Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office is investigating USA Fencing over potential violations of state law after it disqualified a female competitor who refused to duel a transgender athlete.
Paxton’s office also issued a Civil Investigative Demand after Stephanie Turner, 31, took a knee rather than face off against 20-year-old Redmond Sullivan, who was born male. The AG’s office says the investigation will uncover documents related to USA Fencing potentially engaging in false, deceptive, and misleading acts and practices.
“USA Fencing is on the wrong side of history and potentially the wrong side of the law due to violations of Texas consumer protection laws,” Paxton said. “USA Fencing’s policies are not only potentially illegal, but also deeply insulting to the young women like Stephanie Turner who have sacrificed so much and dedicated countless hours to compete and succeed in competitions.
Texas AG Ken Paxton
| File Photo
“I will fight to stop these unfair policies, and I will never back down from defending the integrity of women’s sports.”
The incident between Turner and Sullivan took place March 30 at the Cherry Blossom Open in Maryland.
Video footage of the incident shows Turner taking off her mask and kneeling in front of Sullivan.
“I'm sorry,” she told Sullivan. “I have a lot of love and respect for you, but I will not fence you. You're a man, and I'm a woman, and this is a women's tournament.”
Turner was given a black card by officials, suspending her from the competition. USA Fencing says Turner, who is part of the Fencing Academy of Philadelphia, was not disqualified for the protest but because of her refusal to compete.
“I did this for my own physical safety, because this is a combat sport — and, in competition setting, men do fence a lot harder than women and I don’t want to get hurt,” Turner later told The New York Post. “When I first started, this was unfathomable … It makes me very angry to see that we’re going along with somebody else’s fantasy.”
USA Fencing said it remains committed to “fostering an inclusive, respectful community for everyone in our sport.”
“We believe in the principle of creating safe communities where all athletes, and community members, have a place,” USA Fencing said in a statement. “While we understand there are a range of perspectives, USA Fencing will continue to engage in respectful, research-based dialogue and review as policy evolves in the Olympic and Paralympic movement as well as domestic law, hate speech of any kind is not acceptable — online or in person.
“Let’s keep the conversation respectful and the strip welcoming to all.”
XX-XY Athletics, which advocates for women’s rights in sport, named Turner a “Courage Wins Champion” earlier this week and awarded her $5,000.
“By taking a knee, she became more powerful than any male,” XX-XY Athletics founder Jennifer Sey said. “She stood her ground to fight for women’s sports. She’s a hero.”
XX-XY Athletics also includes anti-trans activist Riley Gaines as an ambassador.
"We aim to take the sting out of monetary cancelation and platform these women," Sey said. "They have community. They have support. They will not stand alone."