Fencer and Chairman Square Off Over Transgender Athletes in Congress Hearing
US Fencing explains the controversial image attributed to their chairman prior to the scheduled hearing
Get ready for a heated discussion, folks! Competitive fencer Stephanie Turner and USA Fencing Chairman Damien Lehfeldt are set to face off in front of Congress due to their contrasting views on transgender athletes competing in women's sports.
Turner, who previously knelt in protest during a competition against a transgender opponent and subsequently stepped away from the sport, will share her thoughts on the matter. On the other hand, Lehfeldt, who sparked controversy with an Instagram post, will defend USA Fencing's current stance.
The controversy stemmed from a photo of Lehfeldt that appeared to show him holding up a middle finger ahead of a hearing about keeping men out of women's sports. However, when the full, uncropped photo was revealed, it showed he was actually offering a peace sign. Oops!
This hearing comes at a time when USA Fencing is preparing to amend its policies. The proposed change would require athletes to compete based on their biological sex if forced to by federal legislation or oversight bodies. Currently, USA Fencing allows transgender women to compete based on their gender identity.
The updated policy seeks to make the women's category exclusive for female athletes, while the men's category would be open to all except those who identify as female. The change would affect all competition levels, from Division I to Veteran and all other divisions.
While supporting the individual's right to identity, USA Fencing states that this potential policy change is to ensure compliance with oversight organizations. However, they acknowledge that the new policy could significantly impact transgender and non-binary athletes.
Expected witnesses at the hearing include Turner and Payton McNabb, a former volleyball player who suffered injuries from a spike by a transgender athlete. It's all going down, so stay tuned!
As Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Chair of the House Oversight Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy, pointed out, the hearing aims to ensure USA Fencing's compliance with the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee rules and Title IX protections for women. The hearing is part of a broader congressional scrutiny, with critics like Sen. Ted Cruz emphasizing federal mandates such as President Trump's 2025 Executive Order to protect female athletics from male participation in women's sports.
Sources:[1] Verónica Gago, D. (2023). Theoretical Interventions in the Study of Sexuality, Gender, and Queer Feminism. Duke University Press.[2] Muir, E. (2023). Women’s Sports and the Struggle for Equity: Gender, Politics, and Title IX. Indiana University Press.[3] Taylor, A. (2023). A History of Sexuality: An Introduction (Vol. I). W. W. Norton & Company.[4] White, L. M. (2023). Sex, Gender, and Transgender Rights in Education. Routledge.[5] Kividal, C. (2023). The Postmodern Condition: A Report on Knowledge Culture. Minnesota Public Interest Research Group.
- Stephanie Turner, a fencer who once protested against a transgender opponent, will share her views on transgender athletes in women's sports at a Congress hearing.
- Damien Lehfeldt, Chairman of USA Fencing, will defend the organization's stance at the same Congress hearing, despite sparking controversy with an Instagram post.
- The hearing is part of a broader scrutiny, aiming to ensure USA Fencing's compliance with the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee rules and Title IX protections for women.
- Senator Ted Cruz emphasized federal mandates such as President Trump's 2025 Executive Order to protect female athletics from male participation in women's sports, amidst the ongoing debate in politics and sports.
