Controversy Surrounding Adm. Rachel Levine's Portrait Alteration at the Humphrey Building
The seventh floor of the Humphrey Building in Washington, D.C., houses a collection of photographic portraits of past leaders of the Public Health Corps at the federal Department of Health and Human Services. Among these portraits is Adm. Rachel Levine, the first transgender person to be Senate-confirmed as President Biden's assistant secretary for health. Levine's portrait, displayed since her confirmation in 2021, was recently altered to include her previous name below the image, sparking controversy.
The change to Levine's official portrait was confirmed by an HHS spokesperson, who cited the alteration as a response to the previous legal name being used. This move has been criticized by Adrian Shanker, a former deputy assistant secretary for health policy in the Biden administration and now Levine's spokesperson, who labeled it as an act of bigotry. Despite the alteration, Levine declined to comment on the matter, emphasizing her commitment to serving the American people.
The current assistant secretary for health, Adm. Brian Christine, succeeded Levine in the role. The alteration of Levine's portrait has been deemed disrespectful and emblematic of the erasure of transgender individuals by some within the administration. This incident comes amidst a broader context of anti-transgender sentiments and policies, particularly during the 2024 campaign and under the Trump administration, which targeted the rights of transgender and intersex individuals across various federal agencies.
The alteration of Adm. Rachel Levine's official portrait at the Humphrey Building is a contentious issue that has raised concerns about the treatment of transgender individuals within the federal government. Despite the controversy surrounding the change, Levine's contributions to public health and her groundbreaking role as the first transgender Senate-confirmed official should be recognized and celebrated.