NY appeals court strikes down Nassau County's ban on transgender athletes

A New York appeals court on Wednesday struck down Nassau County's ban on transgender girls and women participating in certain sports competitions at county-owned facilities, marking a turning point in a years-long legal battle.

The local law prohibited teams designated for women and girls from using county-owned sports facilities if they allowed transgender women and girls to compete.

The ban, backed by Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, had been subject to multiple legal challenges.

Both the New York Civil Liberties Union and Attorney General Letitia James filed separate lawsuits, arguing that the ban violated state laws protecting against discrimination based on gender identity.

Wednesday's ruling reversed a lower court decision that had upheld the ban. The appellate court found that Nassau County could not enact a local law that conflicted with the state's antidiscrimination protections.

The ban had already been temporarily blocked by the same appeals court in October 2025 while litigation continued.

But Nassau County did not consider the legal battle over.

“We are reviewing the decision with the intention to continue the appeals process,” county attorney Thomas Adams said.

That may be easier said than done, according to Gabriella Larios, an attorney at the NYCLU, which filed its lawsuit on behalf of the Long Island Roller Rebels, a women's roller derby league.

“The court made it abundantly clear that any attempt to ban transgender girls from public spaces across our state is prohibited by New York's anti-discrimination laws,” Larios told Gothamist. “So this is a massive victory, not just for trans people in sports, but for trans people everywhere.”

Larios said Nassau County could seek to appeal to New York's highest court, but there is no guarantee the court would agree to hear the case.

“It is an uphill battle for them, and they would be flying in the face of very clear state law in pursuing that appeal,” Larios said.

The Roller Rebels said they continue to welcome transgender women to join their league.

The appeals court also ruled in favor of the attorney general in a separate lawsuit challenging the same ban.

“Transgender athletes have the right to play on the court or field like everyone else,” James wrote on X Wednesday.