A New York appeals court has struck down Nassau County's law that barred transgender girls and women from participating in women's sports teams using county facilities. The unanimous ruling by a four-judge panel of the Appellate Division, Second Department, reversed a lower court decision and found the county law conflicted with New York's statewide antidiscrimination protections.
Attorney General Letitia James, who led the legal challenge against the policy, hailed the decision. "Transgender athletes have the right to play on the court, field, or roller rink like everyone else, and today the Second Department made clear that Nassau County cannot ban them," James stated. She added, "No one asked for this illegal and exclusionary policy. Bruce Blakeman was just trying to stop athletes from playing with their teammates. I am pleased the court saw right through it."
Nassau County Attorney Thomas Adams indicated the county intends to continue its legal fight. "We are reviewing the decision with the intention to continue the appeals process," Adams said in a statement.
The county law, first implemented by executive order in February 2024 and later passed as legislation, required organizations seeking permits for sporting events at county facilities to designate teams as male, female, or coed based on biological sex at birth. The restrictions specifically prohibited permits for female events that allowed transgender female competitors.
The appeals court found that Nassau's permit restrictions were preempted by the state Human Rights Law and Civil Rights Law, which prohibit discrimination based on gender identity or expression. The court directed the lower court to declare the measure invalid under the state Constitution and Municipal Home Rule Law.
This decision comes amid a broader national debate over transgender eligibility in women's sports. The county's policy affected over 100 facilities, including athletic fields, courts, pools, and ice rinks.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman signed the law on July 15, 2024, after a prior executive order was struck down by a judge. This led to lawsuits from both James and the New York Civil Liberties Union. A State Supreme Court justice had previously upheld the law in October 2025, but the Second Department later granted a preliminary injunction blocking its enforcement.
The four judges on the appellate panel were appointed by Democratic governors. Justice Betsy Barros and Justice Deborah Dowling were appointed by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, while Gov. Kathy Hochul appointed Justice Barry Warhit and announced the selection of Justice Lisa Ottley.