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‘Time is always of the essence’: Nassau County trans athlete ban faces court challenge
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Sep 24, 2025
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Howard Schnapp/Newsday RM via Getty Images
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Sep 24, 2025
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A legal battle continues this week over the fate of a controversial Nassau County law that bans trans women and girls from playing sports at county-run facilities and could have ripple effects across the state.
County Executive Bruce Blakeman signed the measure into law in July, triggering lawsuits from the New York Civil Liberties Union and state Attorney General Letitia James.
One suit, filed by the NYCLU on behalf of the Long Island Roller Rebels, a women’s roller derby team, is now at the appellate stage. The NYCLU is set to deliver oral arguments on Thursday at an appellate court in Brooklyn Heights as it seeks to block Nassau County from enforcing the law while litigation continues.
A Nassau Supreme Court judge allowed the law to remain in place while the case moved forward earlier this year, and the NYCLU appealed that decision.
The county law requires teams seeking permits to use public facilities that correspond with biological sex assigned at birth of each player. It specifically bars trans women and girls from competing in female-designated divisions — a provision critics say violates state civil rights law.
Gabriella Larios, a NYCLU staff attorney, said the law has left the Roller Rebels practicing late at night in isolated locations — making it hard to compete or recruit new players.
“This case is important because it would help establish and clarify that across New York state, trans people have protections, and that cities and counties can't go directly against that,” Larios said.
Larios continued, “In the meantime, they're practicing and using private facilities that don't meet their needs —that's why they're trying to access these county facilities. But time is always of the essence.”
Blakeman’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
A separate lawsuit from James, filed the same day as the NYCLU’s, is also moving through the courts. James’ office filed a motion for summary judgment and is now in the process of arguing its case.
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long island
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Giulia Heyward
Giulia Heyward is a breaking news reporter on the Day-Of desk. She previously worked at NPR, as a breaking news reporter, and the New York Times, as a reporting fellow on the national desk. Her work has also appeared in CNN, The Atlantic and Politico. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or more securely on signal at 917-715-1458.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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