NYAG Demands That Nassau County Exec Bruce Blakeman Rescind Trans Sports Ban

NYAG Demands That Nassau County Exec Bruce Blakeman Rescind Trans Sports Ban 

Edited by: TJVNews,com

In a recent development sparking heated debate and legal contention, New York Attorney General Letitia James has firmly demanded Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman rescind a controversial ban on transgender athletes from participating in women’s and girls’ sports, as was reported on Sunday on CNN. Citing the ban as discriminatory and transphobic, James issued a press release on Friday asserting the imperative need to uphold inclusivity and combat bigotry within the state.

“The law is perfectly clear: you cannot discriminate against a person because of their gender identity or expression. We have no room for hate or bigotry in New York,” stated James unequivocally. “This executive order is transphobic and blatantly illegal. Nassau County must immediately rescind the order, or we will not hesitate to take decisive legal action.”

Under New York law, it is illegal to discriminate against an individual based on their sex or gender identity or expression. In addition to violating basic civil and human rights, the executive order will impose undue increased scrutiny on women’s and girls’ teams and leagues and will also subject all athletes on women’s and girls’ sports teams to intrusive and invasive questioning and other verification requirements.

The executive order, signed by Blakeman on February 22, swiftly drew condemnation for its prohibition of transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports leagues and teams at county facilities. According to the information provided in the CNN report, the order, applicable to over 100 venues under the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Museums, triggered concerns regarding its compliance with state civil and human rights laws. Moreover, James highlighted the potential for the order to subject female athletes to invasive questioning, further exacerbating the discriminatory nature of the directive.

According to the press release issued by James’ office that was sent out on Friday, it said, “The executive order discriminates against transgender women and girls simply for being who they are, and against teams that include transgender women and girls on their rosters, in clear violation of New York’s Civil and Human Rights Laws. In a cease-and-desist order sent today, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) demanded that Nassau County rescind the order in five days or else face additional legal action.”

Blakeman defended the order, asserting that it aimed to preserve the integrity of women’s sports. “What we are saying here today with our executive order is that if a league or team identifies themselves or advertises themselves to be a girls or women’s league or team, then biological males should not be competing in those leagues,” explained Blakeman, as was indicated in the CNN report. He suggested that transgender athletes could opt to participate in all-boys or coed leagues within the county.

The controversy surrounding the executive order reflects a broader national debate over the inclusion of transgender athletes in organized sports. Advocates argue for inclusivity and equal opportunities, while opponents raise concerns about fairness and competitive balance, the report on the CNN website said. The issue has gained prominence in both mainstream and right-wing media, permeating discussions at various levels of athletic governance.

Ash Orr, representing the National Center for Transgender Equality, condemned the executive order and similar legislation nationwide, emphasizing the detrimental impact on transgender athletes’ lives in Nassau County, as per the CNN report. Orr warned of increased isolation, stigmatization, and perpetuation of harmful cultural narratives surrounding the transgender community.

Despite the fervent debates, empirical data comparing the performance of transgender athletes with their cisgender counterparts remains scarce. A 2017 literature review published in Sports Medicine found “no direct or consistent research” indicating trans individuals possess an athletic advantage over cisgender peers, CNN reported. Instead, the primary impediment to trans participation in sports lies in the absence of inclusive and welcoming environments, as highlighted by the review’s authors.

The outcome of this contentious issue in Nassau County could have far-reaching implications for transgender athletes’ rights and the broader landscape of athletic competition.