Archive · 7 Dec 2025
Admiral Rachel Levine's Portrait Controversy
Admiral Rachel Levine is a very important doctor and public health leader.
She is the first openly transgender person to become a four-star admiral in the US Public Health Service.
Her official picture at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) was recently changed to use her old name instead of her current legal name.
This change happened during a government shutdown.
Some people, including Levine's spokesperson, say this change is mean and unfair.
But the people in charge at HHS say they did it because they believe in 'biological reality.'
Levine has had a long career helping people, especially in areas like fighting the opioid crisis and COVID-19.
She is also a strong supporter of LGBTQ+ rights and mental health resources.
Admiral Rachel Levine is the first openly transgender four-star admiral in the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.
Her official portrait at HHS was altered to use her deadname instead of her legal name during a federal shutdown.
Levine's spokesperson condemned the change as an act of bigotry, while HHS defended it as part of their 'biological reality' approach.
Levine served as the US Assistant Secretary for Health from 2021 to 2025, focusing on health disparities, vaccine access, and LGBTQ+ inequities.
She previously held key public health roles in Pennsylvania, including leading the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and opioid crisis.
- Who
- Admiral Rachel Leland Levine, the first openly transgender four-star admiral in the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps
- What
- The controversy involves the alteration of her official portrait at HHS to use her deadname instead of her legal name
- When
- The change occurred during the federal shutdown, with details reported by NPR
- Where
- The portrait is displayed in the Humphrey Building at the Department of Health and Human Services
- Why
- HHS leadership defended the change as part of their 'biological reality' approach, while Levine's spokesperson described it as an act of bigotry
- Name
- Admiral Rachel Leland Levine
- Birth Date
- October 28, 1957
- Education
- Harvard College, Tulane University School of Medicine
- Positions
- Pennsylvania Physician General, Pennsylvania Secretary of Health, US Assistant Secretary for Health
- Military Rank
- Four-Star Admiral in the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps
- Controversy
- Portrait nameplate changed to use deadname
- Current Status
- Former Assistant Secretary for Health (2021-2025)
