Nassau County trans ban jammed in court by roller derby challenge

Since putting forth a ban on transgender women and girls from competing as athletes in girl’s and women’s sports in February, Nassau County (N.Y.) Executive Bruce Blakeman has talked tough about his executive order that would bar trans-inclusive teams or events from using county facilities.

He didn’t count on a Long Island-based roller derby team ready to get tougher.

A legal challenge initiated by the Long Island Roller Rebels and backed by the ACLU won in New York Supreme Court Friday.

“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,” Judge Francis Ricigliano stated in his ruling.

“In doing so, this Court finds the County Executive acted beyond the scope of his authority as the Chief Executive Officer of Nassau County.”

The measure, believed to be the first within the United States, would have affected over 100 facilities including parks, courts and ballfields across the county if enacted. It was also the second loss for Blakeman executive order since he first drafted it. A federal court defused an effort to block New York Attorney General Letitia James from taking legal action against Nassau County on the matter in April.

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For the team, well into the slate of bouts for the year, this extra battle was deemed as community self-defense.

“Today’s decision is a victory for those who believe that transgender people have the right to participate in sports just like everyone else,” Long Island Roller Rebels president Amanda Urena said in a written statement. “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.”

Blakeman did not address if the decision would be appealed but criticised the ruling in a terse written statement. “Lack of courage from a judge who didn’t want to decide the case on its merits,” he stated. “Unfortunately, girls and women are hurt by the Court.”

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