Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman announced a groundbreaking executive order that bans female sports teams from using any of Nassau County’s athletic facilities unless they commit to excluding transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports. This directive, which is considered the first of its kind in the United States, applies immediately to all 100 ballfields and sports venues under county jurisdiction.
Blakeman, a Republican, articulated his decision as a measure to protect the integrity of women’s sports, asserting that biological males have inherent physical advantages over females in competitive settings. The executive order specifically targets competitive female sports, allowing co-ed sports and competitions where biological females wish to compete against males to continue unaffected.
The announcement arrives amidst a contentious national debate over the participation of transgender athletes in sports, highlighted by instances where transgender individuals have broken records in women’s categories. For instance, Meghan Cortez-Field, a trans swimmer who previously competed on a men’s team, set multiple women’s collegiate records earlier this month.
Blakeman’s decision was influenced by concerns raised by parents and female athletes within Nassau County, who argue that allowing transgender girls to compete against biological girls constitutes discrimination against the latter. The order has sparked reactions from various quarters, with supporters lauding it as a necessary step to ensure fair competition in girls’ sports, while critics, including transgender advocates and legal experts, denounce it as discriminatory and potentially illegal under New York State law.
The New York Civil Liberties Union and State Attorney General Letitia James have expressed their opposition to the executive order, with James highlighting New York’s commitment to protecting communities from discrimination. The order mandates that sports leagues must provide written confirmation that trans athletes are not participating in girls’ sports to access county facilities, defining gender based on biological sex at birth.
This move by Nassau County’s leadership underscores the ongoing societal and legal challenges surrounding transgender rights and participation in sports, reflecting broader discussions about fairness, inclusion, and discrimination in competitive athletics.