Long Island lawmakers to vote on whether to ban trans women athletes from competing in public facilities
Proposed Ban on Transgender Women in Women’s Sports Teams
Nassau County lawmakers are preparing to vote on a controversial measure that would prohibit transgender women athletes from participating in women’s teams at county-owned facilities. This decision follows County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s February executive order, which denies permits to women’s or girls’ sports events that include transgender participants, effectively barring their use of over 100 public facilities in the county.
“We started hearing from a lot of girls and a lot of women that they thought it was very unfair and very unsafe that biological males were competing in what is billed as all-girl teams or all-women teams,” Blakeman explained, defending his executive order.
Impact on Local Sports Teams
This policy has significantly impacted the Long Island Roller Rebels, a flat-track roller derby team that includes several transgender players. Amanda Urena, the president of the Long Island-based recreational group, emphasized, “Where it starts is understanding that trans women are women and that we should just continue to categorize them as women.”
In response to Blakeman’s executive order, the Roller Rebels, supported by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New York, filed a lawsuit against Nassau County in March. They argued that the policy violates New York State’s Human Rights and Civil Rights Laws. Last month, a judge ruled that Blakeman had acted “beyond the scope of his authority.”
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Legislative Considerations
Currently, the Nassau County Legislature, which comprises 12 Republicans and seven Democrats, is considering a similar measure. The legislature’s rules committee advanced the bill on Monday, and a full vote is scheduled for June 24.
Gabriella Larios, an attorney for the New York Civil Liberties Union, predicts that if the law passes, it will be struck down for violating state anti-discrimination laws. “In 2019, New York amended its Human Rights Law and its Civil Rights Law to explicitly prohibit discrimination against transgender people,” Larios noted.
Broader Context of Anti-LGBTQ Legislation
According to the ACLU, nearly 150 anti-LGBTQ bills are currently under consideration across the United States, with 21 specifically targeting transgender athletes. Since Blakeman’s executive order, four other states have moved closer to passing similar legislation.
Urena and the Roller Rebels see their fight as a stand for fundamental rights. “We fully believe we are standing in the right place in history, and that we are standing up for Nassau County. We’re standing up for people’s rights,” Urena asserted.
Ongoing Debate and Adaptations
When questioned about the concerns of transgender women regarding their rights, Blakeman responded, “What about the rights of women? Compete in a co-ed league, form a transgender league. We’re not anti-transgender. We are pro-women.”
Despite the opposition, the Roller Rebels have adapted by renting private spaces for their late-night practices. Demonstrating resilience and determination, their motto in this ongoing battle for justice remains: where there’s a will, there’s a way to keep rolling.
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