A New York City elected official is suing state Attorney General Letitia James over her decision to block his order that bars transgender athletes from competing against biological females in sporting events at facilities that are located within his county.
The official in question is Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman who is suing James over the attorney general's cease-and-desist letter. It regards the matter with transgender athletes that asks a federal court in the Eastern District of New York to rule that the official does not have the authority to implement the ban.
Trans Athlete Ban
Blakeman's lawsuit against James stems from a Feb. 22 executive order that was issued by the county official that banned trans athletes from participating in events against biological females at Nassau County facilities. These areas would include parks and other county property, as per Fox News.
The official order requires any teams, leagues, or organizations that are seeking a permit from the county's parks and recreation department to "expressly designate" whether they are male, female, or coed athletes.
It notes that any teams designated as "female" would be denied permits if they allow transgender athletes to participate in the events. However, the ban does not apply to men's teams with transgender athletes.
Blakeman spoke at a news conference that was held on Wednesday where he said that the goal of the ban was to protect "biological females' right to equal opportunities in athletics." He argued that it also protects their right to a "safe playing field."
The Nassau County official said that girls and women in contact sports could get severely injured if they are forced to compete against transgender women. Blakeman said that the policy was implemented because of the unfair advantage that males have over females, according to ValdostaDailyTimes.
He argued that males are bigger, faster, and stronger than females, calling it a scientific fact. On Wednesday, Attorney General James' office echoed previous statements that called Blakeman's order "transphobic and discriminatory."
Discrimination Against Transgenders
James also threatened on Friday to take legal action if the New York County official does not rescind his order in a week. She said that among other things, the ban would subject women's and girls' sports teams to "intrusive and invasive questioning."
Proponents and opponents of restrictions against transgender athletes have pointed to a limited number of studies in support of their arguments. Those who support the restrictions often assert that the participation of transgender women encroaches on the space that the federal law known as Title IX carved out for cisgender women and girls.
In a statement, James said that the law was perfectly clear in saying that you cannot discriminate against a person because of their gender identity or expression. She noted that there was no room for bigotry or hate in New York.
The chief of James' office's Civil Rights Bureau, Sandra Park, said that failure to comply with the attorney general's director to rescind the ban could result in further legal action. In a letter, Park said that Blakeman's executive order violates the state's human rights law, said The Hill.
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