This is a “historic” first, in the words of the President-elect of the United States.
Joe Biden announced on Tuesday that he was appointing Deputy Minister of Health Rachel Levine, a transgender expert in pediatrics and psychiatry.
"It represents a historic choice and extremely qualified to help lead the health policies of our administration," wrote Joe Biden, who will become the 46th President of the United States on Wednesday.
Rachel Levine "will bring the strong leadership and the crucial expertise we need to guide people through this pandemic, no matter where they are from, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability," said he added.
The Democrat has promised to shift into high gear to fight the Covid-19 pandemic in the United States, the most affected country in the world with 24 million cases and nearly 400,000 deaths.
He chose California Attorney General Xavier Becerra as Minister of Health.
Pennsylvania Director of Health
Now Pennsylvania Health Director and University Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, Rachel Levine "is about to be the first openly transgender federal official to be confirmed by the US Senate," the team said. by Joe Biden in a press release.
And to point out that the pediatrician has already been confirmed "three times" to her functions by the Senate of Pennsylvania, controlled by Republicans.
Rachel Levine is a graduate of Harvard College and Tulane University School of Medicine, according to her official biography.
In addition to his work with children and adolescents, Levine's expertise includes work on the opioid crisis, medical marijuana, eating disorders, and LGBT medicine.
Democrats will take control of the upper house this week, which is due to confirm presidential appointments.
Measures deemed discriminatory by Trump
After the announcement of his presidential victory on November 7, Joe Biden made an unprecedented mention of transgender people.
“I am proud of the coalition we have formed together, the largest and most diverse in history.
Democrats, Republicans and Independents.
Progressive, moderate and conservative.
Young and old.
Urban, suburban and rural.
Gay, straight and transgender.
Whites, Latinos, Asians, Native Americans and African Americans, ”he said in his stronghold of Wilmington.
Outgoing President Donald Trump has adopted several controversial measures concerning transgender people.
Returning to an emblematic announcement of his Democratic predecessor Barack Obama, he notably announced in 2017 his decision to ban them from serving in the army, highlighting “the burden of enormous medical costs” and “disruptions”.
Morning essentials newsletter
A tour of the news to start the day
Subscribe to the newsletterAll newsletters
In early 2018, the Pentagon finally authorized the enlistment of transgender people who had not changed their sex, nor intended to do so, but on condition that they served under their biological sex.
Federal courts had suspended this new policy, deeming it "similar" to the previous one.
