Nassau County in Long Island has taken a controversial stand with the new bill Local Law 121-23, which bars transgender women from joining integrated sports teams, causing uproar and threatening a wave of legal disputes. The bill sailed through with a 12-6 majority in a Republican-dominated legislature and received the official stamp of approval on Monday.
Nassau County’s top official Bruce Blakeman championed the move, declaring: “I am gratified that the Republican Majority in the legislature voted in favor of this common-sense measure to protect the integrity of women’s sports and the safety of women participants.”
The bill argues that: “Women and girls deserve the opportunity to demonstrate their strength, skills, and athletic abilities and to provide them with equal and fair opportunities to obtain recognition and accolades, college scholarships, and the numerous other long-term benefits that result from participating and competing in athletic endeavors.”
It underlines the historic inequality faced by women in sports in comparison to biological men and posits that reserving womens competitions for cisgender women is imperative to honor their successes.
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The latest legislation has ignited a firestorm, with the stipulation that biological sex recorded on a person’s birth certificate is the determinant for sports eligibility. New York Attorney General Letitia James slammed the bill as transphobic and declared it flagrantly illegal, vowing to join forces with the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) to challenge Nassau County’s ruling.
In a fierce response, Letitia James attacked the executive order, condemning it on Twitter as transphobic and bluntly illegal; she alongside the NYCLU is preparing to take legal action against Nassau County. The NYCLU amplified these sentiments, issuing a statement about a fresh lawsuit filed against Executive Blakeman’s anti-transgender sports ban.
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Since its 2005 beginning aimed at fostering a diverse environment, the Roller Rebels have been an emblem of inclusion across gender, race, and sexual orientation. Curly Fry, the league’s President, voiced concern that the new rule transmitted a chilling message: that the trans community is neither safe nor seen in Nassau.
The Non-profit team, which competes locally at “Skate Safe America” located in Old Bethpage, NY, finds themselves cut off from county-operated facilities due to the latest edict.
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“Sports should be about challenging yourself and finding joy through movement. With this shameful law, our lawmakers are joining the effort to deprive people of these benefits while sending the message that trans people do not belong in Nassau County,” said the team President.
“Trans people belong everywhere including in sports. Much like we defeated the transphobic executive order, we will fight this new law and ensure all community members can join a sports team and feel welcome.”
The controversy has ignited fierce debates across social media, with users fervently voicing their stances. Amidst the intensifying legal showdown, one thing remains certain: the dispute over sports participation rights in Nassau County shows no signs of abating.
* Original Article:
https://www.the-express.com/sport/other-sport/143379/long-island-transgender-ban-sports/amp
