Damien Lehfeldt, a USA Fencing board member, defended trans athletes' rights to compete against women in his blog post. Despite acknowledging the potential physical advantages of transgender women, he emphasized the importance of inclusion and belonging over competitive success. This stance faced backlash when Stephanie Turner was disqualified for refusing to duel a trans fencer, sparking a public outcry over fairness in women's sports. Turner expressed her position stating, 'I am a woman, and this is a man,' which ignited further debate about gender identity and athletic competition policies.
"There is a possibility that transgender women have a physical advantage over their cisgender opponents after transitioning. There is also a possibility they do not."
"Giving athletes a sense of belonging and a will to live is more powerful than medals and competitive glory."
"Transgender women are women and gender is not sex. Transgender fencers deserve the right to compete with the gender they identify with."
"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."
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