Tag: Rachel Levine

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News Round-Up: October 25, 2021

Choreographer Travis Wall

Catching up on some news items you might have missed: • OUT: Two-time Emmy-winning choreographer and So You Think You Can Dance star Travis Wall (above) has been taken off of the Break the Floor dance company’s tours after allegations of sexual misconduct and grooming were leveled at him by a then-underaged dancer with the company. Continue reading “News Round-Up: October 25, 2021”

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Dr. Rachel Levine Becomes 1st Transgender Senate-Confirmed Appointee In History

Dr. Rachel Levine could become the first transgender federal official confirmed by the Senate.

Dr. Rachel Levine could become the first transgender federal official confirmed by the Senate.
Dr. Rachel Levine (image via Twitter)
Dr. Rachel Levine was confirmed today by the U.S. Senate as assistant secretary of health at the Department of Health and Human Services. By a vote of 52-48, Levine made history as the first openly transgender federal official to be confirmed by the Senate. Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Susan Collins (R-ME) voted yes along with all Senate Democrats. Levine was previously Pennsylvania’s secretary of health, where she led the commonwealth’s COVID-19 response. LGBTQ advocacy groups applauded the news. Liz Seaton, policy director for the National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund:

“Her qualifications as a physician and Surgeon General of Pennsylvania and her experience dealing with the public health issues affecting our country today made her an incredibly qualified candidate for this position. Our country will be in good hands as we face unprecedented health challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic to the epidemic of opioid addiction and the longstanding HIV/AIDS epidemic.”

Lambda Legal CEO Kevin Jennings:

“The Senate’s confirmation of Dr. Levine marks the return of science, competence, and empathy to one of the most important institutions in our government and at one of the most critical public health moments in our nation’s history. Throughout her impressive career as a doctor and public servant, Dr. Levine has demonstrated a commitment to equity in health care and an understanding of how public health is inextricably linked to social justice.”

And Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Institute, said the following about her confirmation:

“President Biden committed to appointing our nation’s most qualified leaders to tackle the pandemic and he delivered in choosing Dr. Levine.

“Yet the importance of this moment extends well-beyond the health of our nation alone. At a time when hateful politicians are weaponizing trans lives for their own perceived political gain, Dr. Levine’s confirmation lends focus to the contributions trans people make to our nation and deflates absurd arguments calling for their exclusion.

“Her experience leading the health department in Pennsylvania will serve our country well and her unique perspective regarding healthcare for trans people will be invaluable.”

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Podcast: Biden Goes To Work On LGBTQ Issues, Once-a-Month HIV Drug Approved

The Randy Report podcast

Biden goes to work on LGBTQ issues In this week’s podcast: • President Joe Biden goes to work on LGBTQ issues on Day One including reversing the transgender military ban, expanding workplace protections and more • Pete Buttigieg introduced his husband Chasten at his Senate confirmation hearing for Transportation Secretary • Dr. Rachel Levine could become the highest ranking transgender official in the U.S. government • The FDA approved a new once-a-month injectable HIV medication • The new queer mini-series ‘It’s A Sin’ premieres to rave reviews • Out singer/songwriter Kisos releases his gorgeous new music video ‘He Didn’t Want Me’ All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report As mentioned in the episode, you can email me your suggestions at randyslovacek (at) gmail.com

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Rachel Levine Could Be 1st Senate-Confirmed Transgender Federal Official

Dr. Rachel Levine could become the first transgender federal official confirmed by the Senate.

Dr. Rachel Levine could become the first transgender federal official confirmed by the Senate.
Dr. Rachel Levine (image via Twitter)
CNN reports President-elect Joe Biden has tapped Dr. Rachel Levine to serve as assistant health secretary. Levine would make history as the first transgender federal official to be confirmed by the United States Senate.

Levine is currently the Pennsylvania health secretary and a pediatrics and psychiatry professor at Penn State College of Medicine. She served as the state’s physician general in 2015 and assistant health secretary in 2017. Levine was confirmed as the state’s health secretary in 2018 under Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration.

Throughout her career, Levine has written about the opioid crisis, LGBTQ medicine, medicinal marijuana, eating disorders and adolescent medicine.

She graduated from Harvard College and the Tulane University School of Medicine and completed her training in Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at the Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New York City.

Biden previously announced California attorney general , Xavier Becerra, as Secretary of Health and Human Services. Becerra, like Levine, would make history as the first Latino in the role. Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Institute, released the following statement about the nomination of Dr. Levine:

“Our nation is fortunate to have Dr. Rachel Levine nominated for a position so important to ending this pandemic and her experience on the frontlines in Pennsylvania will prove invaluable as Assistant Secretary. Her nomination is groundbreaking and shows the Biden administration will choose the most qualified individuals to lead our nation regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Dr. Levine is making history and will transform Americans’ perceptions of trans people when she takes office and begins to work on their behalf.”