HHS Changes Nameplate for Admiral Rachel Levine’s Portrait
The Department of Health and Human Services has altered the nameplate on the portrait of President Joe Biden’s former assistant secretary of transgender health, replacing her chosen name with her birth name.
The nameplate for Admiral Rachel Levine’s portrait, located in the Humphrey Building in Washington, D.C., has been modified to display “Richard,” which is Levine’s birth name. This change has been reported by various sources.
An HHS spokesperson mentioned to NPR that the goal is to ensure the information shared by the department accurately reflects standard science. They emphasized a commitment to reversing policies enacted by Levine, asserting that biological realities should guide their public health efforts.
Levine opted not to comment on what she termed “petty actions,” but her spokeswoman, Adrienne Shanker, described the change as a form of prejudice against her. Shanker claimed that during the recent federal shutdown, current leadership in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health altered Levine’s portrait to reflect her former name instead of her legal name.
Shanker stated that “Admiral Levine was a dedicated public health servant during his time as assistant secretary of health and admiral of the U.S. Surgeon General.” She criticized the nameplate change as an act of “narrow-mindedness and bigotry,” arguing that it unfairly represented Levine and the seriousness of the current political environment at HHS.
Levine transitioned in her 40s in 2011 after undergoing personal exploration and therapy regarding her gender identity. The current assistant secretary for health, Admiral Brian Christine, has a goal of restoring trust in public health and promoting “radical transparency,” according to the HHS biography.
It’s worth noting that the Trump administration had previously altered Biden’s portrait on the White House’s Wall of Honor by replacing it with a signed image. Neither Shanker nor HHS provided comments in response to inquiries regarding these actions.
