The Nassau County legislature has given its approval to a transgender athlete ban that has sparked controversy. The ban was supported by Caitlyn Jenner, a transgender former Olympian.
Bruce Blakeman’s executive order was previously invalidated by a judge in Nassau County.
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The party-line vote resulted in a 12-5 majority in favor, with two individuals not participating; one abstained, and the other was unable to vote due to illness.
Earlier this month, the legislature reintroduced a bill that has sparked controversy. The proposed legislation seeks to prohibit transgender athletes from participating in women’s and girls’ sports at county-owned athletic facilities. With over 100 public facilities including basketball courts, parks, and pools, transgender women would no longer be able to play on teams advertised as exclusively for women and girls.
At county facilities in Nassau County, transgender boys and men are not restricted from participating in boys’ and men’s teams according to the county’s order.
Judge struck down initial executive order
In May, a judge ruled that Blakeman lacked the authority to impose the ban without legislative approval, which resulted in the striking down of his initial legislation.
Blakeman shared that legislators approached him with a proposition to pass a local law that ensures fair competition and a safe environment for women. “Members of the legislature came forward to me and they said, look, we would like to pass this local law to make sure we have fair competition for women, and that we have a safe environment for women,” he stated.
According to Julie Grey-Owens from Gender Equality New York, there is no clearer way to express hatred towards a group than by implementing a law that aims to eradicate the rights they have fought for. She believes that such laws are discriminatory in nature.
Dolores Covirgu expressed her profound hurt as a mother of a gay, transgender youth due to the occurrence of such events in her area.
On behalf of the Roller Rebels, a roller derby team that is inclusive of trans women, the New York Civil Liberties Union has taken legal action by filing a lawsuit. Despite facing setbacks, the team remains committed to their fight and plans to appeal the decision.
According to Brittan Hardgers, a transgender athlete, her focus is not on the competition, but rather on the family structure and support system that many people, particularly trans women and girls, lack in the community. “I don’t worry about the competitiveness,” she said. “I think about the support system that so many people don’t have in our community.”
According to Democrats, the ban prioritizes private interest over the public good.
