Nassau County exec signs transgender athlete ban into law; NY attorney general and NYCLU file lawsuit against it

NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman signed a new law that bans transgender girls and women from participating in women’s sporting events at county-run parks and facilities on Monday.

Shortly after Blakeman signed Local Law 121-24, New York Attorney General Letitia James and the New York Civil Liberties Union filed lawsuits against Nassau County and Blakeman, stating the law conflicts with state laws protecting New Yorkers from discrimination based on gender identity or expression. James seeks a court order to strike down the law and prevent Nassau County from enforcing it.

“With this law, Nassau County is once again attempting to exclude transgender girls and women from participating in sporting events while claiming to support fairness,” James said.

Blakeman signed the controversial ban after it passed along party lines in the Nassau County legislature last month.  The ban was also  endorsed by transgender former Olympian Caitlyn Jenner.

The local law is substantively identical to the County Executive’s order, which was struck down by an NYCLU lawsuit last month.

“Nassau County’s relentless efforts to shut transgender women and girls out of sports will leave a lasting stain on the County’s government and legislature,” said Gabriella Larios, staff attorney at the NYCLU. “It is abundantly clear that any attempt to ban trans women and girls from sports is prohibited by our state’s anti discrimination laws. It was true when we successfully struck down County Executive Blakeman’s transphobic policy and it is true now. This latest round of hateful legislation is unacceptable and we won’t let it stand in New York.”

The suit argues that the new county law violates the state Human Rights Law, state Civil Rights Law, and Section 10 of the Municipal Home Rule Law, which allows local laws as long as they are consistent with state laws.

NYCLU filed the lawsuit on behalf of the Long Island Roller Rebels, a Nassau County recreational women’s flat track roller derby league.

“Sports should be about challenging yourself and finding joy through movement. With this shameful law, our lawmakers are joining the effort to deprive people of these benefits while sending the message that trans people do not belong in Nassau County,” said Curly Fry (they/them), president of Long Island Roller Rebels. “Trans people belong everywhere including in sports. Much like we defeated the transphobic executive order, we will fight this new law and ensure all community members can join a sports team and feel welcome.”