New York county executive sues state AG over order to repeal transgender athlete ban

New York executive Bruce Blakeman filed a lawsuit to block state Attorney General Letitia James from stopping his order that would ban transgender women and girls from participating in events at county-run facilities.

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in the Eastern District of New York, is on behalf of Nassau County and local residents: a 16-year-old female volleyball player and her parents.

Last week, James demanded that Blakeman immediately repeal his executive order and said the transgender athlete ban is in “clear violation” of state law. James sent Blakeman a cease-and-desist letter and threatened that further legal action would be forthcoming if he did not rescind the order within five days.

In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs argue that “it is undeniable” that men have received more recognition and greater opportunities than women. While women’s sports have made “tremendous progress,” they argue allowing biological males to compete with biological females “erases all the hard-earned progress” and creates an “unsafe and dangerous environment.”

In a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Blakeman said he filed the lawsuit “On behalf of the hundreds of thousands of women and girls in Nassau County” to protect “women’s sports and ensure a safe environment for women.”

“Bullying of women and girls will not be tolerated!” his post said.

In a press conference at the end of February, Blakeman said transgender athletes, regardless of their gender identity, are allowed to compete in all-boys or coed leagues in Nassau County.

The executive order applies to more than 100 public venues, including parks, baseball fields, basketball courts, swimming pools and ice rinks.

The plaintiffs asked that the court enjoin enforcement of the Human Rights Law against Blakeman’s executive order and declare it lawful.

“County Executive Blakeman’s executive order is transphobic and discriminatory. Our laws protect New Yorkers from discrimination, and the Office of the Attorney General is committed to upholding those laws and protecting our communities,” a spokesperson for James’ office said in an emailed statement. “This is not up for debate: the executive order is illegal, and it will not stand in New York.” 

Updated 11:15 a.m.