Rachel Levine, historic transgender nominee, confirmed as assistant health secretary

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Washington Post



The Senate on Wednesday voted 52 to 48 to confirm Rachel Levine as the nation’s assistant secretary for health, making her the highest-ranking openly transgender official in U.S. history. All Democrats and independents voted to support Levine, with Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) crossing the aisle to support her, prompting cheers from advocates who called the vote a breakthrough.

“I firmly believe that turning points, such as today’s Senate confirmation vote for Dr. Levine’s appointment, are powerful indications that this nation is truly heading down the pathway to lasting transgender equality,” said Raffi Freedman-Gurspan, who served in the Obama administration and was the first openly transgender official to work in the White House.

Levine, who most recently served as Pennsylvania’s top health official, is the first openly transgender official to be confirmed by the Senate. Her candidacy was widely opposed by religious rights groups, and some Republican critics also zeroed in on gaps in Pennsylvania’s nursing home data that they said complicated the state’s response to the pandemic.

The assistant secretary for health oversees a broad portfolio of public-health initiatives, and President Biden has said that Levine will play a key role in the nation’s coronavirus response. The Trump administration’s assistant secretary for health, Brett Giroir, served as the nation’s coronavirus testing czar. The assistant secretary for health also oversees the surgeon general. Vivek H. Murthy, was confirmed for that role Tuesday. Levine is expected to be sworn in later this week.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/03/24/rachel-levine-confirmed/

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Congrats to Dr. Levine! She is a Pediatrician by training too as a note.

[JI7]

1. The comments to this on social media are just fucking disgusting

It's just allowing dehumanizing hatred against her and others in the lgbtq community.

[BumRushDaShow]

2. They attacked her while she still here in PA

Last edited Wed Mar 24, 2021, 08:08 PM - Edit history (1)

and that includes the GOP assholes in the state legislature.

I know last summer, she let loose on them -

[Oneironaut]

5. Spare your mind that filth.

It’s poison. I don’t even read comments anymore - it’s just aggravating.

[twodogsbarking]

3. I live in Pa and every day she would give

virus updates and tell everyone to follow guidelines. She handled things extremely well, considering. Smart woman.

[BumRushDaShow]

4. I live in Philly and watched her pressers

Also had her "daily reminders" about washing hands (for the length of time it took to sing "Happy Birthday" ), not touching your face, etc., just about memorized!

[twodogsbarking]

7. She dumbed it all down for all

Pennsavanyuns. I live in Centra Pennsavanya.

[Skittles]

6. excellent

and fuck the haters; methinks they are very vocal but very outnumbered

[Politicub]

8. Yes! This matters.

I’m glad she didn’t get sidelined.

I could care less about what people on social media think. It’s a projection chamber, and reflects what we already knew: there is a tremendous amount of transphobia in America.

Levine is stronger than any of the people who oppose her.