A Nassau County judge has upheld a local law that bars transgender women and girls from participating in women’s sports at county-run facilities, a decision the New York Civil Liberties Union says it will appeal.
In his ruling Monday, Nassau County Supreme Court Justice Bruce Cozzens said the law does not violate state human rights protections and aligns with federal rules that permit sex-based distinctions in sports.
The measure, signed by County Executive Bruce Blakeman in July 2024, requires teams seeking permits for county athletic facilities to classify players by biological sex assigned at birth.
Cozzens wrote that “biological males, regardless of transitioning,” generally have advantages in strength, speed and bone density, raising safety concerns in contact sports.
He said federal Title IX law allows such sex-based separation and preempts conflicting state laws. He also found that the county has discretion over how it allocates limited recreational space.
The Long Island Roller Rebels, a women’s roller derby league that includes transgender athletes, filed suit in July 2024, arguing the law violates New York’s Human Rights Law and Civil Rights Law, which prohibit discrimination based on gender identity.
"Today’s decision sends a chilling message that trans people don’t belong in Nassau County, but the fight doesn’t end here,” NYCLU staff attorney Gabriella Larios said. “The ruling flies in the face of longstanding state law, which makes clear that trans women and girls have the right to play sports alongside other women and girls.”
Curly Fry, the league’s president, called the decision harmful.
“Derby has been a haven for queer and trans people, and we will keep fighting to honor that legacy,” they said.
The NYCLU had previously appealed the judge’s January decision to let the law remain in effect during litigation. That case is pending before the Appellate Division, Second Department, which heard oral arguments in March.
Attorney General Letitia James filed a separate lawsuit the same day as the NYCLU, also challenging the law. That case is still moving through the courts.
Blakeman defended the ruling on Monday.
“In every community, people tell me this is the right policy to have,” he said. “They don’t want biological males playing on girls’ and women’s teams. They feel it’s unsafe, they feel it’s unfair.”
