If that joint stipulation is not filed by the deadline, then a hearing will be scheduled on the plaintiffs’ motion for a temporary restraining order as shortly after noon on Monday as possible, according to the records. The parties were also directed to file a joint scheduling proposal by Wednesday regarding the plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction.
Lawyers for Tirrell and Turmelle — who are represented by attorneys from GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders, the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire, and Goodwin — asked the court to provide relief on an expedited emergency basis so Tirrell can attend practice on Monday with her teammates.
Chris Erchull, a senior staff attorney with GLAD, said barring Tirrell, a rising sophomore, from returning to practice at Plymouth Regional High School is “the perfect exemplar of why this law is so unfair and so cruel.”
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.
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Kyla A. Welch, superintendent of the Pemi-Baker Regional School District, which includes Plymouth Regional High School, said her leadership team had no choice but to begin enforcing the new restrictions, even though the district has yet to enact a policy to govern application of the new law. Welch noted that the new law allows private parties to sue schools for failing to enforce its restrictions. The state hasn’t provided any guidance, she said Friday, on how to handle the new law.
Proponents of the legislation, which Republican Governor Chris Sununu 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,” New Hampshire Senate President Jeb Bradley, a Wolfeboro Republican, said 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’s typical for testosterone-driven male puberty, their lawsuit says.
Tirrell said she has entertained hopes of one day winning an athletic scholarship, but the notion that she has an unfair advantage or poses a physical risk to her teammates doesn’t match the reality: She stands 5 feet 6 inches tall and has less muscle mass than some of her female peers — not exactly the imposing presence that policy makers seem to have in mind.
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“They imagine a trans girl as a big, buff, beefy, bodybuilder man,” she said. “I feel like that’s how they picture it.”
The lawsuit, which says it would be “painful and humiliating” for Tirrell to be forced to switch from the girls’ team to the boys’ team, alleges that enforcement of the state law violates both Title IX and the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment.
The defendants are New Hampshire Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut, each of the seven members of the state Board of Education, the Pemi-Baker Regional School District and each member of its board, and the Pembroke School District and each member of its board.
A spokesperson for the New Hampshire Department of Justice, which represents the state defendants, said Saturday the DOJ would not comment beyond the court filings.
Attorneys representing the Pemi-Baker Regional School District defendants and the Pembroke School District defendants did not immediately respond Saturday.
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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.
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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.
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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…
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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
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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
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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.
