Transgender fencer Redmond Sullivan has been removed from Wagner College’s women’s team following a highly publicized protest where competitor Stephanie Turner refused to face Sullivan in competition.
At a Glance
- Transgender fencer Redmond Sullivan is no longer on Wagner College’s women’s team following recent controversy
- Opponent Stephanie Turner was disqualified after kneeling in protest rather than competing against Sullivan
- USA Fencing defended its transgender inclusion policies which allow participation after one year of hormone therapy
- Turner was awarded $5,000 by XX-XY Athletics for her protest stance
- The incident has reignited national debate about transgender participation in women’s sports
Protest and Disqualification Spark National Attention
At the recent Cherry Blossom Open fencing competition, veteran fencer Stephanie Turner dropped to one knee and removed her mask when matched against Redmond Sullivan, a transgender athlete who previously competed in men’s events. Turner’s actions resulted in her immediate disqualification from the tournament.
The moment, captured on video, has since garnered millions of views across social media and news platforms, thrusting the issue of transgender participation in women’s sports back into the national spotlight during an election year where the topic has become increasingly politicized.
USA Fencing clarified that Turner’s disqualification was specifically due to her refusal to compete, not because she was making a personal statement. The organization has stood firmly by its transgender inclusion policies, which were implemented in 2023. According to these guidelines, transgender women may compete in women’s categories after undergoing one year of testosterone suppression treatment – a policy that has been criticized by women’s sports advocates as insufficient to address biological advantages.
Concerns About Fair Competition
During the confrontation, Turner reportedly told Sullivan: “I am sorry. I have a lot of love and respect for you, but I will not fence you.” Turner later expressed that she had felt intimidated about raising concerns previously, fearing potential bias from referees and officials. This sentiment echoes concerns raised by female athletes across various sports who have questioned the fairness of competing against individuals who have developed through male puberty.
“I was like, I don’t even want to reach out because if I do, then I won’t ever have a fair bout in my life,” Turner stated regarding her hesitation to formally challenge the eligibility rules.
Turner claims the number of transgender competitors in fencing is higher than officially reported. “In fencing, personally, I see it quite often. I have witnessed transgender fencers in women’s tournaments and girls tournaments in different age categories, specifically Y-14 (the youngest age group),” Turner said, raising concerns about the growing prevalence across age divisions.
Organizational Response and Policy Defenses
Sullivan’s club team, Iconic Fencing Club, defended their athlete, emphasizing that Sullivan has followed all regulations and guidelines established by USA Fencing. The club released a statement suggesting Turner’s behavior contradicted the sport’s core values of honor, sportsmanship, and respect. However, Wagner College subsequently announced that Sullivan would no longer be part of its women’s fencing team, though it provided no detailed explanation for this decision.
“USA Fencing enacted our current transgender and non-binary athlete policy in 2023. The policy was designed to expand access to the sport of fencing and create inclusive, safe spaces,” the organization stated in defense of its guidelines amid growing criticism.
USA Fencing has also taken a broader political stance by avoiding hosting events in states with what it defines as “anti-LGBTQ or anti-abortion laws.” This list includes Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Texas.
The organization’s CEO, Phill Andrews, previously stated: “We’ve heard from a number of members, including members of the Board and members of our elite athlete community, asking whether continuing to place events in areas with either anti-LGBTQ laws or anti-abortion laws aligns with our core values as an organization.”
Wider Implications for Women’s Sports
Turner’s protest has earned her recognition from groups advocating for women’s sports. She received the Courage Wins Award and a $5,000 prize from XX-XY Athletics for her stance. Her actions follow similar protests in other sports, including a recent incident where shot putter Abigail Wilson refused to compete against transgender opponents. The controversy comes as President Trump has advocated for policies banning transgender women from women’s competitions, highlighting the issue’s significance in current political discourse.
The Fair Fencing Organization has requested a re-evaluation of USA Fencing’s transgender inclusion policy, but the board reportedly voted against forming an all-female task force to address these concerns. With Sullivan no longer on Wagner College’s team and national attention focused on the issue, the debate around biological differences, competitive fairness, and inclusion in women’s sports appears far from resolved.
