USA Fencing Reverses Policies After Protest, Scrutiny

USA Fencing has reversed two controversial policies after public and federal scrutiny intensified following fencer Stephanie Turner's protest, which included kneeling and refusing to compete against a transgender athlete. The board of directors voted to end the practice of prioritizing LGBTQ-friendly states for tournament hosting, instead evaluating all 50 states based on cost, safety, and convenience. The organization also adopted a uniform policy requiring the national anthem to be played at all national events starting with the 2025 Summer Nationals. These changes followed criticism from athletes and lawmakers who argued that the previous policies were politically motivated and excluded certain states. USA Fencing declined to detail the motivations behind the revisions but emphasized a focus on member safety and cost efficiency. Turner and other critics are now calling for further leadership changes and increased transparency within the organization.