NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
EXCLUSIVE: Fencer Stephanie Turner became a prominent activist to protect women’s sports in 2025 after footage of her kneeling in protest against a transgender opponent went viral in April.
It was the last USA Fencing competition she competed in. In the nine months since then, USA Fencing has been scrutinized on a congressional hearingfaced multiple lawsuits over the issue of trans-inclusion, changed its gender eligibility policy to only allow women to compete in women’s competitions, replaced its board chairman and even issued a statement acknowledging that it is seeking to win back the trust of its athletes and fans after a year of controversy.
But Turner suggested she is looking for more reassurance when asked by Pakinomist Digital if she would consider returning to USA Fencing in the wake of the recent changes.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
“This leadership change at USA Fencing is just a game of musical chairs. These board members are cut from the same cloth, and without a watchful eye, they will resort to the same policies that got them a congressional hearing in the first place. Because of the ongoing litigation, I prefer to return when the dust settles,” Turner said.
USA Fencing responded to whether Turner would be welcome back.
“USA Fencing welcomes participation from any eligible athlete who meets our current membership requirements and competition rules. Our focus remains on promoting a safe, respectful and positive environment for everyone involved in the sport,” the organization said in a statement provided to Pakinomist Digital.
When Turner knelt in protest against a trans fencer at the Cherry Blossom Open in Maryland on the last weekend in March, she was black-carded – the toughest punishment in the sport. She was disqualified from the event, escorted out of the venue and then placed on 12 months probation by the organization.
But Turner chose to walk away from the organization all together, focusing her attention on activism to protect women’s sports.
Turner testified at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) subcommittee hearing about transgender athletes, which became a major flashpoint in the political conflict over the protection of women’s sports in the United States
USA FENCING SEEKS TO ‘GAIN TRUST OF ATHLETES AND FANS AFTER YEARS PLAGUED BY TRANSGENDER CONTROVERSY
Turner previously told Pakinomist Digital after the hearing in May that she would work to lobby for leadership changes for USA Fencing after stepping away from the sport.
“I’m going to push for people to resign, to be honest. I’d like to see some people resign for the comments they’ve made, especially in public, those that are harassing and intended to humiliate concerned women, mothers and daughters,” Turner said.
USA Fencing’s board of directors then voted to change its policy priority states with LGBTQ-friendly laws for pageant hosting sites and a policy that may have prevented the playing of the national anthem at some events, at its June 7 meeting.
Then in July, USA Fencing changed its transgender entry policy to only allow female competitors to enter the women’s category. The change was made to ensure compliance with the USOPC’s new athlete safety policy, which now cites President Donald Trump‘s order on “Keeping men out of women’s sports”.
In October, former USA Fencing chairman Damien Lehfeldt declined to seek re-election. Paralympic medalist Dr. Scott Rodgers was elected as the organization’s new chairman, becoming the first active athlete and first parafencer to lead the board.
In late November, USA Fencing released a statement to Pakinomist Digital expressing its desire to gain the trust of fans and athletes.
“USA Fencing remains deeply committed to earning and maintaining the trust of our athletes, fans and the broader fencing community. The election of Dr. Scott Rodgers as Board Chairman reflects our dedication to athlete-centered governance and the continued growth of fencing at all levels,” the statement said. “We acknowledge the challenges of recent months and are focused on moving forward with integrity, transparency and a clear vision for the future.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
The US Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) (C) speaks with Stephanie Turner (L) and Payton McNabb (R) during the hearing on “Unfair Play: Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” held by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) subcommittee at the US Capitol in Washington, District of Columbia, May 2027. (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)
USA Fencing will develop the sport on NCAA levelannouncing that Arcadia University in Pennsylvania and Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey will add men’s and women’s fencing teams to its varsity sports beginning in the fall of 2027.
The organization is currently sued by US Olympic fencer Margherita Guzzi Vincenti, along with fellow competitive female fencers Emma Griffin and Patricia Hughes, who claim that USA Fencing deliberately allowed biological males to compete in women’s divisions while promoting women-only events at the 2025 North American Cup (NAC) in Kansas City, Missouri, in January.
