HHS replaces transgender admiral’s official portrait with deadname in an act of 'pettiness and bigotry'

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has recently modified the official portrait of Admiral Rachel Levine, the first openly transgender person confirmed by the U.S. Senate under President Joe Biden. The name Rachel has been replaced with her deadname on the portrait, which is displayed on the seventh floor of the Humphrey Building in Washington, D.C., alongside other Public Health Corps leaders. The change was made beneath the glass typically used for permanent institutional displays, drawing sharp criticism.

According to NPR, the modification appears to have taken place during the recent federal shutdown, shortly after the Senate confirmed Assistant Secretary for Health Brian Cristine. Federal shutdown regulations restrict employees to tasks related to public safety or health emergencies, and altering a portrait does not seem to fall under those guidelines. This raises concerns about the legitimacy of the action during a time of limited government operations.

Adrian Shanker, who previously worked as Levines deputy and led the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Healths external affairs, described the move as a troubling misuse of institutional authority. He emphasized Levine's commitment to public health, including efforts to combat the HIV epidemic, address syphilis surges, and improve mental health and nutrition during her tenure. Shanker labeled the change as an act of pettiness and bigotry, stating that it is unfair not only to Levine but also to the American people who deserve better leadership at HHS.

In defense of the change, HHS issued a statement to NPR, claiming the departments priority is to ensure that the information presented internally and externally by HHS reflects gold standard science and to focus on reversing harmful policies enacted by Levine while advancing biological reality. This response reflects the administrations ongoing efforts to remove references to transgender individuals from federal materials, further fueling the controversy.

Shanker pointed out that the departments rhetoric obscures the true nature of the act. This isnt about policy, he said. Its a small act of pettiness and bigotry. He also expressed concern that this action fits into a broader agenda to erase transgender people from public life, undermining both their legal rights and their basic existence.

While Levine, who is currently traveling, chose not to directly address the issue, she provided a brief statement through Shanker: It was my great honor to serve in the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. My focus has been and continues to be on how we can advance health equity and public health for everyone. Im not going to comment on this type of petty action.

Author: Grace Ellison