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Turner, 31, was disqualified from the Cherry Blossom Open at the University of Maryland on March 30 after refusing to fence a transgender athlete named on the roster, which she recognized the night before, she tells Fox News Digital.
A video now going viral shows Turner kneeling on the piste as the match was about to begin. The referee gave her a black card on the spot, disqualifying her from the tournament.
“I got really sad and started crying,” Turner told Fox News Digital.
“This is a serious issue that is happening within all sports, and it needs to be addressed,” she added. “There is a difference between men and women. It is a civil rights movement for women and girls, and I prioritize the safety and rights and protection of women and girls over trans-identified males”
Just after taking office this year, President Trump signed an executive order signed last month, which bans transgender women and girls from competing in women’s sports.
Footage of Turner's protest has since gone viral, garnering a ton of national attention.
USA Fencing responded, saying its current transgender and non-binary athlete policy was enacted in 2023 “to expand access to the sport of fencing and create inclusive, safe spaces." We will always err on the side of inclusion."
As for the black card? USA Fencing said that’s standard.
“According to the FIE (International Fencing Federation) Technical Rules… a fencer is not permitted to refuse to fence another properly entered fencer for any reason. Under these rules, such a refusal results in disqualification."
Turner’s DQ, they said, applies to this tournament only.
“It was not related to any personal statement,” USA Fencing said, “but was merely the direct result of her decision to decline to fence an eligible opponent."
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