https://www.foxnews.com/sports/womens-fencer-reveals-why-she-refused-face-transgender-opponent-accepting-punishment-backlash

Women's fencer opens up on refusing to face transgender opponent, accepting punishment and backlash

The female fencer says the issue has turned her from a lifelong Democrat to a conservative Republican

Women's fencer Stephanie Turner took her mask off and got a knee in front of her transgender opponent.

Ahead of a bout at the Cherry Blossom Open in Maryland over the weekend, Turner, 31, made the decision not to compete against trans athlete Redmond Sullivan. And Turner also wanted to make sure her refusal was caught on video for the world to see.

"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.'

"Redmond didn't hear me, and he comes up to me, and he thinks that I may be hurt, or he doesn't understand what's happening. He asks, ‘Are you OK?’ And I said, ‘I’m sorry. I have much love and respect for you, but I will not fence you."

And right after that, Turner's punishment by USA Fencing commenced.


[At this point the article has a video with a poll by NYT showing that only 18% of Americans think that men should be allowed in women's sports]