When Gender Ideology Clashes With Common Sense

Gender ideology, at its core, emphasises that gender is not solely determined by biological sex but is also shaped by social, cultural, and psychological factors. Okay, I can accept that. If someone feels that they are actually a woman who happens to have a male body, I feel for them. They should absolutely have the freedom to seek ways that help them feel more accepting and happy within themselves, but this shouldn’t come at the expense of others. When gender ideology conflicts with common sense or leads to impractical outcomes, that’s where I think most people draw the line and begin to push back. Here are a couple of recent examples of such conflict.

On 3 April, the BBC reported: “Fencer disqualified for refusal to compete against transgender opponent.” During the Cherry Blossom fencing tournament held at the University of Maryland on 30 March, Stephanie Turner, a female fencer, was disqualified after refusing to compete against Redmond Sullivan, a transgender opponent. Turner took a knee in protest before the match began, stating that she could not participate due to her objections to USA Fencing’s gender eligibility policy—a policy that has been in place since 2023. She was subsequently issued a black card, which resulted in her disqualification.

Explaining her decision, Ms. Turner stated: “I knew what I had to do because USA Fencing had not been listening to women’s objections [regarding its gender eligibility policy]. 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, and this is a women's tournament. And I will not fence this individual.’”

USA Fencing clarified that the disqualification was not related to Turner’s personal statement but was a direct consequence of her refusal to compete, which violates the rules set by the International Fencing Federation. The organisation also emphasised its commitment to inclusivity and adherence to international standards.

Of course, the incident sparked significant debate, with some supporting Turner’s stance and others defending the inclusivity policies. It also drew attention from public figures, such as former tennis player Martina Navratilova, who tweeted: “This is what happens when female athletes protest! Anyone here still thinks this is fair? I am fuming… and shame on USA Fencing, shame on you for doing this. How dare you throw women under the gender BS bus!”

Another recent example of gender ideology clashing with common sense, on 31 March, Newsweek reported: “Toddler's Suspension for ‘Transphobia’ Sparks Global Controversy”. The incident involved a British nursery suspending a small child, aged 3 or 4, for alleged “abuse against sexual orientation and gender identity.” This decision, made during the 2022–23 academic year, sparked widespread backlash and debate about disciplinary policies in early childhood education. The case has sparked ongoing discussions about finding the right balance between inclusivity, fairness, and proportionality.

But seriously, what kind of teacher would label a toddler as transphobic? What could a child that young possibly have done to warrant suspension? “Excuse me Mr Williams. Why are you wearing makeup and a dress?” “Sammy, I’ve told you many times now—I’m now Mrs Williams.”

Sammy wasn’t the only one. 94 pupils at state primary schools were suspended or permanently excluded for transphobia and homophobia in 2022-23. But the real concern here isn’t the three-year-old “transphobe,” but rather the adult imposing such concepts and beliefs onto young children. I would argue that this is the most troubling aspect of all. They claim to be protecting children, but what impact does branding a four-year-old as “transphobic” and suspending them have on that child’s mental wellbeing?

The case drew widespread criticism, of course, with critics—including public figures like J.K. Rowling—labelling the suspension as extreme and questioning the transparency of the case, as no specific details about the child’s actions were disclosed. Specifically, Ms. Rowling tweeted: “This is totalitarian insanity. If you think small children should be punished for being able to recognise sex, you are a dangerous zealot who should be nowhere near kids or in any position of authority over them.”

Anyway, these examples illustrate how gender ideology can evolve from harmless academic discussions to dangerous overreach, resulting in disturbing real-world consequences.

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