NEW YORK (AP) 鈥� New York Attorney General Letitia James on Friday demanded that a county on Long Island scuttle its new prohibition against transgender women and girls competing in female sports.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman issued on Feb. 22 banning sports organizations from county-run athletic facilities if they allow transgender girls and women to compete on female teams.
The order specifically requires any sports teams, leagues, programs or organizations seeking a permit from the county's parks and recreation department to 鈥渆xpressly designate鈥� whether they are male, female or coed based on their members鈥� 鈥渂iological sex at birth.鈥�
The order, which went into effect immediately, impacts more than 100 sites, from ballfields to basketball and tennis courts, swimming pools and ice rinks across the suburban New York City region, which is located just east of Queens and is the state鈥檚 wealthiest county.
But James, in her Friday, said the order is a clear violation of the state鈥檚 anti-discrimination laws and must be rescinded in five days, or else the county will face legal action.
鈥淭he law is perfectly clear: You cannot discriminate against a person because of their gender identity or expression,鈥� the Democrat said in a statement. 鈥淭his executive order is transphobic and blatantly illegal.鈥�
James also said the order will deter teams from other areas from competing in the county, and subjects women鈥檚 and girls鈥� sports teams to 鈥渋ntrusive and invasive questioning鈥� and other unnecessary verification requirements.
Blakeman, a Republican, didn't respond to messages seeking comment Friday, but struck a defiant tone on social media.
鈥淢y EO stops the bullying of women and girls by transgender males who have many outlets to compete without putting the safety and security of females in danger,鈥� he wrote in a formerly Twitter, in which he included James' announcement. 鈥淚n Nassau we will continue to fight for females鈥� right to be safe, secure, and have a level playing field to compete."
The Associated Press
