Federal court allows transgender teen to play on New Hampshire school sports teams

A federal judge on Tuesday granted a preliminary injunction that partially blocks a New Hampshire law that banned transgender students from playing on school sports teams that were different than their biological sex.

Two transgender students and their families sued education officials in New Hampshire last month over the sports ban. The New Hampshire law requires students in grades 5-12 to play on sports teams that match the gender that they were born with, rather than the one they identify as.

The new injunction only applies to 14-year-old Iris Turmelle, who claimed the law violates Turmelle's civil rights under Title IX, according to NBC News. The judge also granted an emergency order for the other plaintiff in the case, 15-year-old Parker Tirrell, last month. 

“Regardless of the availability of other athletic opportunities, in the absence of a preliminary injunction plaintiffs would be publicly singled out for discriminatory treatment based on an immutable characteristic,” U.S. District Judge Landya McCafferty ruled on Tuesday. “The stigma and humiliation that comes from such treatment of a child at the hands of the State is substantial and irreparable.”

Turmelle's and Tirrell's legal representation claimed the new injunction was a "positive step forward," in a joint statement. 

“The only plaintiffs in this case are Parker and Iris, but the court is clear that the law is discriminatory in violation of US Constitution and Title IX,” Chris Erchull, a staff attorney at GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders, said. “It will be up to schools and school districts across NH to make a determination about whether to comply with their obligations under the US Constitution and Title IX.”

Tirrell, who was born male but identifies as female, was previously barred from the girl's soccer team at Plymouth Regional High School. Turmelle, who was also born male but identifies as female, was banned from trying out for Pembroke Academy's girls’ tennis and track and field teams.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.