Fencer Stephanie Turner Honored for Refusal Against Trans Opponent

Stephanie Turner, a fencer from the Fencing Academy of Philadelphia, gained national attention for taking a knee in protest instead of competing against transgender athlete Redmond Sullivan at the Cherry Blossom Open. Her decision led to her receiving a black card, resulting in her disqualification from the tournament, as she stated, 'I’m a woman, and this is a man. And this is a women's tournament.' In recognition of her stance, she was awarded the 'Courage Wins Award' by XX-XY Athletics, which included a $5,000 cash prize and entry into a leadership program. XX-XY Athletics founder Jennifer Sey praised Turner for her bravery, asserting that her actions protect women's sports. In contrast, USA Fencing defended its transgender inclusion policy, emphasizing its commitment to an inclusive environment. Turner expressed her concerns about physical safety in the sport and her disappointment over the current policies that allow transgender women to compete against biological females.