Nassau's ban on transgender athletes in county facilities struck down by appeals court

A New York appeals court on Wednesday struck down Nassau County’s ban on transgender athletes in girls’ and women’s sports.

The unanimous ruling from a four-judge panel of the Appellate Division's Second Judicial Department held that the 2024 ban, a priority of County Executive Bruce Blakeman, was invalid because it conflicted with New York State human rights and civil rights laws that "expressly prohibit the County from restricting access to places of public accommodation based on a person’s gender identity or expression, including whether the person identifies as transgender."

Long Island Roller Rebels, a North Massapequa roller derby organization that includes transgender athletes, is the plaintiff in the case. Team president Amanda Urena, who also uses the derby name Curly Fry, said in a statement: "Amid relentless attacks on transgender people, today the court delivered a resounding win for trans people in New York.

"The Roller Rebels want trans women to know that they are welcome to join our league, and trans people belong in Nassau County," her statement said. "We are proud to come together in solidarity to push back against any idea that trans women should be excluded or shut out of public life. We deserve the joy of playing as our authentic selves, free from discrimination. Trans athletes aren’t going anywhere."

A spokesperson for Blakeman, a Republican who ran unsuccessfully for governor this year, responded to an interview request with a statement from Nassau County Attorney Thomas Adams: "We are reviewing the decision with the intention to continue the appeals process."

Blakeman initially issued an executive order banning sports organizations that allow transgender girls to compete on girls' teams from Nassau County athletic facilities. Blakeman described the ban as "common sense" and later said in a statement that, in enforcing it, the county would "protect the integrity and safety of women's sports."

A judge struck down the order after finding that Blakeman lacked the authority to issue it. Blakeman then submitted legislation to county lawmakers, resulting in the 2024 passage of Local Law No. 3-2024, entitled "A Local Law to Maintain a Safe and Fair Competitive Environment for Women and Girls Participating in Sports and Athletic Events."

The Roller Rebels sued, arguing, among other things, that the law would force sports organizations to "make invasive inquiries about people’s gender identity" and "increase shame and stigma, and contribute to negative physical and emotional health outcomes" for trans athletes.

State Supreme Court Justice Bruce Cozzens upheld Nassau's ban, saying it did not discriminate because it still allowed transgender athletes to play in men's or coed games. But in 2025, after the team sought a preliminary injunction against the ban, the appeals court paused its enforcement, finding the team had demonstrated it would be "irreparably injured" without an injunction and that "the balance of the equities weighed in its favor."

Also on Wednesday, New York Attorney General Letitia James, whose office successfully sued Blakeman over the 2024 ban, said in a statement: “No one asked for this illegal and exclusionary policy. Bruce Blakeman was just trying to stop athletes from playing with their teammates. I am pleased the court saw right through it."

By Nicholas Spangler

nicholas.spangler@newsday.comspanglernewsday

Nicholas Spangler is a general assignment reporter and has worked at Newsday since 2010.