Stephanie Turner, a female fencer, recently gained attention and a $5,000 award for her protest against competing with a transgender opponent. During a USA Fencing tournament on March 30, Turner was scheduled to face Redmond Sullivan, a transgender woman. Instead of competing, Turner took a knee in protest, declaring she would not participate. This action led to her receiving a black card, which excluded her from the competition.

Stephanie Turner, 31, took a knee and walked out of her match against a transgender rival

The incident thrust Turner into the center of a heated debate about the participation of transgender athletes in women’s sports. Turner expressed her concerns about discussing the issue publicly, fearing repercussions from officials who support transgender inclusion. Despite these fears, she found a powerful ally in XX-XY Athletics, a group advocating for women’s sports. They awarded her the Courage Wins Award, along with a $5,000 prize and entry into a leadership program.

Jennifer Sey, founder of XX-XY Athletics, praised Turner for her stance, stating that by taking a knee, Turner became a powerful advocate for women’s sports. Sey emphasized that the organization aims to support women who face backlash for their views and actions regarding transgender participation in sports.

Turner was disqualified from her tournament after taking a knee and refusing to compete

Turner’s protest is part of a broader conversation on the inclusion of transgender athletes. USA Fencing clarified that her disqualification was due to her refusal to compete, not her personal beliefs. They reiterated their commitment to creating inclusive spaces and supporting transgender athletes, aligning with their policy established in 2023.

Turner explained that she was hesitant to raise her concerns with USA Fencing officials due to their pro-transgender stance. She worried about potential bias from referees and losing friendships. Her strategy had been to avoid tournaments with known transgender competitors, but she felt increasingly cornered by the situation.

This issue has been further amplified by an executive order from President Trump, which bans transgender women from competing in women’s sports. This order has significant implications, as non-compliant schools risk losing federal funding. The University of Pennsylvania, for example, had $175 million in federal funding frozen as a result.

Turner was slated to compete agaisnt Redmond Sullivan, a transgender woman

The debate over transgender athletes in women’s sports continues to grow, with other athletes like disc golfer Abigail Wilson also taking a stand. Wilson refused to compete against a transgender opponent, arguing for the protection of female divisions. Her actions, like Turner’s, highlight the ongoing tension and discussions surrounding fairness and inclusion in sports.

Overall, Stephanie Turner’s protest and subsequent recognition have brought significant attention to the complex issue of transgender athletes in women’s sports, sparking discussions on fairness, inclusion, and the future of competitive sports.