Nassau County Legislature passes bill banning transgender athletes from female sports teams
NASSAU COUNTY (WABC) -- The Nassau County Legislature on Monday passed legislation to bar trans women and girls from participating in girls' and women's sports at county-run facilities.
Nassau County Legislature passed the ban by a 12-6 vote. Republicans control 12 of the 19 seats.
This was Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman's second attempt at passing this legislation.
(Editor's note: video in media player is from previous report)
The NYCLU, which successfully sued to block implementation the first time, held a rally against the legislation on the steps of the Nassau County Legislative Building.
"This is government sponsored hate," said Susan Gottehrer, of the Nassau County ACLU.
They're calling it discriminatory, subjecting transgender youth and adults to invasive screenings and bullying.
County lawmakers are divided.
"We're using this as a decisive issue for political benefit," said Scott Davis of Legislative District 1.
"My biggest concerns are for the health and safety for my granddaughters," said Rose Walker of Legislative District 17.
Republican Rose Walkers' sentiments were echoed by Blakeman, who says transgender females have competitive advantages.
"Look this isn't about transgender. This is about fairness and safety," he said.
Blakeman first introduced the ban as an executive order before the Nassau County Supreme Court struck it down.
A statement released by Nassau County Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton earlier this month condemned bill.
"In light of the recent actions by Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and the Nassau Republican Legislature regarding the transgender community, it is crucial to remind everyone that the New York State Attorney General has already deemed this proposal blatantly illegal," the statement read, in part.
The Nassau County ACLU says they're prepared to take legal action.
ALSO READ | MTA stops construction on Second Avenue subway amid congestion pricing pause
----------
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
