Trans fencer against whom female rival took knee will no longer compete on college team

COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND: Transgender fencer Redmond Sullivan has officially left the Wagner College Women’s Fencing Team following the uproar over their participation in a women's USA fencing tournament,

The controversy erupted when fellow fencer Stephanie Turner refused to face Sullivan at the Cherry Blossom Open in Maryland, opting instead to take a knee as a form of protest. 

Turner, who had been informed she would compete against Sullivan, chose to make a statement by kneeling just before the match began, ensuring her protest was caught on video. 

Redmond Sullivan's club team expresses full support after controversy with Stephanie Turner

Following the controversy at the Cherry Blossom Open in Maryland, Wagner College confirmed to Fox News Digital that Redmond Sullivan had been removed from the team more than a week after the incident.

Sullivan had competed for the Wagner women’s fencing team in the foil competition during the first half of the 2024-25 season, though she was also listed on the men's team roster during the 2023-24 season, according to scoresheets from that time.

The controversy coincided with a shift in the NCAA’s transgender-inclusion policy, which came after President Donald Trump signed the "No Men in Women's Sports" executive order. The revised policy states, "A student-athlete assigned male at birth may not compete on a women’s team."

Despite this, USA Fencing has stood by its transgender participation policies. Sullivan’s club team, Iconic Fencing Club, expressed full support for her after the event with Turner, stating, "Red has followed every rule and guideline set forth by the FIE and USA Fencing. She has every right to compete in the events that she qualifies for, and has long since met the criteria to do so."

The club emphasized, "Fencing is rooted in a deep tradition of honor, sportsmanship, inclusion, and respect, and in a sport that prides itself on these values, the type of behavior expressed by Red’s opponent has no place. Iconic Fencing Club supports Red in her fencing journey and will continue to do so in the future.."

Internet asks why Redmond Sullivan can't compete on the 'men's team'

After news broke that Redmond Sullivan had left the college team due to the controversy, many on the internet quickly voiced their opinions, with numerous people raising questions about the situation.  

One user questioned, "Open question to anyone who wants to answer. Exactly what is it that prevents this MAN from competing on the MEN’s Team?" to which one user asked, "He was losing??"  

A commenter praised Turner, "This young woman showed true courage. This MAN, competing against women, was exposed by her bravery. That is the only reason HE is now off the team. Her bravery got this school CAUGHT. They are so embarrassed by this they kicked the MAN off the women's team. Celebrate this courageous young woman. She is an example for every woman asked to compete against a m." 

A user expressed frustration, "Men can’t be women, even a child knows that but this fencing team doesn’t?  It’s against the laws of nature and the USA for men to compete against women." 

A social media user wrote, "There is no reason Sullivan cannot be on the mens fencing team! I'd venture to say that Turner would be happy to see Sullivan continue being a fencer....on the MENS team." 

One individual added, "She stood her ground. Kudos to Stephanie. Let Sulliven compete with the men." The last user explained, "Males and females fence a little differently. Female fencers win with elegance and deception, male fencers win with power and strength. It's unfair to make them opponents in a tournament."

This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online