NEW YORK – Today, a Nassau County Supreme Court upheld the county’s local law banning trans girls and women from participating in girls’ and women’s sports at county-run facilities. The ruling is consistent with the court’s earlier preliminary injunction decision in January 2025 maintaining the ban. Following a NYCLU appeal in March, the same issues are up on appeal before the Appellate Division, Second Department. In response, New York Civil Liberties Union Staff Attorney Gabriella Larios and Long Island Roller Rebels President Curly Fry released the following statements:
“Today’s decision sends a chilling message that trans people don’t belong in Nassau County, but the fight doesn’t end here,” said Gabriella Larios, staff attorney at the New York Civil Liberties Union. “The ruling flies in the face of longstanding state law, which makes clear that trans women and girls have the right to play sports alongside other women and girls. Despite this setback, we will challenge this decision to ensure trans girls and women can play sports freely, just like everyone else. We are confident that New York courts will ultimately see the ban for what it is – unlawful and discriminatory.”
“Nassau County’s anti-trans sports ban is cruel, and today’s decision to uphold it is just as harmful,” said Curly Fry, (they/them) president of the Long Island Roller Rebels. “We will not be deterred. This fight is bigger than one league. It is about every trans person’s right to exist and to play. Derby has been a haven for queer and trans people, and we will keep fighting to honor that legacy.”
In July 2024, the NYCLU filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Long Island Roller Rebels, a Nassau County adult recreational women’s flat track roller derby league. The suit challenges the county’s local law banning transgender girls and women from participating in girls’ and women’s sports at county-run facilities. Under the law, the league, which welcomes trans women, is barred from using the county facilities.
You can find case materials here: https://www.nyclu.org/court-cases/roller-rebels-v-county-of-nassau-et-al
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