Nassau County, N.Y., has introduced a ban on transgender women and girls competing in girls' and women's sports via an executive order that took effect Thursday.
According to OutSports, the measure would prohibit any school, college or university team from using county-run venues if they allow transgender participation in sports.
Republican Nassau County executive Bruce Blakeman signed the order during a press conference Thursday. He was joined by supporters, including Oberlin College lacrosse coach Kim Russell, who is an ambassador for the anti-trans Independent Women’s Forum. Russell was dismissed from her coaching position after making anti-trans statement on social media in 2022.
“This not precluding anybody from participating in sports,” Blakeman said. “What it is, it’s identifying that there are women and girls who spend a tremendous amount of time and effort to excel and compete in their sports that are women’s sports. It is an unfair advantage for someone who is a biological male to compete against a biological female.”
Protesters gathered for the signing at the government's man offices as well. Dr. David Kilmnick, president and founder of the New York LGBT Network, expressed his dismay at the executive order.
“I am profoundly disappointed in the county executive for announcing this illegal, discriminatory executive order that only harms one group of people and that’s our transgender youth” Kilmnick said to WABC Thursday. “There is no reason for this ban other than to be a political stunt.”
Anthony Nicodemo, a New York City-area high school coach, athletic director, and a board member of the Sports Equality Foundation, criticized the new policy and the politics that forged it.
“This is an attempt to gain political points from the far right on a non-issue,” Nicodemo told Outsports. “The County Exec paraded children up there to hold signs they don’t understand. New York State has some of the greatest protections for the trans community, and I’m confident Governor (Katie) Hochul will challenge this human rights violation.
“I wouldn’t be surprised to see other executives jump on board for some publicity, but this kind of discrimination won’t be allowed in New York State.”
