A New York judge struck down an order from Nassau County that aimed to bar transgender athletes from competing on women’s and girls sports teams that use county-owned parks and fields.
Judge Francis Ricigliano ruled that County Executive Bruce Blakeman lacked the authority to issue such an order. The decision came in a lawsuit filed by an all-gender roller derby team after Blakeman’s February executive order denied park permits to teams that allowed transgender women to play on female squads.
Background on Nassau County Order
In February 2023, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican, issued an executive order denying park permits to any women’s and girls’ sports teams that allowed transgender women to participate.
Blakeman said the order was intended to ensure female athletes could compete fairly against other females. But Judge Ricigliano found Blakeman overstepped his powers in issuing the order.
Judge: Order Exceeded Executive’s Authority
In his ruling, Ricigliano wrote that Blakeman’s order specifically targeted transgender women playing on female teams, despite no law granting him that specific authority.
“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 judge wrote.
Ricigliano’s decision did not analyze the civil rights issues raised by supporters and opponents of the policy. Instead, it focused narrowly on determining Blakeman had no legal standing to bar transgender athletes via executive order.
Lawsuit Backed by Civil Rights Groups
The legal challenge against Blakeman’s policy was filed by the Long Island Roller Rebels, an all-gender roller derby team. The New York Civil Liberties Union also backed the lawsuit.
After the judge’s ruling, the NYCLU said the decision overturned a “harmful policy that attempted to score cheap political points by peddling harmful stereotypes about transgender women and girls.”
State Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, also praised the decision as a “major victory” for transgender rights. She said state law prohibits discrimination based on gender identity.
County Executive Dismisses Ruling on Technical Grounds
Blakeman dismissed the judge’s ruling as sidestepping the core issues surrounding transgender athletes’ perceived advantages in women’s sports.
“Unfortunately girls and women are hurt by the court,” Blakeman said. He argued the decision failed to address the merits of whether transgender women may have unfair physical advantages over other female athletes.
Background on National Transgender Athlete Debate
The question of whether transgender women and girls should be allowed to compete on female sports teams has become a prominent front in the culture wars.
Critics argue transgender women have innate physical advantages stemming from going through some or all of male puberty. Thus, they say transgender female athletes could displace non-transgender women from winning spots and scholarship opportunities.
Supporters counter that hormone therapy and sometimes puberty blockers can help mitigate those advantages. They argue transgender girls and women also have rights that should allow their participation, and that their numbers are too small to significantly displace non-transgender female athletes.
So far 19 states have passed laws banning transgender women and girls from playing on female school sports teams. The debate has played out in statehouses, courtrooms and on the floors of legislatures across the country.
Key Details on Judge’s Ruling
– Judge Francis Ricigliano of Nassau County court overturned County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s executive order denying park permits to sports teams with transgender players
– Ricigliano ruled Blakeman lacked authority to specifically target transgender athletes’ participation through executive order
– Decision backed by NYCLU and Roller Rebels, plaintiff in lawsuit challenging the county policy
– State Attorney General Letitia James hailed ruling as victory for transgender rights
– Blakeman dismissed ruling for sidestepping debate on transgender athletes’ perceived advantages
The judge’s ruling adds to the complex landscape around policies governing transgender athletes. While Ricigliano overturned Nassau County’s executive order, the decision was based on procedural grounds rather than the merits of whether transgender athletes possess inherent advantages. Thus, the debate seems poised to continue playing out between lawmakers, civil rights groups and sports governing bodies across the country.
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