Stephanie Turner would do it all over again.
The fencer who was disqualified and suspended over her refusal to face a transgender opponent at a USA Fencing event in April initially feared she’d ruined her life with the decision.
‘This has caused so much of a hindrance to my life personally, and it’s caused me so much emotional turmoil that I’m just so glad this is over and that there are a lot of women and girls out there who are very appreciative of this victory,’ Turner, a Maryland native and self-described former Democrat, told Fox News.
Since her suspension, Turner testified before a House Oversight DOGE Subcommittee hearing on the subject in May, while Team USA and USA Fencing have both changed policy regarding transgender athletes in women’s competition.
Effective August 1, USA Fencing will allow only ‘athletes who are of the female sex’ in women’s competition. Meanwhile, men’s events will be open to ‘all athletes not eligible for the women’s category, including transgender women, transgender men, non-binary and intersex athletes and cisgender male athletes.’
Turner now says she has no regrets over her protest and credits USA Fencing’s decision to President Donald Trump and his executive order rescinding funding to organizations that allow transgender athletes to compete with women and girls.
In April, Turner decided to take a knee rather than face a transgender opponent
Stephanie Turner, 31, took a knee and walked out of her match against a trans rival in Maryland
‘I just have to say thank you [to Trump],’ Turner said. ‘I voted for him, and this was a huge reason why I voted for him. And to see him come through for me and for women and girls so soon into his administration, it just, I mean, that’s a huge victory. I’ve never seen politics work in my favor immediately, effectively, efficiently. … I’m just so grateful for that executive order.’
The advocacy group that represents Turner, The Independent Council on Women’s Sports (ICONS), is now pushing for mandatory gender screenings for all female athletes.
‘The next critical step is for the USOPC to implement sex screening protocols,’ read a group statement. ‘This will ensure that women are guaranteed equal, fair and safe opportunities in athletic competition. ICONS will not rest until every girl, at every level, in every sport has access to fair competition and privacy in locker rooms. ‘The U.S. has a chance to be a leader in standing up for the fair treatment of women around the world.’
Gender screenings typically rely on genetic testing and involve a cheek swab. Critics have argued that the process could discriminate against those with intersex characteristics since birth.
Stephanie Turner, the US fencer who refused to compete against a transgender opponent, arrives for a House Oversight DOGE Subcommittee hearing on trans people in women’s sports
Speaking with Fox, Turner echoed support for genetic testing.
‘Enforcement of this policy is going to be essential,’ Turner said.
‘You can’t rely on documentation anymore. You can’t rely on drivers license(s), you can’t rely on birth certificates because those can all be edited.’
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee banned transgender women from competing in women’s sports earlier this week, telling various federations it has an ‘obligation to comply’ with Trump’s executive order.
‘As a federally chartered organization, we have an obligation to comply with federal expectations,’ USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland and President Gene Sykes wrote in a statement. ‘Our revised policy emphasizes the importance of ensuring fair and safe competition environments for women. All National Governing Bodies are required to update their applicable policies in alignment.’
