Female Fencer Recounts 'Betrayal' by USA Fencing Over Transgender Policy

Fencer's Stand Against Transgender Inclusion

• 🤺 Stephanie Turner recounts her disqualification from a USA Fencing tournament for refusing to compete against a transgender athlete.
• 💔 She describes feeling "betrayed" and "defrauded" by USA Fencing's governing body for their transgender inclusion policy.
• 🗣️ Turner states that the policy sells a "lie" and demeans female athletes by attributing losses to skill rather than biological differences.

Intimidation and Lack of Response

• 🚫 Turner details a "culture of intimidation" within USA Fencing that silences women who disagree with the transgender policy.
• 📢 She highlights that USA Fencing has been unresponsive to women's demands for fair competition, instead promoting male inclusion in the female category.
• ⚖️ The policy is seen as removing fair sport and opportunities from women by allowing men to compete in the women's category.

Impact on Female Athletes

• 📉 Turner explains that the inclusion of transgender athletes in women's fencing impacts speed, power, reaction time, distance control, footwork, and blade work – all attributes affected by sex development.
• 😥 She felt isolated and scared to speak openly about her concerns within the fencing community.
• 📌 The incident led to Turner being placed on a 12-month probation, causing her to step away from the sport.