Story perspectives

Admiral Levine Condemns Altered Portrait as Anti-Trans Bigotry

12/8/2025

Summary

Story summary

Admiral Rachel Levine of the Department of Health and Human Services had her official portrait altered to replace her name with her deadname.
Levine, the first openly transgender federal official confirmed by the Senate, criticized the action as petty.
Adrian Shanker, the former deputy assistant secretary, condemned the move as bigotry, linking it to anti-trans policies under the Trump administration.
The change occurred during a federal shutdown, raising procedural concerns.

History

Historical Context

In 2017, President Trump announced a ban on transgender individuals serving in the military, affecting over 15,000 service members. This policy reversed the 2016 Obama administration directive allowing open service. The ongoing discrimination faced by transgender individuals, highlighted by Admiral Rachel Levine's appointment in 2021, underscores the persistent challenges for the LGBTQ+ community in achieving equal rights within federal institutions.

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Story summary

Admiral Rachel Levine of the Department of Health and Human Services had her official portrait altered to replace her name with her deadname.
Levine, the first openly transgender federal official confirmed by the Senate, criticized the action as petty.
Adrian Shanker, the former deputy assistant secretary, condemned the move as bigotry, linking it to anti-trans policies under the Trump administration.
The change occurred during a federal shutdown, raising procedural concerns.

1 / 2