Nassau County, New York prohibits transgender females from participating in sports teams that align with their self-identified gender at county-owned facilities.
Local legislation passed on Monday night with a 12-5 vote. This legislation, like many in the U.S., restricts transgender athletes from participating in sports. The party distribution of the votes was not immediately disclosed, but Republicans hold a majority of the seats.
Republican Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman expressed satisfaction with the Republican-majority legislature's vote, stating, "I am pleased that the Republican Majority in the legislature supported this commonsense measure to preserve the sports integrity for women and the safety of female athletes."
Nassau County, as per its website, is the wealthiest county in New York, situated on Long Island and voted for Biden by 54.2% in the 2020 election.
New York is one of 25 states without statewide laws preventing transgender students from competing on sports teams that match their identified genders, according to data from Movement Advancement Project, a nonprofit research organization. Other states have laws or regulations prohibiting such participation, the project's data shows.
Upon the bill's passage, a section of the crowd erupted and chanted, "shame, shame, shame."
This is not the first attempt to ban transgender women and girls from Nassau County sports facilities. On February 22, Blakeman issued an executive order claiming it aimed to establish "fairness for women and girls in sports," and would bar transgender girls and women from playing at county facilities that align with their identified genders. A New York Supreme Court judge dismissed it in May, ruling that Blakeman lacked the authority to issue such an order.
Doctors, psychologists, and community members oppose the legislation, deeming it harmful and illegal, citing elevated suicide rates among transgender teenagers compared to their cisgender counterparts.
A 16-year-old, who self-identifies as an LGBTQ+ ally, implored legislators to reconsider the bill, stating, "This hurts people. If people die, it's on you. People killing themselves, suicide; it's on you. Remember that."
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among individuals aged 10 to 14 and 20 to 34, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Trevor Project estimates that over 1.8 million LGBTQ+ youth in the U.S., aged between 13 to 24, seriously consider suicide every year. Moreover, one attempt is made every 45 seconds.
Those in favor of the local law maintain it is not hateful.
"We don't dislike anyone... I understand your objection to this bill, I do," Nassau County Legislator John Giuffrè, a Republican who supported the law, said during the meeting.
In March, the New York Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Long Island Roller Rebels, a women's flat track roller derby league from Nassau County, alleging the annulled executive order violated New York's human rights law and civil rights law. CNN has reached out for an update on this matter.
The group also reacted on X after Monday's approval of the measure, labeling it a "hateful and clearly illegal bill." If signed into law, they threatened legal action, stating, "We'll see Nassau in court – again."
Republican County Legislator Giuffrè believes the law will withstand legal challenges.
"I believe that the court challenges will be defeated and I believe that the constitution... will prevail," Giuffrè stated.
In March, New York Attorney General Letitia James demanded that Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman revoke his executive order, calling it a "discriminatory and transphobic executive order" in a March press release. CNN reached out to James’ office for comment following Monday's vote.
"What we're doing is safeguarding women," Republican Legislator John R. Ferretti Jr. declared. "Their safety and the integrity of their sporting events."
The law will take effect once Blakeman signs it, according to his office.
CNN's Ashley R. Williams, Michelle Watson, Eric Levenson, and Maria Sole Campinoti contributed to this report.
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Given the context, two sentences that contain the word 'us' could be:
"Nassau County, as per its website, is the wealthiest county in New York, situated on Long Island and voted for Biden by 54.2% in the 2020 election."
"In March, the New York Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit on behalf of several groups and individuals, arguing that the legislation violates our constitutional and civil rights."
