Roller Rebels in Nassau County team up with civil rights attorneys to challenge County Executive Bruce Blakeman.
The Long Island Roller Rebels, a women’s roller derby team based in Nassau County, has always been a welcoming space for L.G.B.T.Q. athletes, including transgender members like Jack Sawula. However, the team faced a setback when the county implemented a ban on transgender athletes participating in women’s sports at county-owned sites in July.
County Executive Bruce Blakeman defended the ban as a measure to protect girls and women from potentially bigger and stronger athletes. This move has caused concern and unrest among the Roller Rebels, who see it as a violation of their civil rights. In response, the team has partnered with the New York Civil Liberties Union to challenge the ban through legal action.
The Roller Rebels now find themselves at the center of a legal battle against the ban, with the support of civil rights advocates. This unexpected alliance has put them in opposition to Mr. Blakeman, a Republican with ties to former President Donald J. Trump. Members of the team, like Karlen Velkovska, have criticized the ban as a form of “professional legislational bullying.”
As the Roller Rebels continue to fight for their right to include transgender athletes on their team, the issue of transgender participation in sports has become a contentious topic in Nassau County. The team’s collaboration with the New York Civil Liberties Union underscores the importance of protecting the rights of all athletes, regardless of their gender identity.
Source: The NY Times
