New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, filed a lawsuit Monday against Nassau County over its transgender sports ban, according to the New York Post.
James filed a lawsuit in Nassau County, New York, challenging a new law that bars transgender athletes from competing in women's sports at county-owned facilities. according to The lawsuit was filed shortly after Nassau County Mayor Bruce Blakeman, a Republican, signed the bill that was approved by the county's Republican-led Legislature, according to the New York Post.
New York Attorney General Letitia James sues Nassau County to block transgender sports ban https://t.co/xO33cedX89 pic.twitter.com/ySmDSZyRoc
— New York Post Metro (@nypmetro) July 15, 2024
The lawsuit marks the second legal battle over transgender rights in sports in Nassau County, following an earlier court decision that invalidated a similar executive order by Governor Blakeman, the outlet reported. The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), which successfully challenged the previous order on behalf of the Long Island Roller Rebels, has filed a separate lawsuit challenging the new law in Nassau County Supreme Court. (RELATED: New York Supreme Court justice strikes down county ban on transgender athletes in women's sports)
At a press conference, Blakeman defended the legislation, citing concerns about fairness and safety in women's sports: “We're protecting the integrity, fairness and safety of women's sports. This is a common sense issue,” she said, according to the New York Post.
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 16: Attorney General Letitia James speaks during a press conference following the verdict against former U.S. President Donald Trump in his civil fraud trial on February 16, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
But James countered that the ban violates state law, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression. “With this law, Nassau County is once again seeking to exclude transgender girls and women from participating in sporting events while claiming to support fairness,” James said in a statement accompanying the lawsuit, according to the New York Post.
NYCLU Staff Attorney Gabriella Lario denounced the law as hateful and reiterated the organization's commitment to fighting against unlawful and discriminatory bans.
“Any attempt to exclude transgender women and girls from sports is clearly prohibited by state anti-discrimination laws. That was true when we were able to reject Mayor Blakeman's transphobic policies and that's true now. This latest hateful bill is unacceptable and we will not allow it to stand in New York,” Lario told the New York Post.
