Letitia James calls Nassau's ban an illegal and exclusionary policy after the appeals court ruling
Letitia JamesNew York attorney general, in a statement after the ruling
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.
Responding 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.
“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.”
Official statement
Where this statement fits
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
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.
Source and context
Official statement
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.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
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.
After the quotation
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.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
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.
- Recorded on
- Published here
- People and groups discussed
- Nassau County, Bruce Blakeman
More from this case
Read the full caseNassau County says it intends to continue appealing the ruling
Nassau County
“we are reviewing the decision with the intention to continue the appeals process.”Read statement
NYCLU, through attorney Gabriella Larios, calls Nassau's ban unjust and aimed at excluding trans people
New York Civil Liberties Union
“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”Read statement
Bruce Blakeman says Nassau will continue to protect women's sports after an appeals court freezes the ban
“Nassau County will continue to protect the integrity and safety of women's sports”Read statement
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- Letitia James calls Nassau's ban an illegal and exclusionary policy after the appeals court ruling
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The Dispute Index. "Letitia James calls Nassau's ban an illegal and exclusionary policy after the appeals court ruling". First published: 2026-11-08. Last updated: 2026-11-08. https://disputeindex.com/events/8427-after-the-second-department-ruled-against-the-county