Two transgender teenage girls from New Hampshire have initiated legal action against the state’s education officials over a recently enacted law that restricts transgender students’ participation in school sports. The law, known as House Bill 1205, mandates that students in grades 5-12 must compete on sports teams aligned with the gender listed on their birth certificates, effectively barring transgender girls from participating in girls’ teams.
Parker Tirrell, a 15-year-old student at Plymouth Regional High School, and 14-year-old Iris Turmelle, who attends Pembroke Academy, are at the forefront of this legal challenge. Their lawsuit contends that the law violates federal civil rights protections under Title IX, which prohibits sex discrimination in educational programs receiving federal funding. Tirrell has already felt the impact of the law, as her school has excluded her from the girls’ soccer team. She expressed her dismay, stating, “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.”
Turmelle, who has not yet faced exclusion, plans to try out for her school’s girls’ tennis and track and field teams. She shared her confusion over the new restrictions, saying, “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.”
This lawsuit highlights the growing national debate over transgender students’ rights, particularly in the realm of school sports. Since 2020, 25 states have passed laws similar to New Hampshire’s, often citing concerns about competitive fairness. However, critics argue these laws are discriminatory and deny transgender students the full benefits of educational opportunities, including physical activity, leadership development, and social integration.
The Tirrell and Turmelle families are represented by GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), the ACLU of New Hampshire, and the law firm Goodwin Procter. They argue that the law not only violates federal protections but also marginalizes transgender students by denying them access to the same educational experiences as their peers.
The New Hampshire Department of Education and the Attorney General’s Office have not provided comments on the lawsuit, but the case is likely to add fuel to the ongoing legal and cultural battles over the rights of transgender individuals in the United States.
