It’s a victory for women’s sports.
The Supreme Court of Nassau County, New York, recently upheld a local law that bans transgender women from competing in women’s sports, citing the need to ensure fair and safe competition. The law mandates that sports teams using county facilities must designate as either male, female, or co-ed, and explicitly prohibits male athletes who identify as female from competing in women’s teams. Justice Bruce Cozzens ruled that the law did not violate New York’s Human Rights Law, Civil Rights Law, or Municipal Home Rule Law, noting the importance of maintaining fairness in women’s athletics.
The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) challenged the law, arguing that it discriminates against transgender individuals, particularly affecting members of the Long Island Roller Rebels, a women’s roller derby team open to trans women. The NYCLU’s Staff Attorney, Gabriella Larios, expressed disappointment in the ruling and promised to appeal. She contended that the law was in conflict with state laws that protect trans individuals from discrimination and could be seen as perpetuating transphobia.
In his decision, Cozzens highlighted the biological advantages men have over women in physical sports, pointing to factors such as strength, muscle mass, and bone density. He argued that these differences create an unfair and potentially unsafe advantage for male athletes, particularly in contact sports like roller derby. He also expressed concerns about the increased risk of injury for female athletes competing against trans women, which could result in higher liability for the municipality.
In response, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman defended the law, calling it “common sense” and emphasizing that trans women have an inherent competitive advantage due to their biological sex. Meanwhile, opponents of the law continue to advocate for the inclusion of trans athletes in women’s sports, arguing that the policy promotes discrimination and is harmful to the LGBTQ+ community. The debate comes amid growing concerns about fairness and safety for female athletes competing against trans-identified male athletes in various sports.
This ruling is part of a broader national debate, with 27 states having enacted similar bans on trans women competing in women’s sports. These bans stem from concerns about fairness and safety in athletics, with notable cases like Payton McNabb, who suffered serious injuries after a collision with a trans male athlete in a high school volleyball match, fueling the controversy.
