibly shocked by the move.
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Turner's protest has greatly divided fans of the sport, some of whom have slammed organisers for the 'massive punishment' they've handed her by throwing her out of the tournament.
Turner, who reportedly found out that Sullivan would be competing the night before the event, has since explained that while she usually doesn’t sign up for events where transgender athletes are competing, she recently decided that such a decision is 'not sustainable'.
"It’s not as if I can just continue to keep canceling or avoiding tournaments, because that becomes expensive - and then ultimately I’d never be able to fence if I was just avoiding every tournament where there was a transgender person," she told the NY Post.
"I started crying because … I find that to be unfair, and I got disappointed with the USFA for continuing to allow this," Turner said, referring to the United States Fencing Administration’s rules governing transgender participation in female sports.
Explaining why she chose to kneel, Turner, who competes for the Fencing Academy of Philadelphia, declared: "I think this is a model of peaceful protest that’s highly visible and can make the sports governing bodies realise that there are more people against these policies than they may realise."
Turner had previously spoken to press about her decision to take a knee.
Speaking to FOX News, she said: "When I took the knee, I looked at the ref and I said, 'I’m sorry, I cannot do this. I am a woman, and this is a man, and this is a women’s tournament. And I will not fence this individual."
She continued: "Redmond says to me, 'Well you know, there is a member on the board of directors here who supports me, and there is a policy that acknowledges me as a woman, so I am allowed to fence, and you will get black carded', and I said, 'I know.'"
Following Turner's protest, the fencing board later said in an official statement: "USA Fencing enacted our current transgender and non-binary athlete policy in 2023.
"The policy was designed to expand access to the sport of fencing and create inclusive, safe spaces. The policy is based on the principle that everyone should have the ability to participate in sports and was based upon the research available of the day."
The message continued: "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."
Sullivan's team Iconic Fencing Club also previously told the Daily Express US: "Red has followed every rule and guideline set forth by the FIE (the international fencing governing organisation) and USA Fencing (the national organisation).
"She has every right to compete in the events that she qualifies for, and has long since met the criteria to do so.
"Fencing is rooted in a deep tradition of honour, sportsmanship, inclusion, and respect, and in a sport that prides itself on these values, the type of behaviour expressed by Red’s opponent has no place.
"Iconic Fencing Club supports Red in her fencing journey and will continue to do so in the future."
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the LGBT Foundation on 0345 3 30 30 30, 10am–6pm Monday to Friday, or email [email protected]