The transgender fencer who sparked a protest at a competition last month is no longer on her college’s team, it has been reported.
Wagner College’s Redmond Sullivan was set to compete against Stephanie Turner at the Cherry Blossom Open when Turner refused to face her trans opponent – taking a knee, removing her mask and ultimately earning a disqualification from the tournament.
Now, Wagner has confirmed to Fox News Digital that the athlete is no longer on the team.
Sullivan had competed for the school’s women’s team in several meets this season after competing for the men’s team last year.
When Turner refused to compete against Sullivan, she told her: ‘I am sorry. I have a lot of love and respect for you, but I will not fence you. ‘
USA Fencing later released a statement saying that Turner’s disqualification was ‘not related to any personal statement,’ but instead ‘the direct result of her decision to decline to fence an eligible opponent, which the FIE [International Fencing Federation] rules clearly prohibit.
Redmond Sullivan was set to face Stephanie Turner, who took a knee and refused to compete
Turner had been fencing for the women’s team at Wagner College, though she is no longer on the team
Stephanie Turner, 31, took a knee and walked out of her match against a transgender rival
Nonetheless, the statement strongly defended transgender inclusion in the sport.
‘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 said.
‘The policy is based on the principle that everyone should have the ability to participate in sports and was based upon the research available of the day.
‘We understand that the conversation on equity and inclusion pertaining to transgender participation in sport is evolving.
‘USA Fencing will always err on the side of inclusion, and we’re committed to amending the policy as more relevant evidence-based research emerges, or as policy changes take effect in the wider Olympic & Paralympic movement.’
In an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com, Turner revealed she had been scared to reach out to USA Fencing with her concerns, given the pro-trans views of high-ranking officials within the governing body.
‘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 said.
‘There are a lot of people who are for this [trans athletes in women’s sports] who are referees.
‘I would lose favor within the sight of referees and I could end up with a biased bout. I could lose friends who I don’t know what their position is on this.
‘So what I was doing already was just avoiding tournaments where I knew there was a transgender fencer. But at this point, what else should I do? Should I just not sign up for any tournaments? I have no other options.’
However, her protest was recognized this week by XX-XY Athletics, which calls itself ‘the only athletic brand that stands up for women’s sports.’
The company awarded Turner with the Courage Wins Award and announced she would receive a $5,000 prize, as well as admittance into a leadership program.
The issue of trans athletes competing in women’s sports has been further amplified since President Trump signed an executive order in February which banned trans women from competing in women’s competitions.
‘A student-athlete assigned male at birth may not compete on a women’s team,’ the policy reads in part.
