Nassau Transgender Athletes Ban 'Illegal, Will Be Struck Down': NYCLU

MINEOLA, NY — The condemnation was swift following Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman's executive order to ban transgender athletes from participating with girls in sports at venues across the county.

Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement after Thursday's announcement: "We are reviewing our legal options."

Bobby Hodgson, the New York Civil Liberties Union's director of LGBTQ rights litigation, concurred.

"It's illegal under New York state law," Hodgson said. "We have a state's human rights law and a state civil rights law that prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity. This executive order, on its face, discriminates against people on the basis of gender identity. It is not legal in the state of New York."

Patch attempted to get a response from Blakeman's office.

His order was expected to take effect immediately, Blakeman said.

In a tweet, Blakeman said, "Nassau County will protect women and girls right to compete in sporting events in female leagues WITHOUT biological males bullying their way onto those teams."

The transgender ban by Blakeman is "consistent with a lot of very cynical and really damaging efforts by politicians around the country to target trans people, and, in particular, trans young people, with policies that actively harm them," Hodgson said.

As part of the executive order, county permits will not be handed out to an event or competition that allows transgender women or girls to compete in a girls' or women's sporting event, ABC7 reported.

"There is a lot that people are still learning about this executive order," Hodgson said. "But, I think, in short order, it will be challenged and struck down."

Hodgson is worried that the ban could alienate the trans community even more than thery are now.

"It jeopardizes their mental health. It jeopardizes their physical well-being and denies them the ability to access the same opportunities that their peers are accessing," Hodgson said.