Current:Home > MarketsJudge allows transgender New Hampshire girl to play soccer as lawsuit challenges new law-LoTradeCoin
Judge allows transgender New Hampshire girl to play soccer as lawsuit challenges new law
View Date:2024-12-23 20:18:02
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A federal judge temporarily cleared the way Monday for a transgender girl to play soccer for her high school team while she and another student challenge a New Hampshire ban.
The families of Parker Tirrell, 15, and Iris Turmelle, 14, filed a lawsuit Friday seeking to overturn the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act” that Republican Gov. Chris Sununu signed into law last month. While Turmelle doesn’t plan to play sports until December, Tirrell sought an emergency order allowing her to start soccer practice Monday evening.
U.S. District Court Chief Judge Landya McCafferty granted the request with just hours to spare, finding that Tirrell had demonstrated likely success on the merits of the case. The two sides now have 14 days to schedule a hearing on the plaintiffs’ broader motion for a preliminary order blocking the state from enforcing the law while the case proceeds.
The lawsuit said the law violates constitutional protections and federal laws because the teens are being denied equal educational opportunities and are being discriminated against because they are transgender.
The judge questioned how the law, as applied to Tirrell, would protect girls from unfair competition given that the state isn’t contesting evidence that she has no physiological advantage after taking puberty-blocking medication to prevent bodily changes such as muscle development. McCafferty also found Tirrell had proven that she would suffer irreparable harm without it, another criteria for emergency relief.
Michael DeGrandis, an attorney for the state, argued that missing soccer practice, while “stressful,” didn’t meet that standard, but the girls’ lawyer disagreed, saying it would have a “permanent, stigmatizing impact.”
“We are very happy with the judge’s order. It is also what we expected, because we know that this law is unfair and violates the rights of transgender girls of New Hampshire,” Chris Erchull, an attorney at GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders, said after the hearing.
The rights of transgender people — and especially young people — have become a major political battleground in recent years as trans visibility has increased. Most Republican-controlled states have banned gender-affirming health care for transgender minors, and several have adopted policies limiting which school bathrooms trans people can use and barring trans girls from some sports competitions.
veryGood! (64942)
Related
- Women’s baseball players could soon have a league of their own again
- 3 more defendants seek to move their Georgia election cases to federal court
- Census Bureau wants to test asking about sexual orientation and gender identity on biggest survey
- 15 Things Under $50 That Can Instantly Improve Your Home Organization
- Champions Classic is for elite teams. So why is Michigan State still here? | Opinion
- What to know about the search for Sergio Brown: Ex-NFL player missing, mother found dead
- Asteroid that passes nearby could hit Earth in the future, NASA says
- Horoscopes Today, September 19, 2023
- Wisconsin agency issues first round of permits for Enbridge Line 5 reroute around reservation
- 2 Massachusetts moms made adaptive clothing for kids with disabilities. They hope to bring it to the masses.
Ranking
- Cavaliers' Darius Garland rediscovers joy for basketball under new coach
- New Mexico official orders insurance companies to expand timely access to behavioral health services
- Fentanyl found under sleeping mats at Bronx day care where 1-year-old child died
- Ryan Seacrest Shares Pat Sajak and Vanna White’s Advice for Hosting Wheel of Fortune
- Melissa Gilbert recalls 'painful' final moment with 'Little House' co-star Michael Landon
- Why the UAW is fighting so hard for these 4 key demands in the auto strike
- Am I allowed to write a letter of recommendation for a co-worker? Ask HR
- Wisconsin Legislature set to reject governor’s special session on child care, worker shortages
Recommendation
-
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Something Corporate
-
Nick Saban and Alabama football miss Lane Kiffin more than ever
-
College football bowl projections: Florida State holds onto playoff spot (barely)
-
Arizona county elections leader who promoted voter fraud conspiracies resigns
-
Jason Statham Shares Rare Family Photos of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Their Kids on Vacation
-
Lazio goalkeeper scores late to earn draw. Barca, Man City and PSG start Champions League with wins
-
2 Massachusetts moms made adaptive clothing for kids with disabilities. They hope to bring it to the masses.
-
Azerbaijan and Armenia fight for 2nd day over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh