New Hampshire dads who protested transgender athletes by wearing pink wristbands score court victory
The court said the parents’ silent protest was protected speech and upheld a judgment awarding $275,000 in attorneys’ fees and costs.
- On Thursday, the Bow School District settled a lawsuit, agreeing that parents have a First Amendment right to wear pink 'XX' wristbands at school sporting events, ending more than two years of litigation.
- Fathers Kyle Fellers and Anthony Foote were banned from Bow High School grounds in September 2024 after wearing the wristbands to protest a transgender athlete's participation in a girls' soccer game.
- The First Circuit ruled in August 2026 that the district violated rights, concluding the protest 'fell short of harassment and disruption' and that officials 'cannot favor one side of a debate involving parental speech.'
- Under the settlement, the district's risk pool will pay $275,000 in attorney fees and $17.91 to each plaintiff, symbolic of the year states ratified the First Amendment.
- Institute for Free Speech senior attorney Del Kolde said the win would 'make other school officials think twice before silencing one side of a public debate,' affirming parental free speech protections.
26 Articles
26 Articles
Associated Press News
New Hampshire dads who protested transgender athletes by wearing pink wristbands score court victory
Two years of litigation over the wearing of pink wristbands to soccer games in New Hampshire has ended with a settlement.
MACDONALD: Parents Prevail in Pink 'XX' Wristband Discrimination Case
School violated their First Amendment rights: District bound by court to allow peaceful sideline protest. We seem to be closing NH cases this week. On Nov. 4th, we reported on the settlement of a viewpoint discrimination case involving some ‘Grok ‘ authors and the City of Nashua. Today, the Institute for Speech announced that the ...
Bow parents win free speech fight over protesting transgender athletes in school sports
“It took more than two years, but the court has recognized that what happened to us was wrong,” parent Kyle Fellers said in a statement. “This was never just about sports. It’s about every parent’s right to peacefully express views without being punished for it.”
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 58% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
