WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the United States Senate made history by confirming Dr. Rachel Levine as the new Assistant Secretary at the Department of Health and Human Services. NCLR applauds the historic and bipartisan vote, which makes Dr. Levine the  first openly transgender person to be confirmed by the Senate.

A statement from NCLR Legal Director Shannon Minter:

“The bipartisan vote to confirm Dr. Levine as our nation’s next Assistant Secretary of Health shows how far our country has come in recognizing that being transgender has nothing to do with a person’s abilities.  Dr. Levine has a long and distinguished history of public service. She is well-qualified for this important position, and our nation will be stronger for having someone of her caliber helping to lead our national health agenda.

As a transgender person, I am encouraged by her success and proud to see so many transgender people stepping up to dedicate their experience and expertise to public service.  I look forward to the day when every young person can grow up knowing that every path is open to them and that they will not be held back or limited simply because of who they are.”

Shannon Minter, NCLR Legal Director

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The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) is a national legal organization committed to advancing the human and civil rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education. Since its founding, NCLR has maintained a longstanding commitment to racial and economic justice and the LGBTQ community’s most vulnerable. https://www.nclrights.org