A federal judge in New Hampshire has told two transgender students they can disregard a state law that bans them from competing in women’s and girls’ sports at their public high schools.
U.S. District Court Chief Judge Landya McCafferty allowed Parker Tirrell, 15, and Iris Turmelle, 14 – who both use the pronouns she and her – to participate in female sports after their families filed a lawsuit on Friday to overturn the ‘Fairness in Women’s Sports Act’.
Republican Governor Chris Sununu signed the new law in July, which requires students to play on sports teams that align with the sex listed on their birth certificate.
House Bill 1205 was scheduled to go into effect on Monday – the same day Parker started soccer practice. Meanwhile, Iris hopes to soon try out for the girls track and field and tennis team at her school.
Now, McCafferty, who was nominated by former President Barack Obama in 2013, has granted the teens a temporary restraining order against the New Hampshire law.
U.S. District Court Chief Judge Landya McCafferty allowed Parker Tirrell, 15 (pictured) to participate in female sports after their families filed a lawsuit on Friday to overturn the ‘Fairness in Women’s Sports Act’
McCafferty also granted Iris Turmelle, 14, (pictured) to participate in girls’ sports at her public high school after her and Parker’s family’s sued the state on Friday
When he signed the bill into law, Sununu said it ‘ensures fairness and safety in women’s sports by maintaining integrity and competitive balance in athletic competitions.’
The judge found that Parker, whose family sought an emergency order for their child, had ‘demonstrated that she is likely to succeed on the merits of her case.’
The students’ legal team and the state now have two weeks to schedule a preliminary hearing order that would block the new law being enforced while the case continues.
According to the lawsuit, the state’s new law ‘violates protections and federal laws because the teens are being denied equal educational opportunities and are being discriminated against because they are transgender.’
McCafferty went on to question how law would protect biological girls from ‘unfair competition’ given that Parker has been taking puberty blockers to prevent changes to her body.
The judge also found that without the blockers, Parker would endure irreversible harm.
Iris is also taking puberty-blocking medication and hormone therapy ‘to alleviate the distress of physical characteristics that conflict with their gender identity,’ the suit said.
McCafferty, who was nominated by former President Barack Obama in 2013, has granted the teens a temporary restraining order against the New Hampshire law
Republican Governor Chris Sununu (pictured in January) signed the new law in July, which requires students to play on a sports team that aligns with the sex listed on their birth certificate
Michael DeGrandis, an attorney for the state, argued that even though missing soccer practice is ‘stressful’, it doesn’t mean they should be excused from the law.
‘The law denies them the many educational, social, and physical and mental health benefits that come with playing sports, isolating them from friends and teammates while singling them out for discrimination solely because they are transgender girls,’ GLAD, an advocacy group representing the athletes, said in a statement.
After the hearing, Chris Erchull, an attorney at GLAD Legal Advocates & Defenders, said that the temporary ruling was anticipated.
‘We are very happy with the judge’s order. It is also what we expected, because we know that this law is unfair and violates the rights of transgender girls of New Hampshire,’ Erchull said.
According to court documents, Parker, a rising senior, at Plymouth Regional High School, played for the soccer team last year and was hoping to participate again.
‘Playing soccer with my teammates is where I feel the most free and happy. We’re there for each other, win or lose,’ Tirrell said.
‘Not being allowed to play on my team with the other girls would disconnect me from so many of my friends and make school so much harder.
‘I just want to be myself and to learn, play, and support my teammates like I did last year.’
Iris is an incoming freshman at Pembroke Academy who was looking forward to getting into sports at their school.
According to court documents, Parker (pictured), a rising senior, at Plymouth Regional High School, played for the soccer team last year and was hoping to participate again
‘Starting high school is exciting and new. I played intramural tennis in middle school,’ Iris said.
‘I’ve been looking forward to trying out for the tennis and track teams because it will be a way to make more friends in my new school, and I know I’ll learn a lot from it.
‘I’m a transgender girl, I’ve known that my whole life and everyone knows I’m a girl. I don’t understand why I shouldn’t get to have the same opportunities as other girls at school,’ she added.
Both of their mother’s feel strongly about their children’s passions and won’t stand to see a bill get in their way.
‘Any parent wants to know their child is healthy, happy, and feels like they belong. That is no different for my husband and me as parents of a transgender daughter,’ Sara, Parker’s mom, said.
‘I am really worried about the harmful impact it will have on Parker’s self-esteem and wellbeing if she is told she has to start the new school year without joining her teammates on the field.’
Iris’s mother, Amy, explained that her daughter was bullied in middle school and that her and her husband just want to protect her.
‘After participating in Girls on the Run she is also looking forward to a new challenge by trying out for the school track and field team,’ she said.
After the hearing, Chris Erchull (pictured), an attorney at GLAD Legal Advocates & Defenders, said that the temporary ruling was anticipated
In July, three transgender athletes swept the board in a 1-2-3 at a prestigious women’s cycle race in the elite women’s Madison at Washington’s Marymoor Grand Prix
‘Iris experienced bullying at her middle school, and my husband and I just want her to be safe, feel included, and to be treated fairly so she can have a positive and happy high school experience.’
DailyMail.com contacted Governor Sunu, the New Hampshire Department of Education and the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office for comment.
The lawsuit comes as the country continues to debate about bans against transgender athletes in women’s sports.
In July, three transgender athletes swept the board in a 1-2-3 at a prestigious women’s cycle race in the elite women’s Madison at Washington’s Marymoor Grand Prix.
The athletes’ places left fans infuriated and female competitors in the shade. marking the first time trans women are known to have had a place on every podium spot in a race.
Race venue the Jerry Baker Memorial Velodrome in Redmond warned it would not tolerate ‘bullying or derogatory comments especially related to race, creed, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability.’