'People fear what they don't understand': Rachel Levine, pioneering trans official, on protecting...

[marmar]

(Guardian UK) This year has been excruciating for many Americans who have been battered by Covid, extreme weather disasters and political discord, but for one individual 2021 will be remembered for having propelled her into national prominence.

Rachel Levine has shattered not one but two major glass ceilings this year. In March, she became the first openly transgender person to win confirmation in the US Senate after Joe Biden nominated her as assistant secretary of health.

Then in October she was sworn in as the first openly transgender four-star officer as an admiral and head of the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. At that exalted rank she gets to wear the blue uniform of the corps, which though non-military is one of eight uniformed services.

It’s been a heady 12 months, having been plucked from relative obscurity as health secretary for Pennsylvania on to the national stage. Levine’s meteoric rise is all the more impressive given how few openly trans federal officials there are in American public life. ..........(more)

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/dec/28/rachel-levine-us-trans-health-official-profile

[Jilly_in_VA]

1. Ignorance + Fear Hate

Always.

[Deep State Witch]

2. Dr. Levine Kicks Ass!

As I still have ties to Pennsylvania, I watched her closely during the beginnings of COVID. She really kicked some ass and took names!

[Walleye]

3. I agree. Her press briefings were clear and refreshing. We get the Philadelphia stations