A federal judge temporarily permitted a transgender girl to participate in her high school's soccer team on Monday, amid an ongoing legal challenge to New Hampshire's recently enacted ban. The lawsuit, filed by the families of Parker Tirrell, 15, and Iris Turmelle, 14, aims to overturn the "Fairness in Women's Sports Act" signed by Republican Gov. Chris Sununu in the previous month. While Turmelle intends to join sports activities in December, Tirrell needed approval to join soccer practice Monday night, leading to Chief Judge Landya McCafferty's expedited ruling.
Judge McCafferty concluded that Tirrell showed probable success in her case, ordering an emergency relief that allowed her to commence practice just hours before it began. The injunction is temporary, with both parties required to schedule a hearing within 14 days to further discuss halting the enforcement of the law during the legal process. The lawsuit claims the law breaches constitutional and federal mandates by denying equal educational opportunities and discriminating against transgender individuals.
The judge scrutinized the law's purpose of preventing unfair competition, noting the state did not counter evidence showing that Tirrell lacked physiological advantages due to puberty-blocking medication. Despite the state attorney Michael DeGrandis's assertion that missing soccer practice did not constitute irreparable harm, the plaintiffs' lawyer argued it would result in a "permanent, stigmatizing impact." Chris Erchull, representing GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders, expressed satisfaction with the ruling, stating, "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." (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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