In the wake of a controversial ban barring trans girls from participating in sports in Nassau County, Long Island, LGBTQ+ nonprofits demand answers from 58-year-old Republican County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who imposed the sweeping order.
On Feb. 22, Blakeman issued an immediate mandate barring transgender girls, not boys, from participating in sports on county-run athletic fields. New York Attorney General Letitia James fired back at Blakeman, sending a cease-and-desist letter and calling the executive order “transphobic and blatantly illegal.”
“Biological males, by and large, have a tremendous advantage over biological females,” Blakeman said during the ban’s unveiling. A group of young women, ranging from toddler to teen, stood behind him holding pink signs reading: “Protect Women’s Sports.”
Long Island-based LGBTQ+ activists were “baffled” by the announcement. “When you think of an executive order, you think of an emergency or an urgent matter, but there were no issues. There were no issues,” said Tawni Engel, associate executive director at Pride for Youth, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group in Long Island.
But Nassau is a red-majority county. “Certainly, here on Long Island, we do have our share of very conservative-minded communities,” said Engel. “There are plenty of people backing what he is saying.”
Under the order, representatives from all sports teams must provide written confirmation that trans athletes are not on the roster before receiving the legal go-ahead to use one of the 100 county-run athletic fields or parks.
“Trans women and non-binary individuals are certainly not out there looking to infiltrate, you know, women’s sports. There’s no agenda,” said Engel, who suggested Blakeman is making a political stance. “It’s a fear-mongering tactic more than anything else.”
In response to James’ legal threats, Blakeman — who advocated for Daniel Penny, the 24-year-old marine charged with strangling Jordan Neely in the subway last year — filed a 12-page lawsuit against Attorney General James, arguing her letter violates the equal protection clause under the Fourteenth Amendment.
Blakeman filed the suit with Marc Mullen, a Nassau parent with a 16-year-old daughter, unnamed in the suit, who is allegedly fearful of playing alongside trans players. Their suit cites unverifiable examples of these fears playing out in Nassau:
“Just last month it was reported that a girls basketball team went so far as to forfeit a game because a transgender girl (i.e. biological male) injured three girls, and the coach felt compelled to terminate his team’s participation,” the complaint read.
Engel contends Pride For Youth has not received a single complaint of trans sports discrimination playing out in Nassau County. Since Blakeman’s announcement, the nonprofit has reached out to interscholastic leagues, club sports teams, and recreation centers to inquire about instances of discrimination.
“There’s no research to support what he’s saying,” said Engel. But she says trans players in Nassau may be opting to stay silent in the wake of the controversy. “Being in the public eye, you know, in opposition to something like this, can be a really scary thing out here on the island.”
After word spread on Long Island, Suffolk County, another Red-majority right next door, considered imposing a similar ban. “There was buzz about a similar order occurring in Suffolk County as of last week,” Engel said. “Basically mimicking what they’re doing in Nassau County.”
On Monday, The New York Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit against Blakeman over the “discriminatory” sports ban. “Trans people who play sports need support and affirmation, not to be a political target,” said NYCLU staff attorney Gabriella Larios.
Pride For Youth encourages people to call their elected officials in opposition to the ban. Engel says it is vital to spread awareness because of the harmful message a publicized ban like this sends. “It says you’re, you’re an outsider, you’re an other, you’re something that doesn’t belong,” Engel said. “It tells kids they’re second-class citizens.”
Nearly 500 Long Island Redditt users commented on the ordeal. Many questioned the reasoning behind Blakeman’s executive order and implored him to focus on “actual issues facing the county.”
“Our tax dollars at work, this will surely fix our high property taxes and lack of housing,” wrote TheKillerCook, receiving 154 upvotes.
Letitia James’ office has not responded to Blakeman’s suit. Blakeman could not be reached for comment.
Ashley Elizabeth Miller 
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