USA Fencing Transgender and Non-Binary Policy#

USA Fencing is committed to ensuring athletes have the opportunity to participate in USA Fencing sanctioned events on a fair, inclusive and safe basis without discrimination. Currently USA Fencing has two divisions — men’s and women’s — that default to using the gender binary to determine participation in each division.

However, we recognize not all individuals’ gender identities are binary, and a gender binary default for participation could potentially cause harm — leaving some individuals to feel excluded and unsafe. Within our divisions, USA Fencing will not discriminate on the basis of gender identity, regardless of sex assigned at birth, or any other form of gender expression for participation in any division. As such, athletes will be permitted to participate in USA Fencing sanctioned events in a manner consistent with their gender identity/ expression, regardless of the gender associated with the sex they were assigned at birth in accordance with the guidelines listed below. 

A. Registration and Participation for Athletes Participating in Domestic Competitions

To participate in a USA Fencing-sanctioned event, athletes are to register with USA Fencing as the gender in which they identify and wish to compete during registration/renewal. Please note, this selection will be logistically binding and athletes will not be permitted to modify their gender during the season. If the athlete registers as a gender other than their gender associated with the sex assigned at birth, they should adhere to the the following requirements:

Youth (Y10, Y12, Y14)

• Transgender and nonbinary athletes competing in youth events are permitted to compete in the gender category with which they identify, without restriction. 
• Registration and/or other documents submitted on behalf of a minor must be submitted by, or with the express approval of, a parent or guardian.

Cadet

• Transgender and nonbinary athletes competing in youth events are permitted to compete in the gender category with which they identify.
• Registration and/or other documents submitted on behalf of a minor must be submitted by, or with the express approval of, a parent or guardian.
• Transgender and nonbinary Cadet athletes who qualify to compete in junior and/or senior competitions must adhere to the requirements for transgender and nonbinary athletes in those divisions (see below).

Junior, Senior and Veteran athletes

See requirements below for national ranking competitions

• Transgender male (FTM) athletes:
  • Athletes who have received a medical exception for treatment with testosteron for purposes of USA Fencing sanctioned competitions may compete in men's events, and are no longer eligible to compete in women's events.
  • Athletes who are not taking testosterone related to gender transition may participate in either men’s or women’s events.
• Transgender female (MTF) athletes:
  • Athletes being treated with testosterone suppression medication, for the purposes of USA Fencing-sanctioned competitions may continue to compete in men’s events, but may only compete in women’s events after completing one calendar year (12 months) of testosterone suppression treatment. Proof of compliant hormone therapy must be provided prior to competition. 
• Nonbinary athletes:
  • Athletes are permitted to compete as the gender of which they identify as at the time of registration. However, if an athletes wishes to compete as a gender opposite of the gender associated with the sex assigned at birth, they must adhere to the aforementioned guidelines for transgender athletes. 

B. Registration and Participation for Athletes Participating in International Competitions

Any athlete who qualifies for the International Fencing Federation (FIE) World Championship and/or any competitions hosted by the FIE, are to adhere to the compliance requirements setforth by the FIE Transgender Policy. Failure to adhere to FIE transgender policy guidelines impact the athlete’s participation in international competition. 

For the most up-to-date international transgender policies, refer to the International Olympic Committee and FIE.

C. USA Fencing Classification

Transgender athletes will be permitted to keep the fencing classification that was held prior to transitioning. For example, a transgender woman who held an A classification in the men’s division will keep her A classification in the women’s division.

D. USA Fencing National Rankings (points)

If an athlete changes their gender category, points earned under their previous gender category will be forfeited and not applied to the athlete’s record.

E. National Championship Qualification

Athletes who qualify for USA Fencing National Championships must compete in the National Championship event as the gender under which they qualified.

F. Appeals

Appeals are to be reported in accordance with all disciplinary procedures and dispute resolutions as listed in the Athlete Handbook.

G. Anti-Doping Requirements Remain Applicable

In accordance with the FIE, it is the responsibility of the athlete to monitor testosterone level(s), and submit appropriate documentation to satisfy anti-doping policies. 

If hormonal medications utilized for gender transition are listed on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s Prohibited List USADA can grant a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). The TUE application process is thorough and designed to balance the need to provide athletes access to critical medication while protecting the rights of athletes to compete on a level playing field.

Further information regarding the TUE application process can be found here.

Report of Grievance
Abuse and/or harmful acts towards the transgender and nonbinary community will not be tolerated. Any instances or grievances should be immediately reported to the USA Fencing Safe Sport coordinator and the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. Complete the short online reporting form here.

Policy development governing the inclusion of transgender and nonbinary athletes is an emerging endeavor. As new research on the participation of these athletes and the physiological effects of gender transition on athletic performance becomes available, policies are subject to re-evaluation and change to ensure they reflect the most current evidence-based information.

Additional Resources

• Transgender Athlete Inclusion in sports (Stack the Deck Against Hate & Athlete Ally)
• Trans Rights are Human Rights (Athlete Ally)
• Gender Affirming and Inclusive Athletics Participation (GLSEN)
• Be an Ally - Support Trans Equality (Human Rights Campaign)
• USOPC Gender Inclusion Terms & Definitions

Implementation Note:
This revised policy is not currently in effect. It will only be implemented if required by oversight bodies (USOPC, IOC, FIE, IPC) or U.S. federal law. Until such time, the current policy remains effective.

USA Fencing Transgender & Nonbinary Policy — April 15, 2025

I.The Scope

The proposed policy options are designed to provide clarity for the participation of transgender and non-binary individuals participating in USA Fencing sanctioned competitions. The proposed policy will not apply to: 

Unsanctioned fencing events or activity 

• Any area or activity that is not considered a competition.

II.Membership Profiles 

All USA Fencing members are permitted to willingly change their gender identity to that of which they identify in the “Personal Information” section of their membership profile, as well as their pronouns that they wish to be addressed by. This does not define eligibility to participate in events and therefore does not impact competition sex.

III.Policy for Domestic Competition

Event Categories

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. 

• Women’s category: Athletes who are of the female sex, provided all other entry criteria have been met
• Men’s category: Open to all athletes not eligible for the Women’s Category, including transgender women, transgender men, non-binary and intersex athletes, and cisgender male athletes, provided that all other entry criteria have been met.
• Mixed events can still be sanctioned by USA Fencing.

IV.International Competition

Any athlete who qualifies for competitions hosted by the International Fencing Federation (FIE) World Championship or World Abilitysport, are to adhere to the compliance requirements set forth by said organization’s eligibility policies. Failure to adhere to that organization’s transgender and non-binary policy guidelines may impact the athlete’s participation in international competition, and result in disciplinary action.

For the updated international transgender policies, please refer to the International Olympic Committee, FIE and World Abilitysport.

V.Anti-Doping Requirements Remain Applicable

In accordance with the FIE and World Abilitysport, it is the responsibility of the athlete to monitor testosterone level(s) and submit appropriate documentation to satisfy anti-doping policies. 

If hormonal medications utilized for gender transition are listed on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s Prohibited List USADA can, at their exclusive discretion, grant a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). The TUE application process is thorough and designed to balance the need to provide athletes access to critical medication while protecting the rights of athletes to compete on a level playing field. 

Further information regarding the TUE application process can be found here. 

VI.Reporting Grievances

Abuse, harassment, and/or harmful acts towards the transgender and nonbinary community will not be tolerated. Any instances or grievances should be immediately reported to USA Fencing Compliance and Safe Sport Complete the online reporting form here. 

** It is important to note that there may be existent laws per state, and an evolving federal legal landscape that have implications on the adherence to the proposed policy. In such cases, it is the responsibility of that event host(s) or individual(s) to make USA Fencing aware.  

Policy development governing transgender and non-binary participation in sport is a fluid and ongoing phenomenon. As new research on physiological effects of gender transition on athletic performance emerge, policies are subject to reevaluation and change to ensure they reflect the most current evidence-based information. **

Vocabulary

• Gender - Broadly, gender is a set of socially constructed roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes that a given society considers appropriate (see Social Construction Theory).
• Sex – Refers to the allocation of male or female assessed at the birth of an individual.
• Gender Binary - A system in which gender is constructed into two strict categories of male or female. Gender identity is expected to align with the sex assigned at birth and gender expressions and roles fit traditional expectations.
• Gender Identity - One’s innermost concept of self as male, female, a blend of both or neither – how individuals perceive themselves and what they call themselves. One's gender identity can be the same or different from their sex assigned at birth.
• Gender Expression - External appearance of one's gender identity, usually expressed through behavior, clothing, body characteristics or voice, and which may or may not conform to socially defined behaviors and characteristics typically associated with being either masculine or feminine.
• Cisgender - A term used to describe a person whose gender identity aligns with those typically associated with the sex assigned to them at birth.
• Mixed-category – Indication that the category is open to all gender identity(ies).  
• Non-binary - An adjective describing a person who does not identify exclusively as a man or a woman. Non-binary people may identify as being both a man and a woman, somewhere in between, or as falling completely outside these categories. While many also identify as transgender, not all non-binary people do. Non-binary can also be used as an umbrella term encompassing identities such as agender, bigender, genderqueer or gender-fluid.
• Transgender - An adjective to describe people whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. People who are transgender may also use other terms, in addition to transgender, to describe their gender more specifically. Use the term(s) the person uses to describe themself. It is important to note that being transgender is not dependent upon physical appearance or medical procedures. A person can call themself transgender the moment they realize that their gender identity is different than the sex they were assigned at birth.

Related Research Studies:

Tidmas V, Halsted C, Cohen M, Bottoms L. The Participation of Trans Women in Competitive Fencing and Implications on Fairness: A Physiological Perspective Narrative Review. Sports. 2023; 11(7):133. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports11070133

FBASES, R. B., & Hicks, K. (2021). The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences Expert Statements. Journal of Sports Sciences, 39(S2), 1-66.

D2.S2.1(2) The BASES Expert Statement on Eligibility for Sex Categories in Sport: Trans Athletes Produced on behalf of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences by Dr Georgina Stebbings, Dr Adam Herbert, Dr Shane Heffernan, Prof Roger Pielke Jr., Prof RossTucker and Dr Alun Williams.