New York’s Attorney General and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) are suing Nassau County over its ban on transgender women participating in female sports teams. This new law replaces an executive order that was recently overturned by a New York court in February. The Nassau County Legislature passed the new law in June with a vote of 12 to 5.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman expressed disappointment with the Attorney General’s lawsuit, stating, “I am very disappointed that the Attorney General would attempt to frustrate Nassau County’s desire to protect the integrity of women’s sports.”
Attorney General Leticia James argues that the Nassau County law violates New York State’s Human Rights Law, Civil Rights Law, and Section 10 of the Municipal Home Rule Law. She emphasized, “Here in New York, every person has the right to be exactly who they are free from discrimination, and my office will always protect that right.”
The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) also criticized the law, stating that it forces invasive inquiries into the gender identities of cis and transgender women alike, violating their privacy and autonomy. They announced, “We’re suing Nassau County – again – for their discriminatory law banning trans girls and women from participating in girls’ and women’s sports at county-run facilities.”
Earlier this year, Judge Francis Ricigliano had struck down the initial executive order by Blakeman in response to a lawsuit filed by the NYCLU on behalf of the Long Island Roller Rebels, a women’s roller derby league. The judge ruled that Blakeman did not have the authority to issue such an order.
The controversy underscores a broader national debate. While New York and several other states allow transgender students to participate in sports based on their gender identity, over 20 states have enacted laws restricting such participation.
Also Read:
- Governor Pritzker Signs New LGBTQ+ Bills as Pride Month Concludes
- LGBTQ+ Communities in Rural Regions: Challenges and Triumphs
The ACLU and NYCLU are determined to challenge what they see as discriminatory legislation, aiming to ensure inclusivity and equal opportunities in sports for all community members.
