On Thursday, February 22, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman signed his 5th Executive Order since taking office, officially banning male-to-female transgender athletes from competing on women’s teams at facilities that are owned or run by the county.
Blakeman said that the Executive Order is not intended to exclude individuals from competing in athletics, but is instead intended to “help protect the integrity of women’s sports in Nassau County.”
“This is not precluding anybody from participating in sports,” he said. “What it is it’s identifying that there are women and girls who spend a tremendous amount of time and effort to excel and compete in their sports that are women’s sports. It is an unfair advantage for someone who’s a biological male to compete against a biological female.”
“What we are saying here today with our executive order is that if a league or team identifies themselves or advertises themselves to be a girls or women’s league or team, then biological males should not be competing in those leagues,” Blakeman added.
Dr. David Kilmnick, president and founder of the New York LGBT Network, issued a statement upon Blakeman’s signing of the order, criticizing his decision.
“We are profoundly disappointed in Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s announcement of an executive order aimed at banning transgender athletes from participating in sports teams that align with their gender identity,” Kilmnick said. “This discriminatory move not only undermines the principles of inclusivity and fairness but also perpetuates harmful stereotypes and exclusion.”
