A women’s roller derby league in suburban New York has thrust itself into the national discussion over the rights of transgender athletes.

They zip around the rink, armed with helmets, pads and mouthguards. They push, bump and occasionally crash out as they jostle for position on the hardwood floor.

But for the women of the Long Island Roller Rebels, their biggest battle is taking place outside the suburban strip-mall roller rink where they’re girding for the upcoming roller derby season.

The nearly 20-year-old amateur league is suing a county leader over an executive order meant to prevent women’s and girl’s leagues and teams with transgender players from using county-run parks and fields. The league’s legal effort, backed by the New York Civil Liberties Union, has thrust it into the national discussion over the rights of transgender athletes.

Amanda Urena, the league’s vice president, said there was never any question the group would take a stand.

“The whole point of derby has been to be this thing where people feel welcome,” said the 32-year-old Long Island native, who competes as “Curly Fry” and identifies as queer, at a recent practice at United Skates of America in Seaford. “We want trans women to know that we want you to come play with us, and we’ll do our very best to keep fighting and making sure that this is a safe space for you to play.”

    • tsonfeir@lemm.ee
      12·
      8 months ago

      Do they? Roller derby is crazy popular in my area. They even have roller derby camps for kids.

    • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
      11·
      8 months ago

      Roller derby began its modern revival in Austin, Texas in the early 2000s as an all-female, woman-organized amateur sport.[50] By August 2006, there were over 135 similar leagues.[51] Leagues outside the U.S. also began forming in 2006, and international competition soon followed. There are over 2,000 amateur leagues worldwide[52] in countries including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, France,[53] Brazil, Germany, Belgium, Finland, Norway,[54] Sweden,[55] Denmark,[56] Israel,[57] Singapore,[58][59][60] UAE,[61][62] Egypt,[63][64][65] Thailand,[66] and China.[67] In many international leagues, gear and equipment must be imported.[68] Roller derby’s contemporary resurgence has been regarded as an aspect of globalization which demonstrates “the speed with which pop culture is now transported by highly mobile expatriates and social media, while also highlighting the changing role of women in many societies”.[2]

      Many roller derby leagues are amateur, self-organized and all-female[69] and were formed in a do-it-yourself spirit by relatively new enthusiasts.[70] In many leagues (especially in the U.S.), a punk[71][72] aesthetic and/or third-wave feminist[73] ethic is prominent.[74] Members of fledgling leagues often practice and strategize together, regardless of team affiliation, between bouts.[75] Most compete on flat tracks, though several leagues skate on banked tracks, with more in the planning stages.[76]

      Each league typically features local teams in public bouts that are popular with a diverse fan base.[77] Some venues host audiences ranging up to 7,000.[78] Successful local leagues have formed traveling teams comprising the league’s best players to compete with comparable teams from other cities and regions. In February 2012, the International Olympic Committee considered roller derby, amongst eight other sports, for inclusion in the 2020 Olympic Games.[79][80]

      In 2009, the feature film Whip It featured roller derby and introduced a wider audience to the sport. The WFTDA encouraged leagues to coordinate with promotions during the film’s release to increase awareness of the leagues.[81] Furthermore, corporate advertising has used roller derby themes in television commercials for insurance,[82] a breakfast cereal,[83] and an over-the-counter analgesic.[84]

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roller_derby#Contemporary_roller_derby

      Doesn’t sound like they do.