quote:

Originally posted by Mike Mitchell:

quote:

Originally posted by tomahawker:
Admiral and US Asst. Secretary of Health

Pretty impressive career.

Rachel Leland Levine (/ləˈviːn/ lə-VEEN; born October 28, 1957)[1] is an American pediatrician who has served as the United States assistant secretary for health since March 26, 2021.[2] She is also an admiral in the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.

Levine is a professor of pediatrics and psychiatry at the Penn State College of Medicine, and previously served as the Pennsylvania physician general from 2015 to 2017 and as secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health from 2017 to 2021.[3] Levine is one of only a few openly transgender government officials in the United States,[4] and is the first to hold an office that requires Senate confirmation.[5][6] On October 19, 2021, Levine became the first openly transgender four-star officer in the nation's eight uniformed services.[7]

Levine was named as one of USA Today's women of the year in 2022, which recognizes women who have made a significant impact on society.[8]

Early life and education
Born on October 28, 1957, Levine is originally from Wakefield, Massachusetts.[1][9] Her parents, Melvin and Lillian Levine, were both lawyers.[10] Her sister, Bonnie Levine, is four years older.[10] Levine is Jewish and grew up attending Hebrew school.[11] Levine earned a high school diploma from Belmont Hill School in Belmont, Massachusetts.[12]

Levine graduated from Harvard College and the Tulane University School of Medicine, completing a residency in pediatrics and a postdoctoral fellowship in adolescent medicine at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in Manhattan, New York.[13]

Career
After completing her training in pediatrics and psychiatry at New York City's Mount Sinai Hospital, Levine moved from Manhattan to central Pennsylvania in 1993 where she joined the faculty of the Penn State College of Medicine and the staff at Penn State Hershey Medical Center.[14] During her tenure, she created Penn State Hershey Medical Center's Division of Adolescent Medicine and the Penn State Hershey Eating Disorders Program. She was in charge of the latter when she was nominated for the position of Pennsylvania physician general in 2015.[14]

Pennsylvania Department of Health
In 2015, Levine was nominated by Pennsylvania Governor-elect Tom Wolf to serve as Pennsylvania's physician general. In one of her most lauded actions as physician general, Levine signed an order allowing law enforcement officers to carry naloxone.[15]

In July 2017, Governor Wolf appointed Levine as Secretary of Health, and she was unanimously confirmed by the Pennsylvania State Senate.

COVID-19 response

Levine briefing COVID-19 measures with Gov. Tom Wolf at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in June 2020
During 2020 and until January 23, 2021, Levine led the public health response on COVID-19 in Pennsylvania as the state secretary of health. She worked closely on a daily basis with the FEMA director and led a daily press briefing. Along with Gov. Tom Wolf, Levine faced criticism from a few Republican leaders over her handling of the pandemic, particularly with regard to nursing home patients.[16]

On March 18, 2020, Levine directed Pennsylvania nursing homes to admit new patients, including stable patients recovering from the COVID-19 virus who were released from the hospital.[17] Despite warnings from nursing home trade groups that such policies could unnecessarily cost more lives, there is no evidence that Levine placed COVID-positive patients in nursing home facilities or that her decision resulted in excess death among the elderly.[16] Levine was also criticized for mishandling COVID data reporting[18] and insufficiently addressing the long-standing oversight problems in Pennsylvania nursing homes that were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.[19] Levine faced further scrutiny in May 2020, when she moved her own mother out of a nursing home. In defending the move, Levine said, "My mother requested, and my sister and I, as her children, complied," describing her mother as "more than competent to make her own decisions."[20] These issues were momentarily highlighted by Republican lawmakers after President Biden nominated Levine for Assistant Secretary for Health. However, Levine's leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic has been widely praised as calm and steadfast by many Pennsylvanians and local media outlets.[21]

Biden administration

Levine with U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra after being sworn in as assistant secretary for health, March 27, 2021
On February 13, 2021, President Joe Biden formally nominated Levine to serve as Assistant Secretary for Health.[22] Her confirmation hearing with the Senate HELP Committee took place on February 25. On March 17, the committee voted 13–9 to advance her nomination for a full Senate vote.[23] On March 24, the Senate voted 52–48, with all Democrats and two Republicans — Susan Collins from Maine and Lisa Murkowski from Alaska — joining all members of the Senate Democratic Caucus to confirm her nomination.[24] Levine is the first openly transgender person to hold an office that requires Senate confirmation.[25]

On October 19, 2021, Levine was commissioned as a four-star admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, becoming the first openly transgender four-star officer in any of the United States uniformed services as well as the first female four-star admiral in the Commissioned Corps.[26]

LGBTQ health disparities
Shortly after her confirmation, Levine told NBC News that LGBTQ youth are topmost in her mind when it comes to addressing health disparities in the United States.[27] She cited bullying, suicide, discriminatory policies, and isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic as pressing issues among LGBTQ youth. Levine has also expressed concerns about vaccine hesitancy among LGBTQ youth who are more likely to experience medical distrust and less likely to seek medical care.[28]

During an April 2022 speech at Texas Christian University, Levine criticized "disturbing - and frankly discriminatory - laws and actions" that many states have implemented that affect the lives of LGBTQ youth.[29] In an interview with NPR, she cited a range of policies, including Florida's "Don't Say Gay" bill and Texas' push to investigate parents who provide gender-affirming care to their transgender children.[30] Arguing that such policies are based on politics rather than public health, Levine encouraged people to contact the Office for Civil Rights when they feel discriminated against and vowed to provide support to those who contact her office.[29]

Personal life

Levine and White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre hold a Pride flag in 2022
Levine has two children.[31] She transitioned from male to female in 2011.[32] Levine married Martha Peaslee Levine in 1988[33][31] during Levine's last year of medical school[10][4] and divorced in 2013.[34][4] She has served as a board member of Equality Pennsylvania, an LGBT rights organization.[4]

Honors
Levine was named as one of USA Today's Women of the Year in 2022.[8]

quote:

Originally posted by skb:
You sure seem to collect quit a few pictures of trannies. Everybody needs a hobby I guess......

quote:

Originally posted by tomahawker:

quote:

Originally posted by skb:
You sure seem to collect quit a few pictures of trannies. Everybody needs a hobby I guess......

They don’t like this anymore than the rest of us. You know it’s true when they try to insult you with the very thing they “claim” to support.

quote:

Originally posted by Mike Mitchell:

quote:

Originally posted by Huvius:

I'm not saying they're analogous Mike.
I'm saying that the current discussion has grown to the point that it deserves honest examination even if that examination reveals it to be problematic.
Where is my misinformation and outright lies?

I just pointed it out. You compare trans people to murderers, drug dealers and sex traffickers. The OP implies and you apparently accept the idea that trans people are out there regularly schooling kids to be trans.

Both of those assertions are misinformation and/or outright lies.

quote:

Originally posted by Huvius:

quote:

Originally posted by Mike Mitchell:

quote:

Originally posted by Huvius:

I'm not saying they're analogous Mike.
I'm saying that the current discussion has grown to the point that it deserves honest examination even if that examination reveals it to be problematic.
Where is my misinformation and outright lies?

I just pointed it out. You compare trans people to murderers, drug dealers and sex traffickers. The OP implies and you apparently accept the idea that trans people are out there regularly schooling kids to be trans.

Both of those assertions are misinformation and/or outright lies.

FFS! I'm in no way comparing them!
I could have just as easily said that I doubt that you know any sponge divers, worm farmers or knocker uppers but I went way out on a limb to suggest that you don't cohort with criminals - may have been my mistake...

As for your concern about "people out there regularly schooling kids to be trans", it's not just in the education system but in the medical community as well.

https://nypost.com/2023/03/08/...status-from-parents/

https://nypost.com/2021/06/30/...the-genders-of-kids/

I know you don't like the NYP but they are just easy to search.

quote:

Originally posted by Thomas "Ty" Beaham:
If any of you find yourself on the fence with this subject please take the time to read the
entire article I just posted.

The Author is admittedly further left than Bernie Sanders.

I promise, it will raise a few eyebrows.


.

quote:

Originally posted by Mike Mitchell:

quote:

Originally posted by Huvius:
Mike, I bet you don't know any drug dealers, murderers or sex traffickers either.
Does that mean they don't exist?
They don't concern you at all?

It's not at all about an agenda "based on intolerance and hatred".
It is about observing a situation and asking honest questions about why that situation exists. Whether that situation is appropriate for particular people and what outcomes (good and bad) are the likely results.

For instance, if the incidence of suicide and thoughts of self harm are so much more prevalent in the trans community, why would we want to encourage more kids to join in?

Ones likelihood to be an alcoholic is recognized to have a genetic link. Perhaps something one could be born with, right?
That doesn't mean we should have 4th Grade mixology lessons though does it.

The analogy is bizarre and has no application that I can understand.

Statistically speaking, there aren't that many drug dealers, murderers or sex traffickers either. And, it is incredibly telling that you pick those types and use them in a way that you think is analagous to trans people. Unbelievable.

Nor do I deny the existence of transgenders. Don't know why you would post that up.

Nor do I see anybody anywhere encouraging kids to become transgender. Point me to something that supports the assertion that anybody, anywhere on the face of the planet is doing that.

This is a perfect example of what I just posted. A bunch of misinformation or outright lies that are touted as a reason to discriminate against a group of people who are different than you.

quote:

Originally posted by regor:

quote:

Originally posted by Mike Mitchell:

quote:

Originally posted by Huvius:
Mike, I bet you don't know any drug dealers, murderers or sex traffickers either.
Does that mean they don't exist?
They don't concern you at all?

It's not at all about an agenda "based on intolerance and hatred".
It is about observing a situation and asking honest questions about why that situation exists. Whether that situation is appropriate for particular people and what outcomes (good and bad) are the likely results.

For instance, if the incidence of suicide and thoughts of self harm are so much more prevalent in the trans community, why would we want to encourage more kids to join in?

Ones likelihood to be an alcoholic is recognized to have a genetic link. Perhaps something one could be born with, right?
That doesn't mean we should have 4th Grade mixology lessons though does it.

The analogy is bizarre and has no application that I can understand.

Statistically speaking, there aren't that many drug dealers, murderers or sex traffickers either. And, it is incredibly telling that you pick those types and use them in a way that you think is analagous to trans people. Unbelievable.

Nor do I deny the existence of transgenders. Don't know why you would post that up.

Nor do I see anybody anywhere encouraging kids to become transgender. Point me to something that supports the assertion that anybody, anywhere on the face of the planet is doing that.

This is a perfect example of what I just posted. A bunch of misinformation or outright lies that are touted as a reason to discriminate against a group of people who are different than you.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/ne...telling-parents.html



EXCLUSIVE: The trans school conspiracy exposed: Midwest teachers trade tips on 'subversively and quietly' transitioning kids without telling their parents, and skirting Republican gender laws, in workshop funded by federal government

DailyMail.com gained access to a private online meet of Midwestern teachers

Many parents would be horrified by what they said about trans students

They discussed keeping gender changes a secret from worried moms and dads


You're welcome Mikey.

~Ann

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:
Is this ok for YOUR children?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy7Oj4fSzuI

quote:

And, it is incredibly telling that you pick those types and use them in a way that you think is analagous to trans people. Unbelievable.

quote:

Originally posted by Aspen Hill Adventures:

quote:

Originally posted by regor:

quote:

Originally posted by Mike Mitchell:

quote:

Originally posted by Huvius:
Mike, I bet you don't know any drug dealers, murderers or sex traffickers either.
Does that mean they don't exist?
They don't concern you at all?

It's not at all about an agenda "based on intolerance and hatred".
It is about observing a situation and asking honest questions about why that situation exists. Whether that situation is appropriate for particular people and what outcomes (good and bad) are the likely results.

For instance, if the incidence of suicide and thoughts of self harm are so much more prevalent in the trans community, why would we want to encourage more kids to join in?

Ones likelihood to be an alcoholic is recognized to have a genetic link. Perhaps something one could be born with, right?
That doesn't mean we should have 4th Grade mixology lessons though does it.

The analogy is bizarre and has no application that I can understand.

Statistically speaking, there aren't that many drug dealers, murderers or sex traffickers either. And, it is incredibly telling that you pick those types and use them in a way that you think is analagous to trans people. Unbelievable.

Nor do I deny the existence of transgenders. Don't know why you would post that up.

Nor do I see anybody anywhere encouraging kids to become transgender. Point me to something that supports the assertion that anybody, anywhere on the face of the planet is doing that.

This is a perfect example of what I just posted. A bunch of misinformation or outright lies that are touted as a reason to discriminate against a group of people who are different than you.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/ne...telling-parents.html



EXCLUSIVE: The trans school conspiracy exposed: Midwest teachers trade tips on 'subversively and quietly' transitioning kids without telling their parents, and skirting Republican gender laws, in workshop funded by federal government

DailyMail.com gained access to a private online meet of Midwestern teachers

Many parents would be horrified by what they said about trans students

They discussed keeping gender changes a secret from worried moms and dads


You're welcome Mikey.

Awful.

quote:

Originally posted by LHeym500:
Let us discuss a real danger to children.


Trans people are 4 times more likely to experience violent victimization than cis/conforming people.

https://williamsinstitute.law....trans-press-release/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8344346/.

quote:

Originally posted by skb:
Did you see the numbers released this week?

https://www.yahoo.com/entertai...n-not-190659490.html

This whole issue is nothing but political. I have yet to see a single poster on this board support GAS for minors. Some, like myself, feel it is none of my business how others raise their children. I also support those of you so motivated to go out and get the law changed. Delaying surgery until 18 is certainly not something I am opposed too.

Who the hell is JRE? Some right wing political commentator who works hard to keep the audience agitated I'm sure.

quote:

Originally posted by regor:

quote:

Originally posted by Mike Mitchell:

quote:

Originally posted by tomahawker:
Admiral and US Asst. Secretary of Health

Pretty impressive career.

Rachel Leland Levine (/ləˈviːn/ lə-VEEN; born October 28, 1957)[1] is an American pediatrician who has served as the United States assistant secretary for health since March 26, 2021.[2] She is also an admiral in the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.

Levine is a professor of pediatrics and psychiatry at the Penn State College of Medicine, and previously served as the Pennsylvania physician general from 2015 to 2017 and as secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health from 2017 to 2021.[3] Levine is one of only a few openly transgender government officials in the United States,[4] and is the first to hold an office that requires Senate confirmation.[5][6] On October 19, 2021, Levine became the first openly transgender four-star officer in the nation's eight uniformed services.[7]

Levine was named as one of USA Today's women of the year in 2022, which recognizes women who have made a significant impact on society.[8]

Early life and education
Born on October 28, 1957, Levine is originally from Wakefield, Massachusetts.[1][9] Her parents, Melvin and Lillian Levine, were both lawyers.[10] Her sister, Bonnie Levine, is four years older.[10] Levine is Jewish and grew up attending Hebrew school.[11] Levine earned a high school diploma from Belmont Hill School in Belmont, Massachusetts.[12]

Levine graduated from Harvard College and the Tulane University School of Medicine, completing a residency in pediatrics and a postdoctoral fellowship in adolescent medicine at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in Manhattan, New York.[13]

Career
After completing her training in pediatrics and psychiatry at New York City's Mount Sinai Hospital, Levine moved from Manhattan to central Pennsylvania in 1993 where she joined the faculty of the Penn State College of Medicine and the staff at Penn State Hershey Medical Center.[14] During her tenure, she created Penn State Hershey Medical Center's Division of Adolescent Medicine and the Penn State Hershey Eating Disorders Program. She was in charge of the latter when she was nominated for the position of Pennsylvania physician general in 2015.[14]

Pennsylvania Department of Health
In 2015, Levine was nominated by Pennsylvania Governor-elect Tom Wolf to serve as Pennsylvania's physician general. In one of her most lauded actions as physician general, Levine signed an order allowing law enforcement officers to carry naloxone.[15]

In July 2017, Governor Wolf appointed Levine as Secretary of Health, and she was unanimously confirmed by the Pennsylvania State Senate.

COVID-19 response

Levine briefing COVID-19 measures with Gov. Tom Wolf at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in June 2020
During 2020 and until January 23, 2021, Levine led the public health response on COVID-19 in Pennsylvania as the state secretary of health. She worked closely on a daily basis with the FEMA director and led a daily press briefing. Along with Gov. Tom Wolf, Levine faced criticism from a few Republican leaders over her handling of the pandemic, particularly with regard to nursing home patients.[16]

On March 18, 2020, Levine directed Pennsylvania nursing homes to admit new patients, including stable patients recovering from the COVID-19 virus who were released from the hospital.[17] Despite warnings from nursing home trade groups that such policies could unnecessarily cost more lives, there is no evidence that Levine placed COVID-positive patients in nursing home facilities or that her decision resulted in excess death among the elderly.[16] Levine was also criticized for mishandling COVID data reporting[18] and insufficiently addressing the long-standing oversight problems in Pennsylvania nursing homes that were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.[19] Levine faced further scrutiny in May 2020, when she moved her own mother out of a nursing home. In defending the move, Levine said, "My mother requested, and my sister and I, as her children, complied," describing her mother as "more than competent to make her own decisions."[20] These issues were momentarily highlighted by Republican lawmakers after President Biden nominated Levine for Assistant Secretary for Health. However, Levine's leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic has been widely praised as calm and steadfast by many Pennsylvanians and local media outlets.[21]

Biden administration

Levine with U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra after being sworn in as assistant secretary for health, March 27, 2021
On February 13, 2021, President Joe Biden formally nominated Levine to serve as Assistant Secretary for Health.[22] Her confirmation hearing with the Senate HELP Committee took place on February 25. On March 17, the committee voted 13–9 to advance her nomination for a full Senate vote.[23] On March 24, the Senate voted 52–48, with all Democrats and two Republicans — Susan Collins from Maine and Lisa Murkowski from Alaska — joining all members of the Senate Democratic Caucus to confirm her nomination.[24] Levine is the first openly transgender person to hold an office that requires Senate confirmation.[25]

On October 19, 2021, Levine was commissioned as a four-star admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, becoming the first openly transgender four-star officer in any of the United States uniformed services as well as the first female four-star admiral in the Commissioned Corps.[26]

LGBTQ health disparities
Shortly after her confirmation, Levine told NBC News that LGBTQ youth are topmost in her mind when it comes to addressing health disparities in the United States.[27] She cited bullying, suicide, discriminatory policies, and isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic as pressing issues among LGBTQ youth. Levine has also expressed concerns about vaccine hesitancy among LGBTQ youth who are more likely to experience medical distrust and less likely to seek medical care.[28]

During an April 2022 speech at Texas Christian University, Levine criticized "disturbing - and frankly discriminatory - laws and actions" that many states have implemented that affect the lives of LGBTQ youth.[29] In an interview with NPR, she cited a range of policies, including Florida's "Don't Say Gay" bill and Texas' push to investigate parents who provide gender-affirming care to their transgender children.[30] Arguing that such policies are based on politics rather than public health, Levine encouraged people to contact the Office for Civil Rights when they feel discriminated against and vowed to provide support to those who contact her office.[29]

Personal life

Levine and White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre hold a Pride flag in 2022
Levine has two children.[31] She transitioned from male to female in 2011.[32] Levine married Martha Peaslee Levine in 1988[33][31] during Levine's last year of medical school[10][4] and divorced in 2013.[34][4] She has served as a board member of Equality Pennsylvania, an LGBT rights organization.[4]

Honors
Levine was named as one of USA Today's Women of the Year in 2022.[8]