Stephanie Turner took a knee in protest when she faced transgender opponent Redmond Sullivan
Female fencer Stephanie Turner has been awarded $5,000 by XX-XY Athletics after refusing to compete against transgender opponent Redmond Sullivan.
The incident occurred at a USA Fencing tournament on March 30, where Turner took a knee in protest.
The company, which describes itself as “the only athletic brand that stands up for women’s sports”, presented Turner with its “Courage Wins Award” on Monday.
Turner will also be admitted into a leadership programme run by the organisation.
Stephanie Turner took the knee in protest after refusing to face her transgender opponentXMoments before she was meant to face Sullivan, Turner removed her mask and took a knee.
“I’m sorry,” she is believed to have said to Sullivan. “I have a lot of love and respect for you, but I will not fence you.
“You’re a man, and I’m a woman, and this is a women’s tournament.”
After refusing to compete, Turner was issued a “blackcard” by fencing officials, which suspended her from the competition.
The 31-year-old fencer from the Fencing Academy of Philadelphia has competed in more than 200 fencing matches, including national championships.
XX-XY Athletics founder Jennifer Sey praised Turner’s actions in a press release.
“By taking a knee, she became more powerful than any male. She stood her ground to fight for women’s sports,” Sey said. “She’s a hero.”
The company, which has anti-trans activist Riley Gaines as an ambassador, aims to support women who take similar stances.
“We aim to take the sting out of monetary cancelation and platform these women,” Sey added. “They have community. They have support. They will not stand alone.”
American fencing star Stephanie Turner feared being targeted for her views after refusing to face a transgender opponent
XUSA Fencing later released a statement explaining that Turner’s disqualification was “not related to any personal statement”.
The organisation said it was “the direct result of her decision to decline to fence an eligible opponent, which the FIE [International Fencing Federation] rules clearly prohibit”.
USA Fencing defended transgender inclusion in the sport, noting its policy enacted in 2023 “was designed to expand access to the sport of fencing and create inclusive, safe spaces”.
“USA Fencing will always err on the side of inclusion,” the statement added.
Turner was disqualified after refusing to compete against a transgender competitorGB NewsIn an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, Turner revealed she had been scared to approach USA Fencing with her concerns due to pro-trans views of high-ranking officials within the governing body.
Sullivan, who switched from Wagner College’s men’s team to its women’s squad last year, ultimately placed 24th out of 39 in the competition.
According to XX-XY Athletics, Sullivan had fared better at the Connecticut Division Summer National Qualifiers earlier in March, finishing first.
Turner had previously stated that avoiding competitions featuring transgender athletes was becoming financially difficult.
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