Supreme Court ruling on transgender athletes won't impact New York State

ALBANY — The U.S. Supreme Court decision Tuesday allowing states to ban transgender athletes from girls' and women's sports will not have an impact on New York athletes because of the state's existing protections banning discrimination against transgender individuals.

The ruling written by Justice Brett Kavanaugh upholds laws in Idaho and West Virginia banning transgender athletes from female sports teams. There are 27 states that have some ban on transgender athletes in girls’ and women’s sports.

New York is not one of them. It is illegal in New York for schools to discriminate based on a student’s gender identity or expression.

Robert Zayas, executive director of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association, said it will continue to follow the state’s anti-discrimination laws.

"We have conducted this practice for more than a decade and have worked closely with state leadership to ensure that students are able to participate in accordance with all New York State laws," he said.

The NCAA, which oversees college athletics across the country, did not respond to a request for comment.

Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, said that while the ruling won't apply to New York, it will allow for discrimination against transgender athletes elsewhere and embolden politicians seeking to enact other anti-transgender policies. 

"The court’s decision is an attack on young transgender women and girls around the country who just want to participate in student athletics, compete on a team, have fun with their peers, and be treated with the same dignity and respect as anyone else," she said.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman celebrated the ruling, saying it "affirmed the constitutional rights of women and girls."

Blakeman, the Republican nominee for governor, has sought to ban transgender athletes competing on female-only teams in Nassau County.

"But while the Court stood up for our daughters, Kathy Hochul continues putting them in danger by forcing biological males onto their teams," Blakeman said in a statement.

A spokesperson for the governor did not directly address the ruling in a statement, saying, "New York has always been a safe haven for the LGBTQ community and Governor Hochul will continue to follow New York State laws and protections."

In 2024, Blakeman issued an executive order banning transgender athletes from participating in girls' and women's sports on county property. The Nassau County Legislature later passed a law codifying that ban. In October, a New York appeals court paused enforcement of the ban.

Attorney General Letitia James, who sued to overturn Nassau County’s ban, said Tuesday the court ruling amounts to an abandonment of young transgender people.

"So much of the conversation around transgender athletes forgets that there are real people impacted by these policies," James said in a statement. "Sports teams are essential settings for young adults to build camaraderie, friendships and life-long skills.