WASHINGTON, D.C. – Independent Women applauds USA Fencing’s decision to update its competition policy in compliance with the federal executive order issued earlier this year to protect opportunities for women and girls to compete in sports. The new policy, which was posted on July 18, 2025 and takes effect August 1, 2025, ensures that female fencing competitions are reserved for athletes of the female sex.
The updated policy states, “USA Fencing sanctioned events that are not gender-mixed will offer two categories – Women’s and Men’s event categories. The following guidelines should be applied to each category.” Additionally, the update defines the women’s category as, “Athletes who are of the female sex, provided all other entry criteria have been met.”
Payton McNabb, sports ambassador for Independent Women and former high school athlete, said: “USA Fencing deserves recognition for standing up for women and doing what’s right. In the face of growing national pressure and increased sunlight over policies that have allowed males to compete against women, the National Governing Body has taken a necessary step to restore fairness and safety in female fencing. This decision affirms a basic truth: women’s sports are for women. It’s a victory for every girl picking up a foil and sabre.”
Stephanie Turner (left) and Payton McNabb (right) demanding protection of women’s fencing before Congress [Getty Images]
In May, Payton McNabb testified before the U.S. House Oversight Committee’s Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency on the discrimination and dangers of allowing men to compete in women’s sports. Payton testified alongside USA Fencing Board Chair Damien Lehfeldt and Stephanie Turner, competitive fencer who was disqualified from a USA Fencing-sanctioned regional tournament after refusing to compete against a trans-identified male opponent in the women’s division.
Independent Women celebrates this policy update as a major step forward for women in sports and urges other athletic governing bodies to follow USA Fencing’s lead in prioritizing safety, fairness, and biological reality in competition categories.
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