MINEOLA, NY — Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman introduces a controversial bill that would ban transgender athletes from competing in women’s and girls’ sports in provincially owned sports facilities.
This is not his first attempt at banning it.
Nassau County Executive doubles ban on transgender athletes
Blakeman first introduced the ban as an executive order in Februarybut it was rejected by the Nassau County Supreme Court after a judge ruled he did not have the authority to impose the ban without approval from the provincial legislature.
Also the New York Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Roller Rebelsa roller derby team on Long Island that welcomes trans women says it violates New York State’s human rights law, which prohibits discrimination based on gender identity.
“I believe it is unconstitutional to discriminate against women, they are a protected class,” Blakeman said.
In reintroducing the ban as a bill on Friday, Blakeman said: “If you’re a girls’ team or a women’s team and you identify yourself that way or you advertise yourself, then you can’t allow biological males to be in that league at the county level.” to play.” facilities.”
“Biological males competing with females is unfair because biological males are in most cases bigger, faster and stronger,” he added.
Supporters vow to fight the law banning transgender athletes
If the new bill is passed into law, the NYCLU says it plans to challenge it in court.
“The transgender community, the non-binary gender community and even some members of the intersex community are being hit very hard by this. It just sends a strong message that we are not welcome here,” said Juli Grey-Owens, executive director of Gender Equality New . York.
In the meantime, community members say they will meet to discuss next steps.
