According to The Boston Globe, a federal judge has made a ruling on Monday allowing a transgender high school student to participate in girls soccer team practice and other team activities on a temporary basis. This decision comes as a result of a lawsuit that challenges New Hampshire’s recently implemented state law which prohibits transgender girls from participating in girls sports.
Last week, the families of students Parker Tirrell and Iris Turmelle took legal action against a recently implemented state law. The law, which came into effect on Monday, prohibits them from participating in girls’ sports at their respective public high schools.
According to the lawsuit, Tirrell, a sophomore, is eager to participate in her school’s girls soccer team for the second year, while Turmelle, a freshman, is hopeful of trying out for the school’s tennis and track and field teams.
Both teenagers have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria and they are currently undergoing treatment to align their physical development with their female identities. This includes taking puberty-blocking medication and hormone therapy, as stated in the lawsuit.
Tirrell has a deep passion for soccer, and both girls share the same desire to engage in sports. Beyond the love for the game, they view sports as an avenue to build friendships, foster connections with their peers, and find solace amidst life’s challenges.
According to the lawsuit, New Hampshire’s recently enacted law deprives transgender teenagers of equal educational opportunities and discriminates against them solely based on their transgender identity. This is in clear violation of federal law and the constitutional guarantees of equal protection.
The GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), the ACLU of New Hampshire, and Goodwin are providing legal representation for the teenagers and their families.
GLAD, in a statement, expressed that by denying transgender girls the opportunity to participate in sports, the law not only deprives them of various educational, social, and physical and mental health benefits but also isolates them from their friends and teammates. GLAD strongly believes that this discriminatory treatment solely based on their transgender identity is unfair.
During the initial phase of the lawsuit, Tirrell has been granted a temporary agreement that will enable her to participate on the girls’ soccer team, as their season has already begun.
