Nassau County, Long Island, has banned transgender athletes from participating in girls' or women's sports at all county-run facilities, according to an executive order issued Thursday. The order, effective immediately, was announced by Republican Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and represents one of the nation's latest restrictions on transgender athletes' participation in sports based on their gender identity. As of August last year, 23 states had passed laws restricting transgender athletes from participating in school sports based on their gender identity, according to ESPN.
In signing the executive order, Blakeman enacted what is believed to be the nation's first ban. Sports teams using Nassau County facilities will be authorized to follow the new policy based on licenses and operating permits held by the county and teams, according to a CNN report citing Blakeman's remarks at the press conference. It is said that it is necessary. The order effectively restricts all women's sports teams and leagues at Nassau County's 100 ballparks and athletic facilities unless transgender athletes are banned. However, this order does not affect co-ed teams or teams where women play against men.
“What we are saying here today by executive order is that if a league or team calls itself or advertises itself as a women's or women's league or team, biological males must That means they shouldn't be playing in this league,” Blakeman said on the news. Thursday conference.
The backlash from LGBTQ advocates was swift and clear. “We are extremely disappointed that Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman has announced an executive order banning transgender athletes from participating in sports teams that align with their gender identity,” New York LGBT Network said. said Dr. David Kilmnick, Chairman and Founder. “This discriminatory move not only undermines the principles of inclusion and equity, but also perpetuates harmful stereotypes and exclusion,” it said in a statement to ABC News affiliates.
New York Attorney General Letitia James said she is considering legal options to block Blakeman's order. “This executive order is transphobic and extremely dangerous. New York has laws that protect our beautiful and diverse community from hate and discrimination of all kinds,” James said in a statement. “My office is responsible for enforcing and upholding these laws, and we will confront those who violate those laws and violate the rights of marginalized communities. We are currently considering.”
