The Nassau County legislature has approved a controversial bill banning transgender athletes from participating in women’s and girls’ sports at county-owned facilities.
The measure passed on Monday, June 24th, with a 12-5 vote along party lines and affects over 100 public venues, including basketball courts, parks, and pools.
County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who initially introduced the ban as an executive order before a judge struck it down, expressed support for the legislative action.
“Members of the legislature came forward to me and they said, look, we would like to pass this local law to make sure we have fair competition for women, and that we have a safe environment for women,” Blakeman stated.
On February 22, County Executive Blakeman issued an executive order to ensure “fairness for women and girls in sports.” The order sought to prohibit transgender girls and women from competing in county facilities according to their gender identity.
However, a New York Supreme Court judge invalidated this order in May, stating that Blakeman lacked the legislative authority to enact such a mandate.
New York remains one of 25 states that have not enacted statewide legislation prohibiting transgender students from participating in sports teams aligned with their gender identities, as per information from the Movement Advancement Project, a nonprofit research group.
Various other states enforce laws or regulations that prevent such participation, according to the organization’s findings.
Upon the bill’s approval, numerous attendees in the audience expressed their disapproval vocally, chanting “shame, shame, shame.”
The ban has sparked intense debate, with opponents arguing it discriminates against transgender individuals.
Julie Grey-Owens of Gender Equality New York criticized the measure, saying, “Nothing says ‘We hate your kind’ like a law that looks to eliminate hard-fought rights. It’s all about discrimination.”
The legislation has already sparked legal challenges, including a lawsuit filed by the New York Civil Liberties Union on behalf of a local inclusive roller derby team, the Roller Rebels, who are advocating for the rights of transgender athletes.
The legislation does not restrict transgender boys and men from competing on boys’ and men’s teams at county facilities.
This isn’t Nassau County’s initial attempt to restrict transgender girls and women from participating in sports at local facilities.
