Blakeman Signs 'Landmark Legislation' Trans Athlete Ban Into Law

MINEOLA, NY — After five months of legal wrangling, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman has signed a trans athlete ban into law.

Prior to putting his signature on the bill, Blakeman said he was there to "celebrate what I believe is landmark legislation that will protect the integrity of women's sports, the fairness of women's sports and the safety of women's sports."

Blakeman initially put forth an executive order in February banning trans athletes from competing at county facilities. However, Attorney General Letitia James would take Blakeman to court for taking the controversial action.

Nassau County Democratic Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton also in opposition, said in a statement: "Bruce Blakeman's decision to sign legislation widely criticized as discriminatory, especially in the immediate aftermath of an attempted assassination of a former president, is deeply troubling. If Republicans are genuinely serious about lowering the political temperature, they should stop bullying and pushing legislation that scapegoats groups of people for their political gain. Instead, they should focus on actual governance and helping the people they were elected to serve."

A judge in May ruled in James' favor, saying, Blakeman "acted beyond the scope of his authority as the Chief Executive Officer of Nassau County."

Blakeman went to the County Legislature last month that sought to "codify the County Executive’s recent executive order into county law," a spokesperson for Blakeman said at the time.

It passed by the Republican majority, 12-5.

"We've heard from a lot of people who have a different point of view," Blakeman said on Monday. "And that's fair. We can agree to disagree. For us, it's a matter of common sense."