Judge strikes down anti-trans sports ban after roller derby team fights for its members

Earlier this week, a judge in Nassau County, New York overturned an anti-trans sports ban targeting trans women and girls.

On February 22, 2024, Nassau County executive and Republican Bruce Blakeman issued an executive order that banned trans women from participating in women’s sports. Shortly thereafter, the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Long Island Roller Rebels, a flat track roller derby team that welcomes trans women.

Related: New York AG Letitia James keeps on standing up for LGBTQ+ people

“I am proud to stand with my fellow attorneys general against this blatant transphobic discrimination.”

Gabriella Larios, staff attorney at the NYCLU, celebrated in a press release the end to the “harmful policy” that “belongs in the dustbin of history.”

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“The ruling deals a serious blow to County Executive Blakeman’s attempt to score cheap political points by peddling harmful stereotypes about transgender women and girls.”

Nassau County Supreme Court Judge Francis Ricigliano issued the ruling, stating that Blakeman did not have the authority to instate such a sweeping executive order. This diverges from the lawsuit’s arguments that this executive order violated the state’s Human Rights Law and Civil Rights Law, an argument also made against the order by New York Attorney General Letitia James earlier this year (D).

“With the stated goal of protecting women’s and girls’ rights to compete athletically, the County Executive issued an Executive Order aimed at preventing transgender women from participating in girls’ and women’s athletics at Nassau County parks, despite there being no corresponding legislative enactment providing the County Executive with the authority to issue such an order,” the ruling states. “In doing so, this Court finds the County Executive acted beyond the scope of his authority as the Chief Executive Officer of Nassau County.”

Blakeman responded to the ruling in a statement, calling it “Lack of courage from a Judge who didn’t want to decide the case on its merits. Unfortunately, girls and women are hurt by the Court.”

Blakeman’s anti-trans positions have made headlines across the country, with even folks like Caitlyn Jenner chiming in to defend his actions. Jenner has previously taken a stand against the inclusion of transgender athletes in sports, despite being both trans and an athlete herself.

This is not Blakeman’s first loss when it comes to this order, either. Earlier this year, a judge also dismissed Blakeman’s lawsuit against AG James for her actions in opposing his anti-trans policy.

Curly Fry, the president of the Long Island Roller Rebels, said in the NYCLU press release, “Today’s decision is a victory for those who believe that transgender people have the right to participate in sports just like everyone else. It sends a strong message that transphobic discrimination cannot stand.”

“As a league welcoming trans women and committed to providing a safe space for everyone to be their full selves, County Executive Blakeman’s order tried to punish us just because we believe in inclusion and stand against transphobia. Trans people belong everywhere, including in sports, and they will not be erased.”

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