A bombshell ruling came down yesterday in the battle over transgender athlete rights in New York. Judge Nusrat Jahan Choudhury denied Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s request to block Attorney General Letitia James’ cease-and-desist order demanding he rescind his controversial executive order effectively banning transgender girls from women’s sports.
This latest twist continues the tense legal face-off between the Republican county executive and Democratic state attorney general over the charged issue of trans participation in athletics.
Federal Judge Denies Request to Block NY AG Order
The county executive’s attempt to bar transgender athletes from competing has been struck down. On Thursday, Federal Judge Nusrat Choudhury denied Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s request to block New York Attorney General Letitia James’ cease-and-desist order.
The order demanded Blakeman repeal his February executive order barring transgender women and girls from female athletic events.
Judge Rules Order Unlikely to Succeed
In her decision, Choudhury said Blakeman’s motion for a temporary restraining order “falls far short of meeting the high bar” to grant one.
She ruled that the county is unlikely to succeed in arguing James’ order violates the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause.
Order Targeted Transgender Women and Girls
Blakeman’s order defined an individual’s gender as their “biological sex at birth” and required local sports teams to designate participation based on the sex assigned at birth.
It targeted transgender women and girls, imposing extra scrutiny on female sports teams. Blakeman claimed the order wouldn’t bar transgender athletes from coed or male leagues.
AG Threatened Legal Action
James threatened to take “decisive legal action” if Blakeman didn’t rescind the order within five days. She said it violated the New York Human Rights Law, which banned discrimination based on gender identity or expression in public places.
James’ office declined to comment on the ruling. Blakeman didn’t return a request for comment.
Nassau County Executive Order Banned Transgender Athletes
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman issued an executive order in February that effectively banned transgender women and girls from competing in female athletic events.
The order defined an individual’s gender as “biological sex at birth” and required local athletic teams, leagues, and organizations to designate participation based on members’ sex assigned at birth.
Transgender Athletes Cam Compete In All-Boys or Coed Leagues
Blakeman claimed the order would not prevent transgender athletes from competing in all-boys or coed leagues.
However, the restrictions applied to over 100 public venues in Nassau County, including parks, baseball fields, basketball courts, swimming pools, and ice rinks. New York Attorney General Letitia James threatened legal action against the county if Blakeman’s order was not rescinded.
NY AG Threatened Legal Action Over Discriminatory Order
The New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a cease-and-desist order demanding that Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman repeal his executive order banning transgender women and girls from competing in female athletic events.
According to James, Blakeman’s order violated the New York State Human Rights Law by discriminating based on gender identity and expression.
Protecting the Rights of All New Yorkers
James argued that Blakeman’s order went against the state’s laws protecting citizens from discrimination. She claimed that by specifically targeting transgender women and girls, the order subjected female sports teams to increased scrutiny.
James threatened to take legal action against Nassau County if the order was not rescinded within five days. “The law is clear: you cannot discriminate against a person because of their gender identity or expression,” James said. “We have no room for hate or bigotry in New York.”
County Executive Sues to Uphold Order
Blakeman responded to James’ cease-and-desist order by filing a lawsuit against her and New York state. The lawsuit asked the court to allow Blakeman’s executive order to stand and declare it lawful.
Blakeman claimed that enforcing the state’s human rights laws against his order violated the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause. However, District Judge Nusrat Jahan Choudhury denied Blakeman’s request for a temporary restraining order, ruling that his arguments were unlikely to succeed.
Order Denounced by Top NY Democrats
Blakeman’s executive order banning transgender athletes from competing according to their gender identity has been widely criticized.
Top New York Democrats, who control the state legislature and governor’s office, have denounced the order.
Morally Reprehensible and Unfair
Governor Kathy Hochul called the order “morally reprehensible” and “not who we are as New Yorkers.” Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said Blakeman’s action “promotes discrimination and violates basic human rights.”
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie added that the order “goes against the values of inclusion and equality.”
The Order Violate Human Rights Laws
Civil rights groups argue that Blakeman’s order violates the New York Human Rights Law by discriminating against transgender women and girls.
“Transgender girls are girls and deserve the same rights and opportunities as all girls,” said Melanie Trimble, director of the NYCLU’s Capital Region Chapter.
No Evidence Trandatheles Have an Advantage Over Women
While Blakeman claims the order protects women’s and girls’ sports, advocates counter that there is no evidence transgender women have an athletic advantage or threaten women’s sports.
“Transgender girls deserve the same rights and opportunities as all girls,” said Melanie Trimble, director of the NYCLU’s Capital Region Chapter. “Excluding them from competing as who they are is discrimination, pure and simple.”
A Continous and Contentious Debate
The widespread criticism highlights the contentious debate surrounding transgender rights and sports inclusion. Blakeman’s order has put Nassau County at the center of the controversy, even as similar bans in other states like Idaho, West Virginia, and Florida face legal challenges.
Although Blakeman intends to appeal the court’s ruling, advocacy groups remain determined to fight discrimination against the transgender community.
