LGBTQ Policy

HHS confirmed it changed the official portrait label of former Assistant Secretary for Health Adm. Rachel L. Levine at its Washington headquarters to display her previous name during the recent federal shutdown. In a statement to NPR, HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon said the department aims to ensure information reflects 'gold standard science' and committed to 'reversing harmful policies enacted by Levine' and to having 'biological reality' guide public health, while an HHS staffer criticized the move as disrespectful and Levine declined to engage beyond noting her service.