Christopher G. Bond, general counsel for the New Hampshire Department of Justice, said Sunday that the attorney general’s office is tasked with defending duly enacted state laws in court, so the office won’t agree to a temporary restraining order that would result in the suspension of provisions of the law at issue in this case.
The parties had until Monday morning to file a joint stipulation to formalize their potential agreement. But the court on Sunday scheduled a hearing for Monday at 2 p.m. to address a pending emergency motion, which signaled that no deal had been reached.
The plaintiffs’ emergency motion asks the judge to temporarily block New Hampshire education officials from enforcing the law and to allow Tirrell to keep attending practice and games with her team.
Chief Judge Landya B. McCafferty is presiding over this case in the US District Court for the District of New Hampshire. She was nominated by former president Barack Obama and is the first woman to serve as a federal district court judge in New Hampshire.
Advertisement
The enforcement action that triggered this lawsuit came Thursday, when the superintendent of Tirrell’s school district notified Tirrell’s parents that the teen would no longer be welcome at soccer practice beginning Monday, since the new law barring her from the team would take effect over the weekend.
With backing from three law firms that advocate for the rights of LGBTQ+ people, Tirrell and Turmelle, along with their respective parents, filed a lawsuit Friday to challenge enforcement of the new law.
Their attorneys argue in court filings that Tirrell, a rising sophomore at Plymouth Regional High School, and Turmelle, a rising ninth-grader at Pembroke Academy, will be denied “a critical aspect of their education” unless the court provides immediate relief.
“They are young adolescents at a critical stage of their personal development,” the attorneys wrote. “They will never get their early high school years back and, as such, a preliminary injunction is necessary to avoid the denial of a critical and unique educational program that cannot be repeated or replaced, let alone adequately compensated by money damages.”
“In their short high school careers, a single day that they miss out on essential educational opportunities will cause them great harm,” they added.
Advertisement
Iris Turmelle, 14, at her home in Pembroke, N.H.Erin Clark/Globe Staff
Proponents of the legislation — which Governor Chris Sununu, a Republican, signed last month — said it would protect safety and fairness for girls’ sports.
“It may not be universal, but biological males have a strength and speed advantage over biological females,” said New Hampshire Senate President Jeb Bradley, a Wolfeboro Republican, during legislative debate in May.
The lawsuit contends, however, that being transgender “is not an accurate proxy for athletic performance or ability.” Tirrell and Turmell are taking puberty-blocking medication and hormone therapy, so they won’t experience the muscular development and other physical changes that is typical for testosterone-driven male puberty, their lawsuit says.
Their attorneys argue they don’t have any physiological or biological advantage in girls’ sports and are being excluded based on their status as members of “a politically unpopular class.”
Advertisement
Under the new restrictions, public schools that serve students in fifth through 12th grades, and private schools whose students compete against public schools, must designate each of their interscholastic sports and club athletics teams as being for either males, females, or both.
A student’s sex is determined based on their unamended birth certificate. If a birth certificate “does not appear to be” original or does not specify sex at birth, then the student “must provide other evidence indicating the student’s sex at the time of birth” and cover any costs associated with doing so.
Private parties can sue schools for failing to enforce the new law’s restrictions.
The issue of how to treat transgender athletes has been a contentious topic in recent years. In late July, the Associated Press reported, a Florida school employee who allowed her transgender daughter to play on the high school’s girls volleyball team was suspended for 10 days. The employee is part of a federal lawsuit to block Florida’s law. A legal challenge to Connecticut’s policy about trans students competing in school sports has been making its way through the court system for several years.
Get N.H. Morning Report
Advertisement
A weekday newsletter delivering the N.H. news you need to know right to your inbox.
Steven Porter can be reached at steven.porter@globe.com. Follow him @reporterporter.
Schultz said she “highly respects” Aspell, too, but there was a “dissonance between reality” when eyeing what the public and city employees were earning.
Ward 6 City Council Aislinn Kalob, too, would not be voting for the increase, saying it had been “heavily on my mind since we’ve had our nonpublic sessions,” which lasted about six hours of work. She appreciated Kretovic clearly outlining the job of city manager. But people were frustrated with the city manager, and she saw that in the comments in online forums.
“I do feel, after really digging into this, and learning about his job,” she said, “and thinking toward the future when, eventually, at some point, somebody new will be sitting in that seat, we are the ones who direct policy and he is the one that implements it… there is anger out there that should be directed more toward us.”
Kalob said, too, a room full of firefighters, upset about their contract, also made voting for the wage increase something she could not consider.
Advertisement
Michele Horne of Ward 2 echoed similar concerns to Schultz, saying there was significant “wage disparity” between the public and staff and the city manager. She also agreed with Kalob’s point that previous councils created this contract.
Sunflowers are my absolute FAVORITE flowers. I truly feel like they have magical uplifting abilities. Hence, why I’ve always kept fresh sunflowers in my house, brightening up my kitchen table or even my TV stand.
Obviously, it was a dream of mine to have my maternity photos taken in a sunflower field. They reflect sunshine and exude happiness.
Not to mention, one of my favorite quotes is about sunflowers! “Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. It’s what sunflowers do.” Helen Keller
A beautiful reminder to keep an optimistic outlook on life and not dwell on the negative.
Advertisement
So, you can imagine the joy I felt when I learned that New Hampshire had its very own Sunflower Festival at Coppal House Farm in Lee!
Coppal House Farm via FacebookCoppal House Farm via Facebook
About the Sunflower Festival:
During the summer, the farm transforms into a sea of golden blooms, giving visitors the chance to wander through thousands of sunflowers, snap photos, enjoy local food vendors, artisan crafts, listen to live music, and experience one of New Hampshire’s most beautiful summer traditions.
Other unique activities on the itinerary? Sip-n-snip! Guests can enjoy a cocktail or mocktail of their choice and cut their own fresh bouquet of flowers.
Coppal House Farm via FacebookCoppal House Farm via Facebook
Or maybe you’re a yoga fan? You can join a 60-minute sweat session from Lee, New Hampshire yoga instructors right in the heart of the flower field.
And because the farm grows oilseed sunflowers for culinary oil (which they harvest in the fall months), the flowers only stay at their peak for a brief window, making the festival a limited-time experience, according to the festival organizers…
Advertisement
What makes this event even more special is the reason behind it. The festival started as a way to share the beauty of the sunflower fields, but it has grown into something much bigger. Organizers say the event has raised more than $90,000 for Make-A-Wish New Hampshire over the years and now shares a portion of its proceeds with several local nonprofit organizations serving the Seacoast community.
Anyone who knows me knows that paying it forward is something that’s incredibly important to me. It’s right up there with my love of sunflowers because both fill my cup in the best way. So, when I found out this festival celebrates my favorite flower and gives back to the community, I knew I had to share it.
Sunflower Festival Details:
This festival only runs from Saturday, July 25th until Sunday, August 2nd. You can get the full list of activities and more on the Coppal Farm website.
Daily Field Hours
Advertisement
10:00 AM – 6:30 PM (last admission at 6PM because fields close at 6:30) Weekend Tickets (prepurchased online – day before) $12 per person ages 13 & older $10 per person ages 5-12 $10 per person Seniors (65+) & Military 4 yrs & under are always free Weekend Tickets (purchased day of – online or at farm): $16 per person ages 13 & older $14 per person ages 5-12 $14 per person Seniors (65+) & Military 4 yrs & under are always free includes: access to sunflower fields, craft fair, food vending area, tented shade area, picnic area, farm animals, & live music
Weekday Tickets (prepurchased online – day before) $8 per person ages 13 & older $6 per person ages 5-12 $6 per person Seniors (65+) & Military 4 yrs & under are always free
Weekday Tickets (purchased day of – online or at farm) $12 per person ages 13 & older $10 per person ages 5-12 $10 per person Seniors (65+) & Military 4 yrs & under are always free
What tickets include: Access to sunflower fields, food vending area, tented shade area, picnic area, and farm animals
READ MORE: A Classic Fairy Tale Comes To Life At Portsmouth’s Prescott Park This Summer
Advertisement
This festival might just leave you smiling long after you leave the fields!
What Flowers Thrive in New England
See what flowers thrive in New England weather: Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.
Gallery Credit: Logan
14 of the Best New Hampshire Farms Offering Locally Grown Strawberries
14 of the Best New Hampshire Farms Offering PYO Strawberries
Ed. Note: If this was you and you are interested, please email [email protected] so I can put you in touch with OP.
“Dear PoPville,
I was biking home from a doctor appointment a little before noon on Friday, and stopped at a red light on New Hampshire & L st nw. There was a woman across the street who was looking fine in her dark blue (I think they were) scrubs. I might be crazy, but it felt like we kept checking each other out. By the third time,
if we were in a romcom, one of us would have waved. Sorry I didn’t, but if you are reading this and date men, reach out to the Prince if you are interested in that man on the bike. Have a great weekend!”
Ed. Note: If this is you, please email [email protected] so I can put you in touch with OP. PoPville is not affiliated with either party, please proceed with any potential connection at your own risk using caution as you would any online encounter. For those curious about past missed connections, many have been made and when possible I’ll try to update when/if more are made.
