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“Just A Bigot”: Female Fencer Breaks Silence After Refusing To Compete Against Trans Athlete
Fencer Stephanie Turner has spoken out after being disqualified for taking a knee and refusing to compete against a transgender opponent.
The incident occurred on March 30 during a USA Fencing-sanctioned tournament in Maryland. Footage of the controversial moment has since been viewed over 7 million times on X (formerly Twitter).
Turner removed her mask and took a knee in protest ahead of her bout against fencer Redmond Sullivan. As a result, the referee issued her a black card, disqualifying her from the event.
Highlights
- Stephanie Turner stood by her decision to take a knee and refuse to fence against trans athlete Redmond Sullivan.
- Turner was disqualified for the incident, as she violated rules prohibiting fencers from refusing to compete against another fencer.
- In a new interview, she misgendered Sullivan and said she knew that her actions would get her disqualified.
Speaking to Fox News, Stephanie stated that she “had no choice” but to refuse the bout.
BP Daily - Your Source for Unbiased Reporting
Stephanie Turner was disqualified from a fencing tournament in Maryland, USA, for refusing to compete against transgender opponent Redmond Sullivan
Image credits: Ahmet Kurt/Unsplash
“There’s nothing for me, and there’s everything for him,” she said, referring to Sullivan without her preferred pronouns.
“Because I have no choice as a woman, as a female, in where I compete. I am a woman, and I have an athletic disadvantage to men.”
The fencer shared that she made the decision to take a knee the previous night when she realized who her opponent would be.
“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.'”
Image credits: Fox News
She claimed that Sullivan didn’t hear what she told the referee, and thought she had taken a knee because she was injured.
“He doesn’t understand what’s happening. He asks, ‘Are you OK?’ And I said, ‘I’m sorry. I have much love and respect for you, but I will not fence you.’
“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.'”
Turner took a knee to protest the inclusion of Sullivan, who USA Fencing said was an eligible opponent
Image credits: icons_women
She explained that she was given a copy of the association’s transgender policy, asked to sign a document acknowledging her disqualification, and was escorted away.
Sullivan’s team, Iconic Fencing Club, told The Daily Express US that she had followed every rule and guideline set forth by the FIE, the international fencing governing organization, and USA Fencing.
“She has every right to compete in the events that she qualifies for, and has long since met the criteria to do so,” the team stated, adding that Turner’s behavior “has no place” in a sport rooted in “sportsmanship and inclusion.”
Image credits: icons_women
USA Fencing confirmed that Sullivan had been disqualified for the match over the incident. In a statement, the organization said she was expelled for refusing to fence an opponent, regardless of the opponent’s gender identity.
Her actions violate International Fencing Federation rules, which prohibit 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,” the statement reads.
“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.
“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.”
Turner stated she “had no choice” but to refuse the match, citing an athletic disadvantage for cis women competing against trans women
Image credits: Reduxx
USA Fencing denied that Sullivan’s disqualification was “related to any personal statement,” stating it was the result of her “decision to decline to fence an eligible opponent.”
The organization enacted a policy for transgender and non-binary athletes in 2023.
Athletes who have transitioned from male to female can compete in USA Fencing-sanctioned competitions after completing a year of testosterone suppression treatment, the rule states.
Those who meet these requirements must provide proof of compliance with hormone therapy prior to competition.
Image credits: icons_women
USA Fencing said the policy was designed “to expand access to the sport of fencing and create inclusive, safe spaces,” and that it’s “based on the principle that everyone should have the ability to participate in sports and was based upon the research available of the day.”
She was disqualified for violating International Fencing Federation rules, which prohibit fencers from refusing to compete against another fencer
🤺🚨Historic Protest: Female Fencer Takes a Knee in Bout Against Male Opponent, Faces Immediate Disqualification
After receiving a black card for refusing to compete against a man, Redmond Sullivan’s female opponent was expelled from the @USAFencing event at the Univ. of… pic.twitter.com/IloSnrb2Iu
— ICONS (@icons_women) April 2, 2025
Image credits: icons_women
Image credits: USAFencing
The organization told Fox News: “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 on evidence.”
Before the bout, she told the referee: “I am a woman, and this is a man, and this is a women’s tournament. And I will not fence this individual”
Image credits: Fox News
The moment gained further traction when tennis player and gay rights advocate Martina Navratilova expressed support for Turner on X.
She wrote: “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!!!”
Tennis player and gay rights advocate Martina Navratilova supported Turner on social media
Image credits: Martina
Image credits: Martina
Image credits: Fox News
A Gallup poll from 2023 found that 69% of Americans believe transgender athletes should only be allowed to compete on teams that match their sex assigned at birth.
The issue remains a topic of debate nationwide, as different sports leagues implement different policies on the inclusion of trans athletes.
Supporters of restricting or banning trans athletes argue that such policies are necessary to protect cisgender athletes’ safety. In contrast, opponents believe that these measures lead to the exclusion and stigmatization of a marginalized group.
People continued to debate whether Turner was right to refuse to compete against Sullivan
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What do you think ?
Jason 8 months ago
There should be leagues just for trans people. It is the only way there can be fairness. This is not hate. No one can fully change a gender. That is not how life works. Your opinion won't change that either. I am trans.
Sathe Wesker 8 months ago
I completely agree with you. And also with no hate. You are right that “no one and can fully change a gender” no matter how many hormonal treatments have been made. I respect your choice and right to make the change, but that is NOT the issue here. It IS fairness. And again, you are right, that’s just not how life (or science, or biology, or hormones) work.
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Unholy Diver 8 months ago
Advantage or not, a woman shouldn't be forced to compete against a biological man, in women's league.
mildred angueira franceschi 8 months ago
You couldn't have said it better. If the league was coed that would be fine, but this is specifically a women's league. I compliment her for standing up to her rights. I'm in full agreement with what she did.
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🇺🇦 PrincessPatton 🇺🇦 8 months ago
Anyone who writes here that there shouldn't be trans women in women's sports is immediately labeled a maga, anti-trans and is automatically downvoted. But that's not fair! This is a SPORT! You don't beat your opponent by having a more beautiful soul, nobler character and higher morals. You beat him by being better at the sport, even if in real life you are a disgusting MAGA rat. You are better when you have the talent for your sport, the physical ability, the willpower, you train honestly, and yes, you also need luck. In the sport of fencing, it's an advantage if you're tall and have long limbs, because you can reach your opponent more easily while keeping them off your body, making it harder for them to hit you. Redmond Sullivan was born a female in a male body, a trans woman. While I support lgbtq+ rights (because I am one), when it comes to sports, I side with ciswomen. Because sports are about bodies. And in most cases, it's harder for a female body to beat a male body. GhToIHoXkA...e9115e.jpg 
superfluous 8 months ago
I didn't see any maga comments? I like the picture you used here.
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Inglourioustmnt 8 months ago
I fully support trans rights. Gender dysphoria is real. Not gonna pretend to understand it as i don’t have it. Sucks that you weren't born as the gender you feel. But transitioning has limitations, such as you cant just compete in competitive sport against biological females. It’s just not fair. Every real scientific study has confirmed this. Once you go through puberty as male, you have an advantage. Just like how you can’t get juiced up on steroids and compete. Most of the women supporting this are older and no longer playing sports, and never had to deal with this issue yet are more than happy to force the younger generation to do so.
superfluous 8 months ago
Where are you getting that older women that don't compete anymore support trans females in women's sport?? Support for that claim?
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Austzn 8 months ago
Is fencing really a sport where brute strength matters? If there is another potential advantage like height, well that's pretty easy to pair up without involving s*x. I say let the sports organizations determine what counts as fair and equitable for their respective sport.
Auntriarch 8 months ago (edited)
I'm old enough to remember when "women aren't strong enough to compete in equestrian events". Then when they did, and won, "ah well it's the horse that does all the work"....
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Simeon Nevel 8 months ago
I have no problem with people living and presenting themselves in a way that best represents their feeling about themselve. But there's a reason there's a clear distinction between men's and women's sports.
Pyla 8 months ago
Truth is, if you are post pubescent transitioning into a woman, you have a full hormonal dose of testosterone affecting your body that will give you the advantage. make a trans category. It's not fair to women, then to call them bigots. I rode showjumpers, all mixed genders, in field hunting there are "men's mounts" and "ladies", but my current horse is 16.3 hh and a behemoth by any standard. But my advantage I know how to ride him on par with any man. But I can't lift the same amount, I can't jump as high or run as far. Estrogen took care of that.
JB 8 months ago (edited)
Fencing is an intensive physical sport. Male biology has an advantage. Ladies you are welcome into my gym, my changing room; I will treat you with the respect you deserve as a person. But no, I won’t stand by and let you say your gender is more important than the fact I was born female. I identify as female. I accept I’m smaller and weaker than men. I will welcome you into every other space so you know you are accepted. But you can’t actually change the rules of biology. So, I’ll give as much as I can. What I can’t give you is the experience of being born into the right body.
OzzyTheMano (They/Them) 8 months ago
first of all, SHE is a WOMAN. SHE may be born with a body that doesn't match HER gender identity, but that doesn't mean we have to disregard HER personal pronouns. GENDER IDENTITY IS DIFFERENT THAN S*X OBSERVED AT BIRTH.
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Donna Ablard 8 months ago
it is not right to have people born male compete with females born female, because being born male, one has physical advantages. males & females are physically different, where born males are stronger, bigger.
Harry Gondalf 8 months ago
a year of testosterone treatments will not reduce 6 inches of height, 30 pounds of upper body mass. Women (generally) are not equal to men in strength, upper body mass, etc. The US women's professional soccer team loses against all high school varsity soccer teams. All of the world records for females in running are topped by thousands of high school boys. Women's sports should not become a haven for third-rate male athletes.
Craig S. (EvilSausage) 8 months ago
I'm undecided on the larger issue, because I'm not really clear on what the science says, but I would have an easier time regarding Turner's actions as a principled stand if she had not misgendered the other fencer.
Clash 04 8 months ago
Its funny how they talk about Inclusive spaces but what about the women does she not get a safe space only for women, me being a man im tired of men not being good at a sport while competing against men so they stick wig on and bam I can be number 1 against women. It makes no sense and people fighting for this are out of there minds. Men are men and women are women.
Maples Dad 8 months ago (edited)
I feel so bad for women at the moment. Yet again it's MEN taking away their safe places, intimate spaces and positions in sports that women worked so hard to get in the first place. It's basically invasive patriarchy in a wig and I don't know why so many people are supporting it.
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Michelle Coffey 8 months ago
Does the woman that put this together do sport? Inclusion of men and boys into women and girls sports is exclusion and discrimination against women. World Rugby and other organisations have made it clear that men do not belong and it is unfair and unsafe for them to play women. The man who played in the male competition just a few months ago should have stayed there and/or entered mixed competition instead of taking what few opportunities women and girls have in sports.
Dre Mosley 8 months ago
This isn't about who has the physical advantage, bio women in a women's league shouldn't be forced to compete with bio men no matter what they identify as.
TURKEYJOHNS 8 months ago
According to what I’ve read, there’s no conclusive evidence on if trans people have advantages. It is so disgusting that Turner kept referring to Sullivan as “he/him” but until we have more evidence on who has advantages, she was right in taking a knee. She just wasn’t comfortable with the topic that still has a lot of question marks floating around.
TURKEYJOHNS 8 months ago
Neil DeGrasse Tyson had the idea of making divisions based on chromosomes and testosterone. What’s y’all’s thoughts on that? I personally like the idea.
Maples Dad 8 months ago
We already have divisions based on chromosomes- XX and XY. They're called male and female.
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Just another panda (they/them) 8 months ago
I fence. Fencing is barely even strength based (which the fear of mtf athletes stems from) and is mainly agility and strategy. This is f ed up, I feel so bad for Sullivan. 🏳️⚧️
Paul Richards 8 months ago
Like Konstantin kisin says, we have to keep rates of testicular injuries in women sports to a minimum
Augusta Fencing 8 months ago
In response, USA Fencing upheld their inclusive policies, emphasizing that athletes should compete in alignment with their gender identity. This incident has sparked broader debates about inclusivity and fairness in sports. Check out here at https://www.augustafencingcontractors.com/
Harry Gondalf 8 months ago
One more comment: what would happen if, at EVERY sporting event, every female athlete refused to compete against the ersatz "woman?" I applaud the lady, and wish that other contestants had followed her lead.
Jennifer Clayton 8 months ago
I am a former fencer, I guarantee during her training she fenced men. If you know anything about this particular sport, you know that gender doesn't matter in fencing. Women's sports is not a monolith.
TheForrestGreene (he/they/it) 8 months ago
i have looked at the comments and now i am very scared. is this what the world has become? a place full of hate, arguing, insults, and just overall, a scary place to live in? and all this talk about how trans people should be playing sports with people of their assigned s*x...... does this mean i cant play baseball for my school team?? please dont ban me from playing baseball, its my life. im going to curl up into a ball now and hope all this hatred goes away by the time i uncurl
Dolly_of TheCowboy 7 months ago (edited)
It seems there are a whole bunch of really good reasons why there should be an Open category in sports, in addition to Mens and Womens categories. This would enable trans athletes (MtF or FtM), intersex athletes, cis athletes (male or female) whom have hormonal levels that do not meet the criteria for inclusion in the male or female defined categories, and cis athletes whom just did not want to compete in a Mens or Womens specific category and wanted to compete against basically anyone competing in the sport, to compete in that sport against others without it being the issue it is currently. No one in their right mind would say that a Paralympian swimmer, who is for example blind and has "no arms", should be expected to be competing against completely sighted/limbed Olympic swimmers and not be competing against similar Paralympians. There are a myriad of categories for Paralympic athletes for very good reasons. They have the Senior Olympics and the Masters classes in sports for similar reasons so that older athletes can compete with others of similar abilities. I cannot see why there cannot be three broad categories in sports of Mens, Womens, and Open
Steve Vadnais 8 months ago
she did what was right ,to bad the other real women didnt have the morales to support what is true and right
brittany 8 months ago
i dont have time for people act like babies. you want to be a martyr and forfeit bc someone else is trans, do it. quit the games completely and never fence again, fade into obscurity and hide under your rock.
Lee451 Henderson 8 months ago
Transwomen still have the muscle mass they developed as men. This gives them a distinct advantage. Time to call the Handicapper General, Diana Moon Glompers.
A_UserHere 8 months ago
I like the idea that Neil DeGrasse Tyson gave, the idea that the competitions should instead be based on hormone levels, instead of male and female.
Catnip Madness 8 months ago
That's LITERALLY what the requirement is here, in this case. Hence the testosterone blockers (a testosterone is linked to certain physical advantages) for a year as a REQUIREMENT>
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Cedar City Fencing 3 weeks ago
The referee issued her a black card, immediately disqualifying her from the event. USA Fencing confirmed the disqualification was a result of violating International Fencing Federation (FIE) rules, specifically Article t.113, which prohibits fencers from refusing to compete against any properly entered eligible opponent for any reason.
Inservio Smurf 7 months ago
S*x segregation, not psychosis segregation, is what was established for fairness. If you cannot hack it against your own s*x, you do not get permission to violate that segregation.
Joe Methuen 7 months ago (edited)
The colleges participate in conferences with separate divisions for men and women. She didn't set up these separate divisions. It seems that there is a need for two more divisions. One for men transitioning to women, and one for women transitioning to men.
Jonathon Dennert 8 months ago
just answer me this . if it doesnt matter what s*x a player is in a sport then why do they have male and female divisions? why arent all divisions gone? its because men have an advantage PHYSICALLY over female athl;etes, this has and always will be true. if it was an ungendered contest i would say ok she had no need to bow out, but the fact that they seperate men from women in the first place proves that even though they are taking a political stance over this they acknowledge that making women face men is a liability for them, they might be politically correct ( a strange thing to aspire to since everyone knows all politicians are liars) but they still fear being taken to court for making men and women compete against each other so they say they consider trans men to be women. im waiting for the day this lie costs someon millions and i hope it doesnt cost some girl her life before it does
The Darkest Timeline 8 months ago
What is the advantage of the trans person here? This is not a sport of strength, it is one of technique, agility, strategy, and skill.
Doug B DiZoglio 8 months ago
AS O0NE PERSON SAID, ITS A WORLD EVENT AND SOME COUNTRIES HAVE DIFFERENT DEFINITIONS OR RULES ETC ETC...IT MAY BE A WORLD EVENT, BUT ITS A WOMANS TOURNEY, NOT OPEN TO MALES.. MS TURNER IS A HERO TO ALL WOMEN IN MY OPINION AND WILL HELP MY GRANDDAUGHTER BETTER UNDERSTAND THYE IMPORTANCE OF STANDING UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT... THANK YOU MS TURNER FOR YOUR SACRIFICE.. AS FOR MR. SULLIVAN, YOU ARE A MAN, WHY CAN'T U UNDERSTAND, UR FEELINGS DO NOT COUNT.. BC U FEEL LIKE A GIRL DOES NOT MAKE U ONE... JUST LIKE LEA THOMAS, YOU ARE 100% WRONG TO DO THI9S AND RUIN ANOTHER PERSON'S YOUNG ATHLETIC CAREER SO YOUR EGO CAN BE FED... TO THE US FENCING FEDERATION.... IF U R NOT ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES, YOU SHOULD BE!
OzzyTheMano (They/Them) 7 months ago
hi, my name is ozzy, and I’m an out-of-the-closet nonbinary badminton player for my school’s team. I took an “oh so precious” spot from someone else because I was simply more talented and skilled than they were. mind you, I am on the trans spectrum (nonbinary is on there, look it up), and I wear chest binders even while I play. people like to tell me (especially when literally nobody asks) that I don’t exist, that I need to pick one or the other. Welp, since I’m here right now, writing this, I think I can tell you that I indeed exist. it took a lot of bravery for me to come out to my team, and I’m a minor. now, imagine someone like me, but much older. imagine having someone question my gender identity that I thought I had secured many years before simply because someone ASSUMES I’m better than them. nobody knows who’s better at something unless they compete, correct? and then imagine that my opponent, who now refuses to compete against me because of how I look, misgenders me several
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Carol Denardo 8 months ago
Sportsmanship, where is the sportsmanship allowing men to compete in women's sports? That was the most idiotic comment of all. Kudos to this young lady for standing up for herself and for what is right. When society today stops believing the lie that men can become women simply because they think they are, this fantasy will get sent back to its author, satan. God made us male and female. Satan is the author of sin and sexual perversion. This stupidity must stop before a woman is severely i njured or even killed.
OzzyTheMano (They/Them) 7 months ago
welp, at least Satan is more inclusive than God?
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Zelda McLink 8 months ago
"I love and respect you" - no you bl00dy don't, or you would refer to her as HER.
Douglas Tucker 8 months ago
Since many here simply feel that a man's type body does not belong in any women's sport could consider some form of handicap that makes the particular sport they are playing in fairer to all perhaps. There have been many pros and cons to this "handicapping" concept it appears. My desire overall is getting as many people to participate in all the sports they want with common sense being the #1 thinking tool (someone weighting 98 pounds facing a 350 pound opponent on the Sumo mat comes to mind). As one commenter pointed out here about her fencing skills, she welcomes all opponents regardless with her healthy "Bring it on!" attitude.
Marno C. 8 months ago
There is a long history of athletes refusing to compete against other athletes because they did not feel those athletes did not 'belong' or had an 'unfair advantage.' For example, athletes who were pushed out of their sport or into 'alternate' leagues were targeted because they were black, Jewish, gay, or women Remember the Negro leagues of baseball and how many baseball players were angry about Jackie Robinson joining the MLB? There were tennis players who felt that Martina Navratolova should not be allowed to play against them because her lesbianism created an uncomfortable atmosphere that was a psychological disadvantage to them. (They also wondered about her hormones). Women were initially banned from marathons. People thought it would hurt their reproductive systems and other runners would be unfairly distracted. Some eugenicists thought that black basketball players were at some sort of genetic advantage and ought to have their own league Plus ca change...
Margaret Shannon 8 months ago
If she loved and respected her opponent, she would have used her opponent's chosen pronouns.
Serena Myers 8 months ago (edited)
Just a quiet and non-confrontational query, people. I worked at an almost exclusively male workplace. (I'm female, none of that cis stuff, but you do you) As such, the men treated me like their mother (I was older than all of them!) and would lift heavy stuff for me, etc. If a man, identifying as a woman, and possibly after surgery, did the same job, would he/she/they/whatever also expect to be treated with respect and courtesy as a woman? This stuff gets confusing!
antoinette maldari 8 months ago
Depends. Some some are small and dainty some are build like brick house and some are in-between. Which one are you?
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Tamra 8 months ago
I looked for that information, but I couldn't find it. Could you please share your source? I'd like to be as informed as possible. I do know that Turner's trans opponent was fencing in a men's league in 2023, then after 15 months absence, began fencing in the woman's league, winning two gold in the women's league.
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Ruth Watry 8 months ago
I work with transgender students, and when a transgender woman takes estrogen and takes testosterone blocking d***s, their male muscular build changes very quickly and becomes similar to cis gendered women. It is actually noticeable if you know them when they start the d***s. This includes trans females who began hormone treatment after going through puberty.
Tamra 8 months ago
From the NIH: "Values for strength, LBM and muscle area in transwomen remain above those of cisgender women, even after 36 months of hormone therapy". I am vocal LGBTQ+ ally, but I am old enough to have seen how long and how hard women have fought to carve out a space for themselves in the sporting world. I do hope we can find an equitable solution for this, but it must start with honest, open discourse with a strong focus on the science.
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DelvianBlue 8 months ago (edited)
As someone who has been fencing for over 20 years, I have to disagree with her actions. Fencing is one of the sports in which being male or female offers little competitive advantage. Just this morning I was fencing in my club and successfully defeated two male fencers. It's really not that difficult - you just adjust your strategy based on the opponent's height and arm length - which you also have to do with tall biological women. In fact there are several mixed tournaments out there in which men and women fight against each other. There are also men's tournaments, women's tournaments, youth, veterans', senior, and so on. This transgender woman met with all of the requirements to compete in a women's tournament and being born male would not change the outcome of the bout. Turner's opponent didn't even fence very well that day and finished in the bottom half. A lot of other women beat her, so you can't really argue unfair advantage with this one.
Nimitz 8 months ago
Fencing has no height or weight classes. If you want "fairness" demand such a breakdown for all sports or shut up. So tired of transphobes and their constant b******t
roddy 8 months ago
Categories based on physical metrics like muscle mass, height, weight, etc. would make the most sense. Gender is not really the issue here. Testosterone makes a measurable difference, so measure the difference. And match people by their body types, not by their gender. There's a reason you don't see trans men in men's sports. But nobody mentions that.
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Ottoman 8 months ago
If your opponent has an advantage against you and comes in 24th, maybe you actually just suck at your sport.
PenguinEmp 8 months ago
If your opponent is twice your size and used to be male. And is stinger faster and taller and heavier, that's not a fair fight.
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Jason 8 months ago
There should be leagues just for trans people. It is the only way there can be fairness. This is not hate. No one can fully change a gender. That is not how life works. Your opinion won't change that either. I am trans.
Sathe Wesker 8 months ago
I completely agree with you. And also with no hate. You are right that “no one and can fully change a gender” no matter how many hormonal treatments have been made. I respect your choice and right to make the change, but that is NOT the issue here. It IS fairness. And again, you are right, that’s just not how life (or science, or biology, or hormones) work.
Load More Replies... Unholy Diver 8 months ago
Advantage or not, a woman shouldn't be forced to compete against a biological man, in women's league.
mildred angueira franceschi 8 months ago
You couldn't have said it better. If the league was coed that would be fine, but this is specifically a women's league. I compliment her for standing up to her rights. I'm in full agreement with what she did.
Load More Replies... 🇺🇦 PrincessPatton 🇺🇦 8 months ago
Anyone who writes here that there shouldn't be trans women in women's sports is immediately labeled a maga, anti-trans and is automatically downvoted. But that's not fair! This is a SPORT! You don't beat your opponent by having a more beautiful soul, nobler character and higher morals. You beat him by being better at the sport, even if in real life you are a disgusting MAGA rat. You are better when you have the talent for your sport, the physical ability, the willpower, you train honestly, and yes, you also need luck. In the sport of fencing, it's an advantage if you're tall and have long limbs, because you can reach your opponent more easily while keeping them off your body, making it harder for them to hit you. Redmond Sullivan was born a female in a male body, a trans woman. While I support lgbtq+ rights (because I am one), when it comes to sports, I side with ciswomen. Because sports are about bodies. And in most cases, it's harder for a female body to beat a male body. GhToIHoXkA...e9115e.jpg
superfluous 8 months ago
I didn't see any maga comments? I like the picture you used here.
Load More Replies... Inglourioustmnt 8 months ago
I fully support trans rights. Gender dysphoria is real. Not gonna pretend to understand it as i don’t have it. Sucks that you weren't born as the gender you feel. But transitioning has limitations, such as you cant just compete in competitive sport against biological females. It’s just not fair. Every real scientific study has confirmed this. Once you go through puberty as male, you have an advantage. Just like how you can’t get juiced up on steroids and compete. Most of the women supporting this are older and no longer playing sports, and never had to deal with this issue yet are more than happy to force the younger generation to do so.
superfluous 8 months ago
Where are you getting that older women that don't compete anymore support trans females in women's sport?? Support for that claim?
Load More Replies... Austzn 8 months ago
Is fencing really a sport where brute strength matters? If there is another potential advantage like height, well that's pretty easy to pair up without involving s*x. I say let the sports organizations determine what counts as fair and equitable for their respective sport.
Auntriarch 8 months ago (edited)
I'm old enough to remember when "women aren't strong enough to compete in equestrian events". Then when they did, and won, "ah well it's the horse that does all the work"....
Load More Replies... Simeon Nevel 8 months ago
I have no problem with people living and presenting themselves in a way that best represents their feeling about themselve. But there's a reason there's a clear distinction between men's and women's sports.
Pyla 8 months ago
Truth is, if you are post pubescent transitioning into a woman, you have a full hormonal dose of testosterone affecting your body that will give you the advantage. make a trans category. It's not fair to women, then to call them bigots. I rode showjumpers, all mixed genders, in field hunting there are "men's mounts" and "ladies", but my current horse is 16.3 hh and a behemoth by any standard. But my advantage I know how to ride him on par with any man. But I can't lift the same amount, I can't jump as high or run as far. Estrogen took care of that.
JB 8 months ago (edited)
Fencing is an intensive physical sport. Male biology has an advantage. Ladies you are welcome into my gym, my changing room; I will treat you with the respect you deserve as a person. But no, I won’t stand by and let you say your gender is more important than the fact I was born female. I identify as female. I accept I’m smaller and weaker than men. I will welcome you into every other space so you know you are accepted. But you can’t actually change the rules of biology. So, I’ll give as much as I can. What I can’t give you is the experience of being born into the right body.
OzzyTheMano (They/Them) 8 months ago
first of all, SHE is a WOMAN. SHE may be born with a body that doesn't match HER gender identity, but that doesn't mean we have to disregard HER personal pronouns. GENDER IDENTITY IS DIFFERENT THAN S*X OBSERVED AT BIRTH.
Load More Replies... Donna Ablard 8 months ago
it is not right to have people born male compete with females born female, because being born male, one has physical advantages. males & females are physically different, where born males are stronger, bigger.
Harry Gondalf 8 months ago
a year of testosterone treatments will not reduce 6 inches of height, 30 pounds of upper body mass. Women (generally) are not equal to men in strength, upper body mass, etc. The US women's professional soccer team loses against all high school varsity soccer teams. All of the world records for females in running are topped by thousands of high school boys. Women's sports should not become a haven for third-rate male athletes.
Craig S. (EvilSausage) 8 months ago
I'm undecided on the larger issue, because I'm not really clear on what the science says, but I would have an easier time regarding Turner's actions as a principled stand if she had not misgendered the other fencer.
Clash 04 8 months ago
Its funny how they talk about Inclusive spaces but what about the women does she not get a safe space only for women, me being a man im tired of men not being good at a sport while competing against men so they stick wig on and bam I can be number 1 against women. It makes no sense and people fighting for this are out of there minds. Men are men and women are women.
Maples Dad 8 months ago (edited)
I feel so bad for women at the moment. Yet again it's MEN taking away their safe places, intimate spaces and positions in sports that women worked so hard to get in the first place. It's basically invasive patriarchy in a wig and I don't know why so many people are supporting it.
Load More Replies... Michelle Coffey 8 months ago
Does the woman that put this together do sport? Inclusion of men and boys into women and girls sports is exclusion and discrimination against women. World Rugby and other organisations have made it clear that men do not belong and it is unfair and unsafe for them to play women. The man who played in the male competition just a few months ago should have stayed there and/or entered mixed competition instead of taking what few opportunities women and girls have in sports.
Dre Mosley 8 months ago
This isn't about who has the physical advantage, bio women in a women's league shouldn't be forced to compete with bio men no matter what they identify as.
TURKEYJOHNS 8 months ago
According to what I’ve read, there’s no conclusive evidence on if trans people have advantages. It is so disgusting that Turner kept referring to Sullivan as “he/him” but until we have more evidence on who has advantages, she was right in taking a knee. She just wasn’t comfortable with the topic that still has a lot of question marks floating around.
TURKEYJOHNS 8 months ago
Neil DeGrasse Tyson had the idea of making divisions based on chromosomes and testosterone. What’s y’all’s thoughts on that? I personally like the idea.
Maples Dad 8 months ago
We already have divisions based on chromosomes- XX and XY. They're called male and female.
Load More Replies... Just another panda (they/them) 8 months ago
I fence. Fencing is barely even strength based (which the fear of mtf athletes stems from) and is mainly agility and strategy. This is f ed up, I feel so bad for Sullivan. 🏳️⚧️
Paul Richards 8 months ago
Like Konstantin kisin says, we have to keep rates of testicular injuries in women sports to a minimum
Augusta Fencing 8 months ago
In response, USA Fencing upheld their inclusive policies, emphasizing that athletes should compete in alignment with their gender identity. This incident has sparked broader debates about inclusivity and fairness in sports. Check out here at https://www.augustafencingcontractors.com/
Harry Gondalf 8 months ago
One more comment: what would happen if, at EVERY sporting event, every female athlete refused to compete against the ersatz "woman?" I applaud the lady, and wish that other contestants had followed her lead.
Jennifer Clayton 8 months ago
I am a former fencer, I guarantee during her training she fenced men. If you know anything about this particular sport, you know that gender doesn't matter in fencing. Women's sports is not a monolith.
TheForrestGreene (he/they/it) 8 months ago
i have looked at the comments and now i am very scared. is this what the world has become? a place full of hate, arguing, insults, and just overall, a scary place to live in? and all this talk about how trans people should be playing sports with people of their assigned s*x...... does this mean i cant play baseball for my school team?? please dont ban me from playing baseball, its my life. im going to curl up into a ball now and hope all this hatred goes away by the time i uncurl
Dolly_of TheCowboy 7 months ago (edited)
It seems there are a whole bunch of really good reasons why there should be an Open category in sports, in addition to Mens and Womens categories. This would enable trans athletes (MtF or FtM), intersex athletes, cis athletes (male or female) whom have hormonal levels that do not meet the criteria for inclusion in the male or female defined categories, and cis athletes whom just did not want to compete in a Mens or Womens specific category and wanted to compete against basically anyone competing in the sport, to compete in that sport against others without it being the issue it is currently. No one in their right mind would say that a Paralympian swimmer, who is for example blind and has "no arms", should be expected to be competing against completely sighted/limbed Olympic swimmers and not be competing against similar Paralympians. There are a myriad of categories for Paralympic athletes for very good reasons. They have the Senior Olympics and the Masters classes in sports for similar reasons so that older athletes can compete with others of similar abilities. I cannot see why there cannot be three broad categories in sports of Mens, Womens, and Open
Steve Vadnais 8 months ago
she did what was right ,to bad the other real women didnt have the morales to support what is true and right
brittany 8 months ago
i dont have time for people act like babies. you want to be a martyr and forfeit bc someone else is trans, do it. quit the games completely and never fence again, fade into obscurity and hide under your rock.
Lee451 Henderson 8 months ago
Transwomen still have the muscle mass they developed as men. This gives them a distinct advantage. Time to call the Handicapper General, Diana Moon Glompers.
A_UserHere 8 months ago
I like the idea that Neil DeGrasse Tyson gave, the idea that the competitions should instead be based on hormone levels, instead of male and female.
Catnip Madness 8 months ago
That's LITERALLY what the requirement is here, in this case. Hence the testosterone blockers (a testosterone is linked to certain physical advantages) for a year as a REQUIREMENT>
Load More Replies... Cedar City Fencing 3 weeks ago
The referee issued her a black card, immediately disqualifying her from the event. USA Fencing confirmed the disqualification was a result of violating International Fencing Federation (FIE) rules, specifically Article t.113, which prohibits fencers from refusing to compete against any properly entered eligible opponent for any reason.
Inservio Smurf 7 months ago
S*x segregation, not psychosis segregation, is what was established for fairness. If you cannot hack it against your own s*x, you do not get permission to violate that segregation.
Joe Methuen 7 months ago (edited)
The colleges participate in conferences with separate divisions for men and women. She didn't set up these separate divisions. It seems that there is a need for two more divisions. One for men transitioning to women, and one for women transitioning to men.
Jonathon Dennert 8 months ago
just answer me this . if it doesnt matter what s*x a player is in a sport then why do they have male and female divisions? why arent all divisions gone? its because men have an advantage PHYSICALLY over female athl;etes, this has and always will be true. if it was an ungendered contest i would say ok she had no need to bow out, but the fact that they seperate men from women in the first place proves that even though they are taking a political stance over this they acknowledge that making women face men is a liability for them, they might be politically correct ( a strange thing to aspire to since everyone knows all politicians are liars) but they still fear being taken to court for making men and women compete against each other so they say they consider trans men to be women. im waiting for the day this lie costs someon millions and i hope it doesnt cost some girl her life before it does
The Darkest Timeline 8 months ago
What is the advantage of the trans person here? This is not a sport of strength, it is one of technique, agility, strategy, and skill.
Doug B DiZoglio 8 months ago
AS O0NE PERSON SAID, ITS A WORLD EVENT AND SOME COUNTRIES HAVE DIFFERENT DEFINITIONS OR RULES ETC ETC...IT MAY BE A WORLD EVENT, BUT ITS A WOMANS TOURNEY, NOT OPEN TO MALES.. MS TURNER IS A HERO TO ALL WOMEN IN MY OPINION AND WILL HELP MY GRANDDAUGHTER BETTER UNDERSTAND THYE IMPORTANCE OF STANDING UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT... THANK YOU MS TURNER FOR YOUR SACRIFICE.. AS FOR MR. SULLIVAN, YOU ARE A MAN, WHY CAN'T U UNDERSTAND, UR FEELINGS DO NOT COUNT.. BC U FEEL LIKE A GIRL DOES NOT MAKE U ONE... JUST LIKE LEA THOMAS, YOU ARE 100% WRONG TO DO THI9S AND RUIN ANOTHER PERSON'S YOUNG ATHLETIC CAREER SO YOUR EGO CAN BE FED... TO THE US FENCING FEDERATION.... IF U R NOT ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES, YOU SHOULD BE!
OzzyTheMano (They/Them) 7 months ago
hi, my name is ozzy, and I’m an out-of-the-closet nonbinary badminton player for my school’s team. I took an “oh so precious” spot from someone else because I was simply more talented and skilled than they were. mind you, I am on the trans spectrum (nonbinary is on there, look it up), and I wear chest binders even while I play. people like to tell me (especially when literally nobody asks) that I don’t exist, that I need to pick one or the other. Welp, since I’m here right now, writing this, I think I can tell you that I indeed exist. it took a lot of bravery for me to come out to my team, and I’m a minor. now, imagine someone like me, but much older. imagine having someone question my gender identity that I thought I had secured many years before simply because someone ASSUMES I’m better than them. nobody knows who’s better at something unless they compete, correct? and then imagine that my opponent, who now refuses to compete against me because of how I look, misgenders me several
Load More Replies... Carol Denardo 8 months ago
Sportsmanship, where is the sportsmanship allowing men to compete in women's sports? That was the most idiotic comment of all. Kudos to this young lady for standing up for herself and for what is right. When society today stops believing the lie that men can become women simply because they think they are, this fantasy will get sent back to its author, satan. God made us male and female. Satan is the author of sin and sexual perversion. This stupidity must stop before a woman is severely i njured or even killed.
OzzyTheMano (They/Them) 7 months ago
welp, at least Satan is more inclusive than God?
Load More Replies... Zelda McLink 8 months ago
"I love and respect you" - no you bl00dy don't, or you would refer to her as HER.
Douglas Tucker 8 months ago
Since many here simply feel that a man's type body does not belong in any women's sport could consider some form of handicap that makes the particular sport they are playing in fairer to all perhaps. There have been many pros and cons to this "handicapping" concept it appears. My desire overall is getting as many people to participate in all the sports they want with common sense being the #1 thinking tool (someone weighting 98 pounds facing a 350 pound opponent on the Sumo mat comes to mind). As one commenter pointed out here about her fencing skills, she welcomes all opponents regardless with her healthy "Bring it on!" attitude.
Marno C. 8 months ago
There is a long history of athletes refusing to compete against other athletes because they did not feel those athletes did not 'belong' or had an 'unfair advantage.' For example, athletes who were pushed out of their sport or into 'alternate' leagues were targeted because they were black, Jewish, gay, or women Remember the Negro leagues of baseball and how many baseball players were angry about Jackie Robinson joining the MLB? There were tennis players who felt that Martina Navratolova should not be allowed to play against them because her lesbianism created an uncomfortable atmosphere that was a psychological disadvantage to them. (They also wondered about her hormones). Women were initially banned from marathons. People thought it would hurt their reproductive systems and other runners would be unfairly distracted. Some eugenicists thought that black basketball players were at some sort of genetic advantage and ought to have their own league Plus ca change...
Margaret Shannon 8 months ago
If she loved and respected her opponent, she would have used her opponent's chosen pronouns.
Serena Myers 8 months ago (edited)
Just a quiet and non-confrontational query, people. I worked at an almost exclusively male workplace. (I'm female, none of that cis stuff, but you do you) As such, the men treated me like their mother (I was older than all of them!) and would lift heavy stuff for me, etc. If a man, identifying as a woman, and possibly after surgery, did the same job, would he/she/they/whatever also expect to be treated with respect and courtesy as a woman? This stuff gets confusing!
antoinette maldari 8 months ago
Depends. Some some are small and dainty some are build like brick house and some are in-between. Which one are you?
Load More Replies... Tamra 8 months ago
I looked for that information, but I couldn't find it. Could you please share your source? I'd like to be as informed as possible. I do know that Turner's trans opponent was fencing in a men's league in 2023, then after 15 months absence, began fencing in the woman's league, winning two gold in the women's league.
Load More Replies... Ruth Watry 8 months ago
I work with transgender students, and when a transgender woman takes estrogen and takes testosterone blocking d***s, their male muscular build changes very quickly and becomes similar to cis gendered women. It is actually noticeable if you know them when they start the d***s. This includes trans females who began hormone treatment after going through puberty.
Tamra 8 months ago
From the NIH: "Values for strength, LBM and muscle area in transwomen remain above those of cisgender women, even after 36 months of hormone therapy". I am vocal LGBTQ+ ally, but I am old enough to have seen how long and how hard women have fought to carve out a space for themselves in the sporting world. I do hope we can find an equitable solution for this, but it must start with honest, open discourse with a strong focus on the science.
Load More Replies... DelvianBlue 8 months ago (edited)
As someone who has been fencing for over 20 years, I have to disagree with her actions. Fencing is one of the sports in which being male or female offers little competitive advantage. Just this morning I was fencing in my club and successfully defeated two male fencers. It's really not that difficult - you just adjust your strategy based on the opponent's height and arm length - which you also have to do with tall biological women. In fact there are several mixed tournaments out there in which men and women fight against each other. There are also men's tournaments, women's tournaments, youth, veterans', senior, and so on. This transgender woman met with all of the requirements to compete in a women's tournament and being born male would not change the outcome of the bout. Turner's opponent didn't even fence very well that day and finished in the bottom half. A lot of other women beat her, so you can't really argue unfair advantage with this one.
Nimitz 8 months ago
Fencing has no height or weight classes. If you want "fairness" demand such a breakdown for all sports or shut up. So tired of transphobes and their constant b******t
roddy 8 months ago
Categories based on physical metrics like muscle mass, height, weight, etc. would make the most sense. Gender is not really the issue here. Testosterone makes a measurable difference, so measure the difference. And match people by their body types, not by their gender. There's a reason you don't see trans men in men's sports. But nobody mentions that.
Load More Replies... Ottoman 8 months ago
If your opponent has an advantage against you and comes in 24th, maybe you actually just suck at your sport.
PenguinEmp 8 months ago
If your opponent is twice your size and used to be male. And is stinger faster and taller and heavier, that's not a fair fight.
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