US Fencer Kneels in Protest Against Transgender Opponent and Gets Expelled

American fencer Stefanie Turner protested by kneeling against her opponent, Redmond Sullivan, who is transgender, during a match at the University of Maryland. Turner was subsequently expelled from the tournament without a fight against her transgender opponent due to rules set by the International Fencing Federation (FIE), which prohibit any fencer from refusing to compete against another declared participant. The policy regarding transgender and non-binary individuals in fencing changed in 2023, allowing Sullivan’s participation, sparking heated debates and going viral on social media. ‘The policy is based on the principle that everyone should have the opportunity to participate in sports,’ stated the organizing authority. In response, Turner explained her decision to kneel: ‘I knew what I had to do because USA Fencing hadn’t listened to women’s concerns about their eligibility policy based on gender. When I knelt, I looked at the referee and said: ‘I’m sorry, I can’t do this. I am a woman, and this is a man, and this is a women’s tournament. And I will not compete against this person.’ It’s worth noting that recently, former U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order barring biologically male athletes from competing in women’s sports.