Judge extends temporary order for transgender New Hampshire girl to play high school soccer
The federal judge in New Hampshire extended the temporary order for a transgender student to play soccer with her high school team. He is also considering arguments for an order that would last longer and possible trials.
The families of Parker Tirrell (15) and Iris Turmelle (14), filed a suit on August 16 to challenge the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, which Republican Governor Chris Sununu signed into law last month. Chris Sununu passed the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act into law last month. Turmelle does not plan to begin sports until December. However, Tirrell was granted an emergency order that allowed her to begin soccer practice as early as August 19.
Landya McCafferty, the chief judge of the U.S. District Court, found that Tirrell demonstrated a likelihood of success in the case. She extended the order, which was due to expire on Tuesday, by two weeks, until September 10. McCafferty listened to arguments about the plaintiffs’ larger motion for a preliminarily order that would prevent the state from enforcing law during the course of the case.
McCafferty has also suggested that Turmelle could be tested this fall before the winter track season begins for Turmelle who attends another school.
Chris Erchull said he was ready to go to trial. Erchull is an attorney with GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders, who represents the students. Michael DeGrandis said that he needed to talk with the Attorney General’s Office about this.
Erchull stated in a press conference that “she’s going be hurt as soon as Iris steps into school next Monday.” “She does not have any guarantees that she can participate in sports at school this year.”
The lawsuit alleged that the law violates federal and constitutional laws, because teens are denied equal education opportunities and discriminated against for being transgender.
Lawyers for state claimed that the teenagers’ lawyers had not proven their case, and they hadn’t demonstrated why other options, like joining coed teams, could not be considered.
Sununu’s bill prohibits transgender students in grades 5-12 from joining teams that match their gender identity. The bill requires schools to label all teams either boys, girls or coed. Eligibility is determined by birth certificates of students “or other proof.”
Sununu said that it ensures fairness and safety for women’s sport by maintaining integrity and balance in athletic competitions. He added that the state is now among nearly half of the country who have adopted similar measures.
Transgender rights, and particularly those of young people, have been a major issue in politics over the past few years due to increased trans visibility. Most Republican-controlled states have banned gender-affirming health care for transgender minors, and several have adopted policies limiting which school bathrooms trans people can use and barring trans girls from some sports competitions.