Judge Blocks New York County from Enforcing Trans Athlete Ban After Roller Derby Lawsuit

Nassau County’s effort to block transgender women from competing on women’s teams at county-owned sports facilities has been temporarily stopped by a state appeals court.

The ruling, issued Wednesday, halts the enforcement of the local law while a lawsuit filed by the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) on behalf of the Long Island Roller Rebels - a women’s roller derby league - continues to move through the courts. The ban would have applied to more than 100 athletic facilities throughout the county, which sits just east of New York City.

Earlier this week, a lower court judge had sided with the county. Judge R. Bruce Cozzens upheld the law on Monday, claiming the measure was “narrowly tailored” and “does not categorically exclude transgender individuals from athletic participation” because they could still participate in coed sports leagues.

But the appellate division disagreed, stating that forcing the Roller Rebels to convert to a coed format would “change the identity of the league,” undermining its recognition by roller derby’s governing body and threatening its ability to recruit members and schedule matches.

Amanda “Curly Fry” Urena, President of the Long Island Roller Rebels, celebrated the decision. She said players were “thrilled” the court recognized Nassau County’s policy as a “transphobic and cruel ban.”

Gabriella Larios, an attorney for the NYCLU, echoed that sentiment, saying the ruling “made it crystal clear that any attempt to ban trans women and girls from sports is prohibited by our state's anti-discrimination laws.”

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican, has championed the restriction, arguing it is needed to protect women and girls from potential injuries during competition. In a statement, he maintained that the county will “continue to protect the integrity and safety of women's sports.”

His office did not immediately respond to questions about whether the county will comply with the appeals court order.

The controversy began when Blakeman signed an executive order implementing the ban. That order was quickly overturned after a legal challenge from the NYCLU and the Roller Rebels. County legislators, controlled by Republicans, then passed a law enshrining the ban, prompting another round of litigation and now intervention from the state appellate court.

For now, the ban remains unenforceable as the legal battle plays out.

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Judge Blocks New York County from Enforcing Trans Athlete Ban After Roller Derby Lawsuit