Transgender athletes in roller derby team impacted by New York county’s ban

Challenging Discrimination: Roller Derby Team vs. Ban⁤ on‍ Transgender Athletes

A Long-Island-based women’s roller derby team, the Long Island Roller Rebels, is facing a significant challenge due to a ban on transgender ​athletes in Nassau County, New York. This ban, instituted by Nassau County Executive ⁢Bruce Blakeman through ⁣an executive order, mandates that all sports teams disclose their sex assigned at birth if ‌they wish to compete in county facilities and parks.

“The law is clear: you can’t discriminate against a person because of⁣ their gender‍ identity or expression.”

Blakeman justifies the order as a preventive measure against what he ‌perceives as “the bullying of women and girls by transgender males.” The Roller Rebels, who abide by the Women’s ‌Flat Track Derby⁢ Association’s inclusive policies allowing participation from transgender women, intersex women, and gender expansive individuals, find themselves at ⁢odds ⁤with⁤ this restrictive regulation.

Legal Battle ‍and Alliance with NYCLU

In response to ​the ban, the Roller Rebels have partnered with the​ New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) to challenge Blakeman’s order in court. The situation⁣ escalated when New ‌York Attorney General Letitia James openly criticized the ban, demanding its immediate repeal. Blakeman, ‌in turn, took legal ⁤action against James for ‍her stance, contesting her interpretation of the New York ⁣Human Rights Law.

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Blakeman expressed disappointment regarding the NYCLU’s stance, feeling that their support ‍in defending women’s ‍rights was lacking. The legal showdown⁤ continues, with the roller derby team’s future competitions in Nassau County hanging in the balance.

Despite the growing trend of states‍ enacting bans on transgender athletes, this situation stands out as a contentious issue in New York. While a Senate bill⁢ on ‍the matter lingers in a nationwide limbo, the Roller Rebels prepare for their upcoming bouts, showcasing resilience in the face of adversity.

Stay tuned for updates as the Roller Rebels take on not just opponents on the derby track, but also legal challenges in the realm of gender equality and inclusivity.