In response to today’s U.S. Senate confirmation of Dr. Rachel Levine as Assistant Health Secretary of the federal Department of Health and Human Services, the Los Angeles LGBT Center issued this statement:
“The Los Angeles LGBT Center congratulates Dr. Rachel Levine on this monumental occasion of becoming the first openly transgender person to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. At a time when anti-transgender legislation is sweeping across state houses nationwide—just last week far right zealots attacked the rights of transgender members of our community to exist—today’s confirmation sends a powerful message that our community will not be deterred from seeking to represent us in the highest positions across this country.
“The Center looks forward to working with Dr. Levine in her new role as Assistant Secretary of Health, and we are optimistic she can help bring desperately needed attention to the health needs of the transgender and broader LGBTQ community.”