Women’s Fencer Stephanie Turner Responds to USA Fencing’s Policy Changes Following Trans Athlete Protest

Women’s Fencer Stephanie Turner Responds to USA Fencing’s Policy Changes Following Trans Athlete Protest

EXCLUSIVE: Women’s fencer Stephanie Turner, who gained national attention for her protest against a trans opponent, has voiced her concerns after USA Fencing modified its policies following public and governmental pressure.

In late March, Turner was suspended by USA Fencing for kneeling during a competition in protest of competing against trans athlete Redmond Sullivan at the Cherry Blossom Open in Maryland. In the aftermath, USA Fencing faced significant scrutiny, prompting it to rethink its controversial stance on athlete eligibility and event policies.

Recent Policy Amendments

After nearly ten weeks of pressure from the public and federal scrutiny regarding its policies, USA Fencing altered two key regulations. The board announced it would no longer prioritize states with laws deemed detrimental to the LGBTQ community during the selection of national tournament sites. Additionally, the organization clarified that the practice of playing the national anthem at events would become formal policy.

Turner expressed her thoughts on these policy shifts in an exclusive statement to Fox News Digital. She stated that USA Fencing has succumbed to what she termed ‘unpatriotic tyrants’ who prioritize political agendas over the sport itself.

“The decision to play the national anthem should have never been in question. Excluding states from national tournaments because of their policies on abortion and LGBTQ rights is absurd and unrelated to fencing,” Turner remarked. She also questioned whether these policies were a punitive measure against conservative values and called for a leadership overhaul within USA Fencing.

Turner Steps Away from Competition

Following her suspension, Turner made the difficult decision to step away from competing with USA Fencing. She was put on a 12-month probation after her refusal to compete against Sullivan.

The incident not only sparked a backlash against USA Fencing but also prompted a comprehensive examination of its gender-eligibility policies. Earlier in April, the organization announced plans to change its gender-eligibility criteria to expressly state that only athletes identified as female would compete in the women’s category.

However, that policy has yet to be officially implemented, stirring further debate within the sport.

Government Inquiry and Leadership Critiques

The fallout from this incident also led to a Title IX investigation initiated by President Trump’s administration and a congressional hearing held in May. During this session, USA Fencing Chair Damien Lehfeldt faced challenging questions from lawmakers, particularly regarding the organization’s state selection policies, which were criticized for creating politically motivated outcomes.

Turner announced that she would use her platform to advocate for leadership changes within USA Fencing. She voiced her concerns passionately, indicating a desire to push for resignations among key figures who she felt had stigmatized concerned citizens, including women and mothers.

The policies scrutinized at the hearing included the board’s practices for selecting event locations, which included avoiding states with laws contrary to the organization’s values on LGBTQ rights and abortion. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene from Georgia specifically highlighted how this approach favored blue states while sidelining red ones.

“The board uses ‘Equality Maps’ to determine which states to blacklist from competitions,” Greene pointed out, emphasizing that these decisions had no relation to fencing and instead injected political motivations into the sport.

Shifted Landscape for National Events

USA Fencing’s previous hosting policy categorically prevented certain states, including Texas and Florida, from hosting national events. In a significant course correction, the organization has announced plans to host events in several states previously blacklisted, indicating a new approach to site selection.

In its statement to Fox News Digital, USA Fencing clarified that it merged various documents into a single comprehensive policy to evaluate bids for national events. This evaluation will consider cost, safety, and travel convenience, leading to national events being spread across nine states, including Texas, Missouri, and Ohio in the forthcoming season.

National Anthem Policy Clarification

In another policy update, the organization reinforced its commitment to playing the national anthem at national tournaments. USA Fencing stated that while this practice has always been in effect, formalizing it ensures clarity in their policies moving forward. The anthem will also be played on relevant U.S. holidays during events.

Turner’s actions have ignited a broader discussion about the intersection of sports, politics, and individual rights. As the landscape of competitive fencing evolves, the implications of these policies continue to resonate across the sports community.

Turner’s steadfast resolve to advocate for her beliefs underscores the ongoing debate surrounding gender identity, fairness in sports, and the politicization of athletics. With USA Fencing’s policy revisions, the organization faces the challenge of balancing inclusivity while respecting the rights and concerns of all its athletes.