Maine Gov. Janet Mills is set to receive the Human Rights Award from the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization next month. The award is in recognition of her efforts in challenging the Trump administration’s stance on transgender athlete inclusion in women’s and girls’ sports. Mills expressed her gratitude for the honor, citing Robert F. Kennedy as a source of inspiration for her commitment to upholding civil rights and the rule of law.
The ceremony will celebrate not only Mills but also Justice Department pardon attorney Elizabeth Oyer and immigration activist Jeanette Vizguerra. These individuals are being honored for their moral courage and willingness to stand up for their beliefs, even in the face of personal risk. The decision to present Mills with the award comes after a series of legal battles between the state of Maine and the federal government regarding transgender participation policies in sports.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture filed a lawsuit against Maine after the state refused to comply with the president’s executive order to exclude males from female sports. The disagreement led to a funding freeze and a review of federal funding to the state, with the USDA demanding that Maine protect female athletes from transgender inclusion. Despite these challenges, Maine ultimately dropped the lawsuit against the administration after federal funding was restored. The state continues to navigate legal hurdles surrounding the contentious issue.
