A female fencer has been expelled after she refused to compete against a male, taking a knee in a brave display at the start of the competition.
Redmond Sullivan, a man who competed in the female fencing tournament this year despite competing as a man just last season, was allowed to compete as a woman because of USA Fencing’s rules that prioritize transgenders’ feelings over fairness in women’s sports. Sullivan easily won his last competition after switching to female fencing last year at the Connecticut Division Junior Olympic Qualifiers.
However, his “victory” this past weekend rang hollow, as his female opponent refused to compete. Female fencer Stephanie Turner immediately took a knee at the start of her competition, refusing to bow down to the transgender agenda or put herself in danger fighting a male in a contact sport.
Instead of simply being presented with a loss for forfeiting, USA Fencing presented Turner with a black card, disqualifying her and expelling her from the entire event.
The Independent Council on Women’s Sports (ICONS) shared footage of the incident in a post on X, calling it a “Historic Protest.”
🤺🚨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
In a statement to The Daily Wire, USA Fencing director of communications Bryan Wendell — who has his male pronouns in his email signature — defended the decision to expel the female fencer while opining about inclusivity.
“In the case of Stephanie Turner, her disqualification was not related to any personal statement but was merely the direct result of her decision to decline to fence an eligible opponent, which the FIE rules clearly prohibit,” Wendell wrote in the email. “USA Fencing is obligated to follow the letter of those rules and ensure that participants respect the standards set at the international level. We remain committed to inclusivity within our sport while also upholding every requirement dictated by our governing body.”
Meanwhile, social media users praised Turner and slammed USA Fencing on X, filling up the organization’s comment sections on unrelated posts with criticism and protests in support of women’s rights.
“This young woman taking the knee has more integrity than the whole of your organization, including the men wearing lipstick you allow to compete against the girls,” one user wrote
This young woman taking the knee has more integrity than the whole of your organization, including the men wearing lipstick you allow to compete against the girls.
Eff you #ProtectWomen #TransWomenAreConMen
— 🃏👩🏻💻🐊🤡🇺🇸 (@Allygeighter) April 2, 2025
“I hope you will stand up for women’s rights and sex based sports. Celebrate the brave young woman who took a knee rather than compete against a man, and tell Redmond Sullivan he has to fence in the men’s division like he did last year,” another user wrote.
I hope you will stand up for women's rights and sex based sports. Celebrate the brave young woman who took a knee rather than compete against a man, and tell Redmond Sullivan he has to fence in the men's division like he did last year. https://t.co/1PkTGtPF1S
— VideoGuy67 (@VideoGuy67) April 2, 2025
“Once again a woman suffers to accommodate a delusional man,” wrote Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.
A female fencer engages in a historic protests by taking a knee before her match against a male opponent, Redman Sullivan. She was immediately disqualified and expelled from the tournament. Once again a woman suffers to accommodate a delusional man. pic.twitter.com/PiaAp4MRjh
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) April 2, 2025
