Two transgender teenagers and their families have filed a lawsuit against New Hampshire education officials over a new state law that prohibits them from competing on girls’ sports teams at their public high schools. The lawsuit, filed in the US District Court in Concord, requests Parker Tirrell, 15, be allowed to play with the girls’ soccer team and Iris Turmelle, 14, be able to try out for the girls’ tennis and track and field teams.
The law, known as House Bill 1205, is set to go into effect soon and would prevent both girls from participating in girls’ sports teams at their schools. New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu signed the bill into law last month, stating that it aims to ensure fairness and safety in women’s sports by maintaining integrity and competitive balance in athletic competitions.
The advocacy group GLAD, the ACLU of New Hampshire, and the law firm Goodwin Procter, representing the girls and their families, argue that the state law denies Tirrell and Turmelle equal educational opportunities and discriminates against them because they are transgender, violating federal law and the constitutional right to equal protection.
The lawsuit highlights that the law isolates the girls from friends and teammates, singling them out for discrimination solely based on their transgender identity. Both teenagers have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria and are undergoing medical treatment to alleviate distress related to their gender identity.
Tirrell, a student at Plymouth Regional High School, expressed her disappointment at being excluded from the soccer team, emphasizing the importance of playing sports with her teammates for her well-being and sense of belonging. Turmelle, who is about to start high school at Pembroke Academy, shared her excitement about trying out for the tennis and track teams as a way to make friends and learn new skills.
The lawsuit comes amid a broader national debate on transgender athletes' rights, with several states enacting laws that restrict their participation in sports teams. New Hampshire is one of 25 states with laws banning transgender students from competing on teams aligning with their gender identities.
The lawsuit names New Hampshire Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut and other state and local education officials as defendants. Governor Sununu, the New Hampshire Department of Education, and the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office have not yet provided comments on the matter.
