A decision by a judge on the New York State Supreme Court permits men to once again join Nassau County’s female-only sports teams.
As Blaze News previously reported, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman signed an executive order in February prohibiting transgender guys from joining female-only sports teams that compete at county sporting facilities.
“A judge’s lack of bravery in not deciding the issue on its merits.”
Many LGBTQ-related groups, however, protested the executive order almost once, and New York Attorney General Letitia James pledged to challenge it in court. A few days later, James referred to Blakeman’s executive order as “illegal,” “discriminatory,” and “transphobic” in a stop and desist letter.
It appears that James and other LGBTQ+ community advocates have prevailed in the initial court battle in this matter. On Friday, Justice Francis Ricigliano of the New York Supreme Court ruled that Blakeman lacked the authority to enact the policy regarding women’s and girls’ sports and thus overruled it in response to a lawsuit filed by the New York Civil Liberties Union on behalf of the Long Island Roller Rebels, a women’s roller derby league based in Nassau County.
In the 13-page ruling, Ricigliano stated, “This Court finds the County Executive went beyond the limits of his power as the Chief Executive Officer of Nassau County.”
According to the judge, before the county executive may sign a measure into law, the county legislature must first pass it. Ricigliano, therefore, seems to have focused solely on the processes supporting the case rather than its merits.
“A judge’s lack of bravery in refusing to rule on the case’s merits. “Sadly, the court harms women and girls,” Blakeman remarked about the judge and the decision. He reaffirmed his intention to file an appeal.
AG James, in the meantime, is praising the ruling, referring to it as “a tremendous success” in the fight against discrimination. She posted on X, saying, “My office will keep fighting to ensure every New Yorker is free to be who they are.”
Vice president of the Long Island Roller Rebels Amanda Urena, who goes by Curly Fry in competition, identifies as queer, and prefers the pronouns they/them, also saw the judge’s decision as “a triumph” for inclusiveness in the battle against “transphobia.” “Those who think transgender people should be able to play sports alongside everyone else have won with today’s ruling,” Urena stated.
“The directive from County Executive Blakeman attempted to penalize us for our support of inclusivity and opposition to transphobia. We will not eradicate transgender individuals because they belong everywhere, particularly in sports.”
