Nassau County Approves Controversial Ban on Transgender Athletes
MINEOLA, N.Y. – In a move that has sparked significant public debate and outcry, Nassau County’s legislature has approved a controversial ban on transgender athletes from competing in women’s and girls’ sports at county-owned athletic facilities. The measure, which was endorsed by former Olympian Caitlyn Jenner, passed with a 12-5 vote along party lines, with two legislators not voting—one abstained, and one was ill.
The bill, which was reintroduced earlier this month, affects more than 100 public facilities in the county, including basketball courts, parks, and pools. Under the new law, transgender women will be prohibited from playing on teams designated for women and girls. However, the order does not restrict transgender boys and men from competing on boys’ and men’s teams at county facilities.
This legislative action follows a previous attempt by Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman to impose a similar ban through an executive order, which was struck down by the courts in May. A judge ruled that Blakeman did not have the authority to impose the ban without legislative approval.
“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 said.
However, the decision has been met with strong opposition from civil rights groups and advocates for the LGBTQ+ community. Julie Grey-Owens of Gender Equality New York criticized the legislation, stating, “Nothing says ‘We hate your kind’ like a law that looks to eliminate hard-fought rights. It’s all about discrimination.”
Dolores Covirgu, a mother of a gay, transgender young person, expressed her deep hurt over the decision. “For me, as the mom of a gay, transgender young person, I am deeply, deeply hurt that this is happening in my backyard,” she said.
The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) has already filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Roller Rebels, a roller derby team on Long Island that welcomes trans women. They have vowed to continue fighting and appealing the decision. “I don’t worry about the competitiveness. I think about the family structure. I think about the support system that so many people don’t have in our community, especially trans women and trans girls,” said Brittan Hardgers, a transgender athlete.
Democrats have criticized the ban, arguing that it promotes private interests over the public good. New York Attorney General Letitia James has also ruled that the ban clearly discriminates against transgender people, but Blakeman has countersued, arguing that the measure is about protecting women and girls, who are a protected class under federal law.
Caitlyn Jenner, who won the 1976 Olympic men’s decathlon and later came out as transgender, has been a vocal supporter of the ban. “It’s amazing how much flack I get and all I’m trying to do is protect women,” Jenner said. “You have to compete in the biological sex that you were born. This is critical to protecting the integrity of competition in women’s sports.”
Trans advocates have expressed disappointment that Jenner, one of the world’s most famous transgender individuals, is using her platform in a way that they believe harms already marginalized people. “They roll her out as a representative of the transgender community, when we have seen that she’s nothing more than a reality TV star,” said Juli-Grey Owens, director of Gender Equality New York.
The legislation has also faced criticism for potentially subjecting transgender youth to invasive screenings and bullying. David Kilmnick of the LGBT Network stated, “Women are a protected class just like transgender folks, but the bottom line here is that women are not being discriminated against. Transgender folks are. So let’s be real about what the issues are here.”
During a contentious hearing, Democratic lawmakers likened the restrictions to totalitarian tactics. Transgender rights activists held posters reading “Trans Girls Are Girls” and “Trans Women are Women” at the legislature’s chambers in Mineola, while Republicans spoke in support of the bill.
Republican lawmakers argued that transgender women and girls hold competitive advantages over cisgender women and girls, which could lead to injuries and the loss of scholarship opportunities. “There are just biological advantages that males have,” said Nassau Legislator John Ferretti Jr. “This is just common sense.”
Legislator Rose Marie Walker suggested the creation of a separate league for transgender athletes. However, Democratic Legislator Arnold Drucker argued that the bill was in clear contravention of state law and based on “fear and speculation.”
Victoria LaGreca, a lawyer with the Nassau County attorney’s office, defended the bill, citing four episodes in recent years where cisgender women or girls were injured while playing sports alongside transgender women or girls. “It’s not just scholarships. It’s places on the podium, trophies, medals, and scholarships, and yes, that has been documented as happening,” LaGreca said.
The NYCLU and other civil rights groups have vowed to challenge the legislation in court. In May, a State Supreme Court justice struck down Blakeman’s initial executive order in response to a lawsuit from the NYCLU and the Long Island Roller Rebels. The lawsuit argued that the ban violated state and federal discrimination laws, as well as guidance from the State Education Department.
Despite the legal challenges and public outcry, Blakeman and his supporters remain steadfast in their belief that the ban is necessary to ensure fair competition and safety in women’s sports. “People come up to me every day and say thank you for being out there to protect women’s sports,” Jenner said.
As the legal battles continue, the future of transgender athletes in Nassau County remains uncertain. However, one thing is clear: the debate over this controversial ban is far from over.
Source: CBS New York, WABC-TV
