Stephanie Turner, a 31-year-old fencer, was disqualified from a USA Fencing-sanctioned regional tournament at the University of Maryland after taking a knee and refusing to fence against an opponent she identified as transgender.
We are facing increasing challenges to our beliefs and personal choices in many areas of life, including sports. What should we do when our convictions clash with current policies?
Standing firm in our principles often takes courage. Stephanie Turner showed this courage through her bold decision to stand up for what she believed was right, even knowing she would face consequences.
Taking a Stand on the Fencing Strip
The incident occurred on March 30 at the Cherry Blossom Open in Maryland. Turner had completed four bouts earlier in the tournament before being scheduled to face Redmond Sullivan.
According to Turner, she discovered she would be competing against Sullivan the night before the event when she checked the competition pools.
“I saw that I was going to be in a pool with Redmond, and from there I said, ‘OK, let’s do it. I’m going to take the knee,'” Turner told Fox News Digital.
When the time came for their match, Turner described feeling “nervous and shaky” but remained resolute in her decision. As the bout was about to begin, Turner removed her mask, took a knee, and addressed the referee.
“I took a knee immediately at that point. Redmond was under the impression that I was going to start fencing. So when I took the knee, I looked at the ref and I said, ‘I’m sorry, I cannot do this. I am a woman, and this is a man, and this is a women’s tournament. And I will not fence this individual,'” Turner recounted.
According to Turner, Sullivan approached her with concern, asking if she was okay. Turner responded, “I’m sorry. I have much love and respect for you, but I will not fence you.”
Sullivan reportedly told Turner, “Well you know, there is a member on the board of directors here who supports me, and there is a policy that acknowledges me as a woman, so I am allowed to fence, and you will get blackcarded.” Turner replied that she was aware of the consequences.
Facing the Consequences
Shortly afterward, officials showed Turner a black card, representing the most severe penalty in fencing, which resulted in her disqualification from the remainder of the tournament. She was then escorted to the bout committee where she had to explain her actions.
Turner said committee members provided her with a copy of the association’s transgender policy and required her to sign a document acknowledging the black card, which she signed under objection before being escorted from the venue.
The Organization’s Response
USA Fencing released a statement addressing the incident: “A fencer is not permitted to refuse to fence another properly entered fencer for any reason. Under these rules, such a refusal results in disqualification and the corresponding sanctions. This policy exists to maintain fair competition standards and preserve the sport’s integrity.”
A Decision Guided by Faith and Conviction
Turner revealed that this wasn’t the first time she had encountered this situation. In the past, she had deliberately avoided entering competitions where she knew transgender fencers would be competing.
“In previous years when I had known about transgender fencers being present, I just wouldn’t register, but for this one, Redmond must have signed up after me,” she explained.
Her decision to take a knee was not made lightly. Turner said she paid close attention to the “protect women’s sports” movement and was aware of the potential backlash she might face.
“It will probably, at least for a moment, destroy my life. I don’t think that it’s going to be easy for me from now on going to fencing tournaments. I don’t think it’s going to be easy for me at practice,” Turner admitted. “It’s very hard for me to do this.”
Turner described her decision as one guided by faith, stating, “I was like, ‘You know what, I’m just going to give it to God. If this person shows up to my event and is on my script, then I would take a knee, and that would be God’s will.'”
Standing Firm with Grace
We may not all find ourselves on a fencing strip, but we might face similar challenges — at work, in public, or even within our communities.
When our faith and values are tested, how will we respond? It’s not easy to stand firm, especially when doing so brings consequences. But protecting what we believe, with grace and humility, matters.
Stephanie Turner made her stand clear, but she also responded with respect and care. She expressed love and kindness, even toward the person she could not compete against.
As believers, we are called to speak truth, but always in a way that reflects the love of Christ. May we be faithful to our convictions and gentle in our actions, trusting God with the outcome.
WATCH: Stephanie Turner Speaks Out After Refusing to Compete Against Trans Opponent
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You did what was right! God Bless you and Thank you, we need more people like you..