New York Attorney General Leticia James (D) and the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) are once again taking legal action against a county outside of New York City over a newly enacted law which prevents transgender women from competing on women’s sports teams.
The Republican-controlled Nassau County Legislature voted 12-5 last month to ban transgender athletes from competing according to their gender identity at county-owned facilities, effectively reinstating an executive order overturned by the state Supreme Court. in May.
The executive order — issued in February by Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who signed the county’s new ban into law on Monday — prevented county-owned and operated facilities from hosting athletic events that allow trans women to compete on women’s sports teams. . It applied to more than 100 public places, including parks, baseball fields, basketball courts, swimming pools and ice rinks.
James in March threatened Nassau County with “decisive legal action” if it did not revoke the order. The NYCLU, in a lawsuit filed on behalf of the Long Island Roller Rebels, a women’s roller derby league, argued that the order conflicts with state anti-discrimination laws.
Nassau County Supreme Court Judge Francis Ricigliano vacated the order in May, ruling that Blakeman did not have the authority to issue an executive order limiting the participation of transgender athletes in sports.
Independent lawsuits filed Monday by James and the NYCLU allege that the county’s new law, like the previous executive order, violates New York law and imposes undue scrutiny on women’s sports teams.
“With this bill, Nassau County is once again trying to exclude transgender girls and women from participating in sporting events while claiming to support justice,” James said Monday. in a statement.
Blakeman said Monday he is disappointed in James’ lawsuit. “I am very disappointed that the Attorney General would attempt to thwart Nassau County’s desire to protect the integrity of women’s sports, ensure the safety of its participants, and provide a safe environment for girls and women to compete,” he said. wrote on social platform.
Curly Fry, president of the Long Island Roller Rebels, said county lawmakers pushing for the new restrictions on transgender athletes are “sending the message that transgender people do not belong in Nassau County.”
“Trans people belong everywhere, including sports,” they said in a statement. “Just as we defeated the transphobic executive order, we will fight this new law and ensure that every member of the community can join a sports team and feel welcome.”
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
