One advocacy organization has given a sportswoman an award for her ‘bravery’ in refusing to participate against a transgender opponent.
Stephanie Turner, a member of the Fencing Academy of Philadelphia, was scheduled to compete against University of Maryland.
Transgender athlete Redmond Sullivan, 20, in a USA Fencing event on March 30, but she decided to forfeit the bout.
After removing her mask and kneeling on the piste in protest, Turner reportedly told her opponent, “I’m sorry, but I will not fence you,” before notifying Sullivan that she would not participate.
In the match. This is a women’s competition, and I’m a woman and you’re a male. I respect and love you very much, but I won’t put up a fight with you.”
The referee gave the 31-year-old a black card for her forfeit, which the Academy of Fencing Masters says is a harsh penalty that signifies the “definitive and negative end of competition for a fencer” who violates the rule of honor.
