USA Fencing changes policies that prioritized LGBTQ-friendly states, prevented playing of national anthem

Decision comes after female fencer's protest against transgender opponent sparked nationwide controversy

June 13, 2025

USA Fencing's board of directors voted to amend its current policy that prioritized states with LGBTQ-friendly laws for host sites for competitions and a policy that may have prevented the playing of the national anthem at some events.

The decision comes after months of criticism for punishing a woman fencer who refused to fence a trans opponent, which included scrutiny from federal lawmakers at a congressional hearing in early May.

The changes were voted into effect at a board of directors meeting on Saturday.

An official announcement states that USA Fencing "adopted a streamlined policy that applies criteria prioritizing cost, safety and convenience to every national-event bid across all 50 states." The new policy "ensures host cities meet stringent member-safety and cost-efficiency standards."

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/usa-fencing-ends-policy-gave-preferential-hosting-treatment-states-lgbtq-friendly-laws