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The US Senate has confirmed former Pennsylvania Health Secretary Rachel Levine to be the nation’s assistant secretary of health. She is the first openly transgender federal official to win Senate confirmation. On Wednesday, the final vote was 52-48. Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins joined all Democrats in supporting Levine. Point to be noted that Levine had been serving as Pennsylvania’s top health official since 2017 and emerged as the public face of the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. She is expected to oversee Health and Human Services offices and programs across the US. President Joe Biden cited Levine’s experience when he nominated her in January 2021. Biden said, “Levine will bring the steady leadership and essential expertise we need to get people through this pandemic, no matter their zip code, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability”.

Transgender-rights activists have hailed Levine’s appointment as a historic breakthrough. However, the confirmation vote came at a challenging moment for the transgender-rights movement as legislatures across the US. One type of bill, introduced in at least 25 states is looking to ban transgender girls and young women from participating in female scholastic sports. One such measure already has been signed into law by Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, and similar measures have been sent to the governors in Tennessee, Arkansas, and South Dakota. Another variety of bills, introduced in at least 17 states is looking to outlaw or restrict certain types of medical care for transgender youths. But, none of these measures has yet won final approval. Issues related to transgender rights also are a major factor in Republican opposition to the proposed Equality Act.

It would extend federal civil rights protections to LGBTQ people across the US. The measure has passed the Democratic-led House but likely needs some GOP votes to prevail in the Senate. Former Houston Mayor Annise Parker said, “At a time when hateful politicians are weaponizing trans lives for their own perceived political gain, Dr. Levine’s confirmation lends focus to the contributions trans people make to our nation”. Parker’s organization recruits and supports LGBTQ political candidates. Senator Rand Paul didn’t vote and confronted Levine about medical treatments for transgender young people including hormone treatment and puberty blockers. Paul said, “Do you believe that minors are capable of making such a life-changing decision as changing one’s sex”? Levine replied that transgender medicine is a very complex and nuanced field with robust research and standards of care.