A New York appeals court has struck down Nassau County’s ban on transgender girls and women participating in female sports competitions at county-owned facilities, ruling that the restrictions violate state anti-discrimination laws.
In a unanimous decision issued Wednesday, November 4, the four-judge panel of the Appellate Division, Second Department, overturned a lower court ruling that had upheld the controversial policy championed by Republican Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman.
The judges determined that the county’s restrictions conflicted with New York’s Human Rights Law and Civil Rights Law, both of which prohibit discrimination based on gender identity or expression. The court directed the lower court to enter a judgment declaring the county law invalid.
The dispute began in February 2024 when Blakeman issued an executive order prohibiting women’s and girls’ sports organizations that included transgender athletes from using county athletic facilities.
After a judge struck down that order because Blakeman lacked the authority to impose it, county lawmakers passed legislation reinstating the restrictions in July 2024.
The policy prevented organizations from obtaining permits for women’s sporting events if their teams included transgender women or girls. The restrictions affected county-owned athletic fields, courts, swimming pools, and other recreational facilities.
New York Attorney General Letitia James challenged the legislation, arguing that local governments cannot override statewide civil rights protections.
“Nobody should have to fight to play the game they love,” James said in a statement celebrating Wednesday’s decision.
James also accused Blakeman of attempting to exclude transgender athletes from participating alongside their teammates, calling the policy illegal and discriminatory.
The legal battle also involved the Long Island Roller Rebels, a women’s roller derby organization that welcomes transgender athletes. Represented by the New York Civil Liberties Union, the team challenged the restrictions after the county’s policy threatened its ability to use public facilities.
The organization welcomed the ruling as a victory for transgender inclusion in community athletics.
County officials, however, have indicated that the legal fight may not be over. Nassau County Attorney Thomas Adams said officials were reviewing the decision and intended to continue the appeals process.
The ruling comes amid continuing nationwide disputes over transgender participation in women’s sports, with Republican-led states pursuing restrictions and civil rights organizations challenging those measures in court.
Importantly, Wednesday’s decision centered on New York’s existing anti-discrimination protections rather than establishing a nationwide standard for transgender athletic participation.
For transgender athletes in Nassau County, the decision represents a significant legal victory, reinforcing that local governments cannot impose restrictions on access to public recreational facilities that conflict with state civil rights laws.
