It is Orwellian that state Attorney General Letitia James has decided that Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s executive order protecting the rights of girls and women in sports is somehow discriminatory [“Nassau ordered to halt trans ban,” News, March 2].
Perhaps James can answer a few questions to clarify who is discriminated against when biological men compete against women.
Why is the women’s net in volleyball 7 1⁄2 inches lower than the men’s net? Why did the top female finisher at the 2023 New York City Marathonfinish 22 minutes behind the top male? How did the 203rd-ranked male tennis player at the time beat Serena Williams 6-1 and Venus Williams 6-2 in 1998? How did trans female Lia Thomas go from male obscurity to a female NCAA Division I national swimming champion in 2022?
When these questions can be answered in a scientific manner, I will agree with James. Until then, this upside-down doublespeak that would describe an order designed to protect female rights in sports as discriminatory is absurd.
— Michael Burns, Mineola
The writer has coached various girls’ and boys’ sports in middle and high school over the past 28 years.
Former President Donald Trump has declared during campaign rallies that, if elected to the presidency, he would on Day One sign an executive order to cut federal funding to any school pushing “transgender insanity” onto the heads of our children.
Then, Bruce Blakeman signed his executive order regarding a transgender girls ban although he had not even heard of any transgender girls in Nassau County who have tried to compete on a girls’ team [“Transgender sports ban is all about politics,” Opinion, Feb. 29].
One could assume that Blakeman is looking to distract attention from the imminent crisis at Nassau University Medical Center while trying to garner MAGA points.
His unnecessary and potentially harmful rhetoric toward the transgender community only endangers their lives.
Blakeman needs to do the job he was elected to do instead of serving as a divisive Trump follower and just leave the kids alone.
— Barbara Coniglio, Smithtown
Finally, a politician had enough courage and common sense to do what many people believe had to be done. In the interest of fairness and safety to female athletes, Bruce Blakeman banned transgender athletes from competing in sports aligned with their gender identity at county facilities.
We don’t pit males against females in sports that are dependent on women’s strength and speed, and we can’t allow transgender females to play against biological females for the same reason. It wouldn’t be a fair matchup and could be dangerous.
Transgender female swimmers have shattered hard-earned, long-held women’s records. This makes a mockery of women’s accomplishments in the sport. Transgender females have outmuscled biological females on the basketball court, occasionally causing injury.
It is unconscionable to defend the rights of transgender females while infringing upon the rights of biological females. Blakeman should hang tough. He is a role model for all politicians and sets an example for those who lack the courage to do what’s right.
— Angelo Vetrano, Floral Park
I applaud the message Bruce Blakeman sent. I don’t care whether these individuals consider themselves male or female, as long as it is understood that there is a biological difference between them.
I am sorry if science and facts are offensive. Sometimes the truth hurts. The truth is that males have a perhaps unfair physical advantage. Males are bigger, faster and stronger with different body compositions such as muscle density.
As a father of two girl athletes, I am keenly aware of the difference between genders. I am happy Blakeman is getting out in front of this. I can only hope that Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine does the same. Girls’ sports need to be protected, not abused by boys who no longer view themselves as boys.
— Dan McCally, East Islip
I strongly disagree with your editorial criticizing Bruce Blakeman for barring transgender girls from competing on all-girls sports teams in county facilities [“Blakeman should just do his job,” Opinion, Feb. 26]. Trans girls should have their own teams made up solely of transgender males and females. Trans girls’ bodies are not like biological girls, and that can contribute to damaging bodily injury as had apparently occurred in a recent basketball game.
Recently, a trans female swimmer for Ramapo College won the girls’ 200-yard individual medley and broke a school record at the New Jersey Athletic Conference Championships. She has the body of a male. Is this fair play?
— Pat King, Merrick
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