When the girls’ soccer team at Plymouth Regional High School in New Hampshire began practice on Saturday in preparation for the official start of the season on August 30, transgender athlete Parker Tirrell was able to join her teammates.
That’s what a federal judge ruled on Monday after the families of two transgender teenagers – 15-year-old Tirrell and 14-year-old Iris Turmelle – filed a lawsuit on Friday, days before a new law would take effect that would ban it. they don’t play with teams that match their gender identity.
They say the law violates the youth’s Title IX rights, a civil rights law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in educational settings that receive federal funding.
“Sports has been a source of joy for him and has been his main way of making friends and experiencing a sense of belonging and connection with others. Soccer is his true passion,” he said according to Tirrell. “She played on the girls soccer team last year in ninth grade and is excited to join the team when the season officially starts again.”
The lawsuit comes after Tirrell’s school approached the teenager’s mother last Thursday, telling her she would not be allowed to attend football practice. The initial phase of the law, signed last month by Republican Gov. Chris Sununu, will go into effect Monday — the same day football practice is scheduled to begin.
Parker Tirrell, a transgender teenager, whose family is with another family, filed a lawsuit on Friday, August 16, 2024, challenging the New Hampshire state law that prohibits him from playing on a girls’ sports team in a public high school.
Sara Tirrell via AP
The new law requires schools to designate teams as male, female or coed. Eligibility for athletes under the law is determined based on the type assigned on the birth certificate, or “other evidence.” Governor Sununu said in a statement after the signing. He said the bill “ensures fairness and safety in women’s sports by maintaining integrity and competitive balance in athletic competition.”
Sununu’s office did not immediately respond to ABC News’ request for comment.
Chief Justice Landya B. McCafferty ruled in favor of the plaintiff there as related to the case of Tirrell. In his decision, he said the state and the school district “must allow the plaintiff Parker Tirrell to try out for, practice with, compete with, and play in the school’s sports team designated for girls under the same terms and conditions as other girls. “
“Parker is going to soccer practice right now,” said Chris Erchull, Senior Staff Attorney at GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (Bunga) and attorneys representing Tirrell and Turmelle, told ABC News after the decision. “And he has the authority to play.”
Legal representatives for the New Hampshire Department of Education Commissioner, the New Hampshire State Board of Education, the Pemi-Baker Regional School District and Pemi-Baker Regional School Board members did not immediately respond to ABC News’ requests for comment.
Monday’s decision only applies to Tirrell’s case — lawyers filed for the emergency order before the first day of football practice, which coincides with the day the lawsuit was to be enforced.
Turmelle, who is entering ninth grade, played intramural tennis in high school and plans to try out for the girls’ tennis and track teams (which are winter and spring sports) when she enters high school, according to the complaint. He noted that he hopes his participation in sports will help him make more friends, form a group of friends and overcome the stress he experiences in life.
Iris Turmelle, a 14-year-old transgender teenager, whose family is with another family, filed a lawsuit on August 16, 2024, challenging the New Hampshire state law that prohibits playing on girls’ sports teams in public high schools.
Vocaturo via AP
Judge McCafferty’s order will remain in effect until the next hearing on August 27, unless an extension is issued by the judge. Tirrell and Turmelle’s cases will be heard, marking the first time Turmelle’s case has come before a judge.
“That’s what we expect the result to be because we know we’re right in the law, and we know we’re right about the plaintiffs’ rights,” Erchull said.
