HHS Replaces Admiral’s Name in Portrait with Deadname, Sparking Outrage
The Department of Health and Human Services, under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has altered Adm. Rachel Levine’s official portrait by replacing her legal name with her deadname. This change was made during a recent federal shutdown, raising procedural concerns as such actions are not deemed essential duties. HHS defended the alteration, claiming a focus on “biological reality” and reversing Levine’s policies, while critics, like Adrian Shanker, view the move as an act of pettiness and bigotry reflecting a broader pattern of erasing transgender people from public life. Admiral Levine responded through Shanker, emphasizing her commitment to advancing health equity and public health.
John Q. Hosedrinker