NEW YORK — A local roller derby league in New York has faced a setback in its efforts to temporarily halt a county-wide prohibition on transgender female athletes. On Tuesday, Nassau County Supreme Court Judge Bruce Cozzens rejected a motion from the Long Island Roller Rebels, which sought to prevent the enforcement of the ban as their ongoing lawsuit progresses through the court system.
This ban, enacted in July by local lawmakers in the suburban area east of New York City, prohibits transgender women and girls from participating on female sports teams within the county’s approximately 100 parks and recreational facilities. Judge Cozzens ruled that the law does not discriminate against transgender women and girls based on gender identity because they still have the option to compete in coed sports leagues. The judge noted that allowing transgender women to compete in women’s sports could lead to an increased risk of injury and potential legal liabilities for the county.
In his ruling, Cozzens emphasized the inherent physical advantages that biological males may possess, stating, “There can be no question (even without discovery) that a biological male regardless of transitioning would be possessed of greater athleticism and speed, strength, muscle mass, stronger hearts and greater bone density.” He explained that the aim of this local legislation is to ensure a safe environment for individuals who are biologically female to compete.
The Long Island Roller Rebels, along with the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), expressed their disappointment in the ruling and signaled their intention to appeal it while continuing their legal battle. Gabriella Larios, a staff attorney with NYCLU, referred to the judge’s decision as an “outlier” that deviates from other rulings and contradicts state legislation aimed at protecting human rights and civil liberties.
Amanda “Curly Fry” Urena, the president of the Roller Rebels, voiced her concerns regarding the ruling, stating, “At a time of rising anti-LGBTQ+ hate and violence across the country, keeping this ban intact is not only cruel, but it is also dangerous.” Urena hopes that New York’s judicial system will ultimately overturn this ban, describing it as both transphobic and unjust.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman praised the ruling, describing it as “common sense.” Originally, the ban was put into place via an executive order last February, but a court subsequently overturned it after challenges from the roller derby league and NYCLU. In response, the Republican-controlled Legislature enacted a local law to formalize the ban, which has triggered this fresh wave of legal scrutiny, including a challenge from Democratic New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Blakeman reiterated his position on transgender athletes, asserting, “They have a competitive advantage… It’s unfair, and it’s also unsafe.” This ruling arrives in a broader national context marked by shifting attitudes toward transgender rights, particularly following actions taken by previous government administrations that have rolled back protections for transgender individuals.
