Appeals court strikes down Nassau County's ban on transgender women in women's sports at county parks; the county says it will keep appealing
A New York appeals court struck down Nassau County's law keeping women's teams with transgender players out of county parks, saying it conflicts with state anti-discrimination law. Letitia James welcomed the ruling, and the county says it will keep appealing.
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Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
Overview
On November 4, 2026, New York's Appellate Division, Second Department, ruled that Nassau County's law barring women's and girls' teams that include transgender women and girls from county parks and facilities conflicts with state anti-discrimination law and is invalid. Attorney General Letitia James and the NYCLU, which challenged the law, welcomed the ruling. The county attorney says Nassau intends to continue the appeals process.
Read the full background
In February 2024, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman issued an executive order barring women's and girls' sports teams that include transgender women and girls from county-run parks and facilities. The New York Civil Liberties Union sued on behalf of the Long Island Roller Rebels, a women's roller derby league that welcomes transgender women, and a state judge struck down the order in May 2024.
The Republican-controlled county legislature then passed Local Law No. 3-2024, which bars the use of county park property for women's and girls' events that allow transgender women and girls to compete. Attorney General Letitia James sued the county and Blakeman in July 2024, arguing that the law conflicts with state anti-discrimination law, and the NYCLU challenged the new law for the league.
In October 2025, Justice R. Bruce Cozzens of the Nassau County Supreme Court upheld the law, and on October 15, 2025 he dismissed the attorney general's complaint. In the league's case, an appeals court barred the county from enforcing the law while the appeal continued. Blakeman said the county would continue to protect the integrity and safety of women's sports.
On November 4, 2026, a four-judge panel of the Appellate Division, Second Department, reversed the ruling in the attorney general's case. It held that the state Human Rights Law and Civil Rights Law expressly prohibit the county from restricting access to places of public accommodation based on gender identity or expression, so the local law is preempted and invalid, and it sent the case back for a judgment declaring the law invalid. WABC-TV reports that the ruling lets the Roller Rebels play again at county-run facilities. County Attorney Thomas Adams said the county is reviewing the decision and intends to continue the appeals process.
People in this case
Bruce BlakemanDirectly involved
Letitia JamesCommented
Timeline
4 timeline entries on this page. Dates: May 10, 2024 to November 4, 2026
May 2024
A state judge strikes down Blakeman's executive order
The Nassau County Supreme Court strikes down the executive order barring transgender women and girls from women's and girls' sports at county-run facilities, in the lawsuit the NYCLU filed for the Long Island Roller Rebels.
[01]New York Civil Liberties Union
The NYCLU reports that the Nassau County Supreme Court struck down Blakeman's executive order banning transgender girls and women from girls' and women's sports at county-run facilities, in a lawsuit it filed in March 2024 for the Long Island Roller Rebels.
Court Strikes Down Nassau County Anti-Trans Sports Ban · New York Civil Liberties UnionFull press release
October 2025
Justice R. Bruce Cozzens dismisses the attorney general's challenge to the county law
The Nassau County Supreme Court denies the attorney general's motion for summary judgment and grants the county's motion to dismiss her complaint against Local Law No. 3-2024.
[02]People of the State of New York v. County of Nassau, Decision and Order (Appellate Division, Second Department)
A four-judge panel of the Appellate Division, Second Department, reverses the Nassau County Supreme Court's October 15, 2025 order, grants the attorney general summary judgment, and holds that Local Law No. 3-2024 conflicts with the state Human Rights Law and Civil Rights Law section 40-c and is invalid as preempted. It sends the case back for a judgment declaring the law invalid.
People of the State of New York v. County of Nassau, Decision and Order (Appellate Division, Second Department)Decision and order, No. 2025-14071, pages 1 to 3[03]Fox News
Fox News reports that a New York appeals court froze Nassau County's ban days after a judge upheld it, quotes Blakeman's vow to the New York Post to keep protecting women's sports, and summarizes the history of the executive order and the county law.
November 2026
The Second Department strikes down the county law
The appeals court reverses the lower court and holds that the law conflicts with state anti-discrimination law protecting gender identity and expression in places of public accommodation, and is invalid.
[02]People of the State of New York v. County of Nassau, Decision and Order (Appellate Division, Second Department)
A four-judge panel of the Appellate Division, Second Department, reverses the Nassau County Supreme Court's October 15, 2025 order, grants the attorney general summary judgment, and holds that Local Law No. 3-2024 conflicts with the state Human Rights Law and Civil Rights Law section 40-c and is invalid as preempted. It sends the case back for a judgment declaring the law invalid.
People of the State of New York v. County of Nassau, Decision and Order (Appellate Division, Second Department)Decision and order, No. 2025-14071, pages 1 to 3[04]Attorney General James Wins Lawsuit Against Nassau County Over Illegal Trans Athlete Ban
Letitia James's statement after the Second Department ruling, with a summary of her July 2024 lawsuit against Nassau County and Bruce Blakeman and of the court's holding.
[05]Appeals court strikes down Nassau County transgender sports ban
WABC-TV reports the ruling, quotes NYCLU senior staff attorney Gabriella Larios on behalf of the Long Island Roller Rebels, recalls Blakeman's defense of the measure when it was enacted, and quotes a statement from Nassau County Attorney Thomas Adams.
Nassau County says it will continue the appeals process
Reaction
County Attorney Thomas Adams says the county is reviewing the decision with the intention to continue its appeals.
[05]Appeals court strikes down Nassau County transgender sports ban
WABC-TV reports the ruling, quotes NYCLU senior staff attorney Gabriella Larios on behalf of the Long Island Roller Rebels, recalls Blakeman's defense of the measure when it was enacted, and quotes a statement from Nassau County Attorney Thomas Adams.
Claims
Claims separate what was said from what is contested. Follow each source for the original wording and context.
What's disputed
Disputed claim
Nassau County's ban on teams that include transgender women and girls in women's and girls' sports at county facilities protects the integrity and safety of women's sports.
What is disputed
On November 4, 2026, the Appellate Division, Second Department, held that the county law conflicts with state laws that prohibit discrimination based on gender identity or expression in places of public accommodation, and is invalid. The NYCLU, which represents the Long Island Roller Rebels, says the ban is aimed at excluding transgender people from their communities.
Sources (1)
Response record
Responses
Choose one response filter, or select All responses to see the full record.
4 responses. Newest first.
Letitia JamesNew York attorney general, in a statement after the rulingBefore this statement
James's statement opens by saying that nobody should have to fight to play the game they love, and that the Second Department made clear Nassau County cannot ban transgender athletes.
"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."
CondemnedResponding to: Nassau County's ban on teams that include transgender women and girls in women's and girls' sports at county facilities protects the integrity and safety of women's sports.
Full statement and sources
After the Second Department ruled against the county, James says nobody asked for the illegal and exclusionary policy, that Blakeman was trying to stop athletes from playing with their teammates, and that she is pleased the court saw through it.
After the statement
She adds that as long as she is attorney general, no New Yorker will be shut out of public life because of who they are.
Why this label?
The reference point is Nassau County's law barring women's and girls' teams that include transgender women and girls from county parks and facilities, which the Second Department struck down on November 4, 2026. James calls the law illegal and exclusionary and says Blakeman was trying to keep athletes from their teammates, which condemns it.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
New York Civil Liberties UnionGabriella Larios, senior staff attorney at the New York Civil Liberties Union, which represents the Long Island Roller Rebels, speaking to WABC-TVBefore this statement
WABC-TV reports that the NYCLU sued in 2024 on behalf of the Long Island Roller Rebels. Larios says the court made it abundantly clear that state anti-discrimination laws prohibit any attempt to ban transgender girls from public spaces, and calls the ruling a significant victory for transgender athletes.
"I want people to understand that this ban is unjust, and it is aimed at excluding trans people from places they have grown up, from communities that they feel safe in"
CondemnedResponding to: Nassau County's ban on teams that include transgender women and girls in women's and girls' sports at county facilities protects the integrity and safety of women's sports.
Full statement and sources
Gabriella Larios, the NYCLU lawyer for the Long Island Roller Rebels, calls the ruling a significant victory for transgender athletes and says the county's ban is unjust and aimed at excluding trans people from communities where they feel safe.
After the statement
Larios also praises the Roller Rebels for their solidarity with their teammates, especially their transgender teammates.
Why this label?
The reference point is Nassau County's law barring women's and girls' teams that include transgender women and girls from county parks and facilities, which the Second Department struck down on November 4, 2026. The NYCLU's lawyer calls the ban unjust and aimed at excluding transgender people, which condemns it.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Nassau CountyNassau County Attorney Thomas Adams, in a statement reported by WABC-TVDirectly involvedBefore this statement
WABC-TV reports that an appeals court struck down the county's ban, and that Blakeman defended the measure when it was enacted.
"we are reviewing the decision with the intention to continue the appeals process."
Defended or excusedResponding to: Nassau County's ban on teams that include transgender women and girls in women's and girls' sports at county facilities protects the integrity and safety of women's sports.
Full statement and sources
In a statement after the ruling, Nassau County Attorney Thomas Adams says the county is reviewing the decision and intends to continue the appeals process.
After the statement
WABC-TV reports that with the court's decision, the Long Island Roller Rebels can play again at county-run facilities.
Why this label?
The reference point is Nassau County's law barring women's and girls' teams that include transgender women and girls from county parks and facilities, which the Second Department struck down on November 4, 2026. The county says it will keep appealing the ruling that struck down its law, which continues its defense of the ban.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Bruce BlakemanNassau County executive, speaking to the New York Post, as reported by Fox NewsDirectly involvedBefore this statement
Fox News reports that a New York appeals court froze the county's ban days after a judge upheld it, and that Blakeman vowed to move forward with the law.
"Nassau County will continue to protect the integrity and safety of women's sports"
Defended or excusedResponding to: Nassau County's ban on teams that include transgender women and girls in women's and girls' sports at county facilities protects the integrity and safety of women's sports.
Full statement and sources
After an appeals court barred the county from enforcing its law while the roller derby league's appeal continued, Blakeman tells the New York Post that Nassau County will continue to protect the integrity and safety of women's sports.
After the statement
Fox News reports that the Appellate Division said making the women's roller derby league coed would change the identity of the league.
Why this label?
The reference point is Nassau County's law barring women's and girls' teams that include transgender women and girls from county parks and facilities, which the Second Department struck down on November 4, 2026. Blakeman presents the ban as protecting the integrity and safety of women's sports and vows to keep doing so, which defends it.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Sources
(5)
Original text
People of the State of New York v. County of Nassau, Decision and Order (Appellate Division, Second Department)
Relevant passage: Decision and order, No. 2025-14071, pages 1 to 3
About this source
A four-judge panel of the Appellate Division, Second Department, reverses the Nassau County Supreme Court's October 15, 2025 order, grants the attorney general summary judgment, and holds that Local Law No. 3-2024 conflicts with the state Human Rights Law and Civil Rights Law section 40-c and is invalid as preempted. It sends the case back for a judgment declaring the law invalid.
- Author
- Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
Court Strikes Down Nassau County Anti-Trans Sports Ban
Relevant passage: Full press release
About this source
The NYCLU reports that the Nassau County Supreme Court struck down Blakeman's executive order banning transgender girls and women from girls' and women's sports at county-run facilities, in a lawsuit it filed in March 2024 for the Long Island Roller Rebels.
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Long Island county executive vows to protect women's sports after appeals court halts trans athlete ban
Relevant passage: Full article
About this source
Fox News reports that a New York appeals court froze Nassau County's ban days after a judge upheld it, quotes Blakeman's vow to the New York Post to keep protecting women's sports, and summarizes the history of the executive order and the county law.
- Author
- Ryan Morik
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Appeals court strikes down Nassau County transgender sports ban
Relevant passage: Full article
About this source
WABC-TV reports the ruling, quotes NYCLU senior staff attorney Gabriella Larios on behalf of the Long Island Roller Rebels, recalls Blakeman's defense of the measure when it was enacted, and quotes a statement from Nassau County Attorney Thomas Adams.
- Author
- WABC-TV
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
Attorney General James Wins Lawsuit Against Nassau County Over Illegal Trans Athlete Ban
Relevant passage: Full press release
About this source
Letitia James's statement after the Second Department ruling, with a summary of her July 2024 lawsuit against Nassau County and Bruce Blakeman and of the court's holding.
- Author
- Office of the New York State Attorney General
- Published
- Accessed
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- Publisher
- The Dispute Index
- Title
- Appeals court strikes down Nassau County's ban on transgender women in women's sports at county parks; the county says it will keep appealing
- First published
- Last updated
- Permalink
- https://disputeindex.com/cases/nassau-county-transgender-athlete-ban-appeals-court
The Dispute Index. "Appeals court strikes down Nassau County's ban on transgender women in women's sports at county parks; the county says it will keep appealing". First published: 2026-11-08. Last updated: 2026-11-08. https://disputeindex.com/cases/nassau-county-transgender-athlete-ban-appeals-court