Students Challenge New Hampshire Law Excluding Transgender Girls from School Sports
Two New Hampshire high school students, Parker Tirrell and Iris Turmelle, along with their families, have filed a lawsuit against a state law, HB 1205, that prohibits transgender girls in grades 5-12 from participating in school sports. Represented by GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), the ACLU of New Hampshire, and Goodwin, the students argue that the law discriminates against them, denying their right to equal education and the associated benefits of sports.
As school approaches, Parker, who is entering tenth grade and previously played on her girls’ soccer team, and Iris, a first-year student eager to join both tennis and track teams, express their disappointment in the law. “Not being allowed to play… would disconnect me from… friends and make school so much harder," Parker stated, while Iris emphasized her longing for the same opportunities as her peers.
The lawsuit, titled Tirrell and Turmelle v. Edelblut, contends that the law violates federal rights and protections against discrimination. The families seek immediate relief to allow the students to compete when the sports season begins.
Legal representatives from GLAD and the ACLU underscored the impact of sports on students’ mental and physical well-being, emphasizing that all students should have access to these essential benefits. They criticize the law for stigmatizing transgender girls and affirming their right to participate fully in school life.
The case was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire, with hopes of securing a decision that supports equitable treatment in educational settings.
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