Judge backs N.H. dads' right to wear 'XX' wristbands at school games

The Boston Globe · HOLLY RAMER · 2026-11-06 13:49 UTC

Two years of litigation over the wearing of pink wristbands to soccer games in New Hampshire has ended with a settlement.

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Two fathers who oppose allowing transgender athletes to play high school sports will be allowed to wear pink wristbands marked “XX” to games, a federal judge said Thursday in an order ending more than two years of litigation.

Kyle Fellers and Anthony Foote sued the Bow school district after they were banned from school grounds for wearing the wristbands to a 2024 soccer game that included a transgender girl on the opposing team.

In a dismissal order Thursday, US District Court Judge Steven McAuliffe said the men have a First Amendment right to silently wear the wristbands and that school officials violated it. Under a settlement agreement, the district’s risk pool will pay $225,000 to the Institute for Free Speech, which represented the men in court, and $50,000 to the men’s attorney. The plaintiffs will each get $17.91, an amount that symbolizes the year states ratified the First Amendment.

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