Judge blocks New York County from banning transgender athletes after roller derby league lawsuit

A new york A county law banning transgender women from playing on female sports teams at county-run parks and recreational facilities has been put on hold for now.

A state appeals court on Wednesday blocked Nassau County While the ban has been implemented, a legal challenge has come from a local women’s roller derby league.

The decision comes after a lower court judge on Monday upheld the local law, and the New York Civil Liberties Union, which filed the lawsuit on behalf of the roller derby league, vowed to challenge the decision.

Judge R. Bruce Cozens ruled that the county ban was “narrowly tailored” and “does not categorically exclude transgender individuals from athletic participation” because they can still play in co-ed sports leagues.

But the state Appellate Division said in its decision that making the women’s roller derby league co-ed would “change the identity of the league,” jeopardizing not only its standing with the sport’s governing body, but its ability to grow its membership and find teams to compete.

Amanda “Curly Fry” Urena, President of long Island Roller Rebels said players were “thrilled” to have Nassau County’s “transphobic and cruel ban” upheld by the high court.

NYCLU attorney Gabriella Larios said the ruling “makes it crystal clear that any effort to ban trans women and girls from sports is prohibited by our state’s anti-discrimination laws.”

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman had proposed the ban to protect girls and women from getting injured while competing against transgender women. This would affect more than 100 sports facilities in the county on Long Island next to New York City.

republicanIn an emailed statement, the county said it “will continue to protect the integrity and safety of the women’s game.” A spokesperson did not immediately respond to questions about whether it would comply with the judge’s order.

Blakeman first imposed the ban through an executive order, but it was rescinded after a lawsuit by the Roller Derby League and the NYCLU. The county’s Republican-controlled. Legislature Then a banning law was passed, leading to another round of litigation.