NYCLU, through attorney Gabriella Larios, calls Nassau's ban unjust and aimed at excluding trans people
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-TV
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.
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.
“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”
Reporting
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
Reporting
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.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
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.
After the quotation
Larios also praises the Roller Rebels for their solidarity with their teammates, especially their transgender teammates.
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. The NYCLU's lawyer calls the ban unjust and aimed at excluding transgender people, which condemns it.
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- 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
Letitia James calls Nassau's ban an illegal and exclusionary policy after the appeals court ruling
“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.”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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- NYCLU, through attorney Gabriella Larios, calls Nassau's ban unjust and aimed at excluding trans people
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The Dispute Index. "NYCLU, through attorney Gabriella Larios, calls Nassau's ban unjust and aimed at excluding trans people". First published: 2026-11-08. Last updated: 2026-11-08. https://disputeindex.com/events/8428-gabriella-larios-the-nyclu-lawyer-for-the-long