On Wednesday, two transgender girls in New Hampshire initiated a legal challenge against U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order, which would prohibit them from participating in female school sports.
Parker Tirrell, 16, and Iris Turmelle, 15, along with their parents, filed a lawsuit last year against a New Hampshire law that bars transgender girls from joining female school sports. This law is one of many passed in Republican-led states across the U.S.
In September, U.S. District Judge Landya McCafferty, an appointee of Democratic President Barack Obama, issued a preliminary injunction preventing New Hampshire and school districts from enforcing the law.
Tirrell and Turmelle are now seeking to expand their case to challenge Trump’s executive orders, which state that the U.S. government will only recognize two sexes—male and female. These orders would also deny recognition of any sex changes and ban transgender women and girls from participating in female sports.
On Wednesday, the judge granted them permission to file an amended complaint.
“School sports are an important part of education—something no child should be denied simply because of who they are,” said Chris Erchull, a lawyer representing the plaintiffs at GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders, in a statement.
The plaintiffs argue that Trump’s February 5 executive order, along with a previous one, discriminates against transgender individuals, violating their rights to equal protection under the U.S. Constitution and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.
Harrison Fields, a spokesperson for the White House, stated that each of Trump’s executive orders would stand up in court, as all actions taken by his administration are entirely legal.
“Any legal challenge against it is merely an attempt to undermine the will of the American people, who overwhelmingly elected President Trump to secure the border, revitalize the economy, and restore common-sense policies,” Fields said.
In court filings on Wednesday, the two students stated that their schools risk losing federal funding, leaving both transgender girls uncertain and fearful about their education.
Tirrell plays soccer, while Turmelle hopes to try out for tennis in the spring. Both have been involved in sports since childhood.
According to the complaint, Tirrell and Turmelle recognized their female identities at an early age and underwent puberty-blocking medication and hormone therapy to align their bodies with their gender identities. Neither will experience testosterone-driven puberty.
