Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman says the judge showed a "lack of courage" in the decision
Syndication: USA TODAY
(New York, NY) – A Supreme Court judge in Nassau County ruled against an executive order from Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman barring transgender females from participating in women’s sports. The order specifically focused on the issuing of permits to use county facilities for sporting events. The case was brought forth through a lawsuit filed by a women’s roller derby league, Long Island’s Roller Rebels.
Justice Francis Ricigliano found that Blakeman did not have the legal authority to make that decision for the county. This essentially makes the executive order moot and unable to be enforced. In the ruling, it mentions that the Nassau County charter specifically grants the power of creating and enforcing legislation to the Nassau County Legislature. The role of the Executive is to “supervise, direct and control”.
This all began back on February 22, 2024 when Blakeman signed the bill titled “An Executive Order for Fairness for Women and Girls in Sports”. Blakeman says that the move was to protect women and give them the ability to display their athletic skills in a fair competition. Less than a month later, The New York Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit against the order on behalf of the Roller Rebels.
The Rebels claim that they applied for a permit for an upcoming series of games, which was ultimately denied by the Nassau Parks Department due to the executive order. The Rebels label themselves as an inclusive group open to all transgender women to participate.
In a statement that came after the ruling, Blakeman claims that the “far-left doctrine being used to undermine women’s sports.” He also says that the county plans on appealing the decision.
