The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
A first: US Senate confirms transgender doctor for key post
Voting mostly along party lines, the U.S. Senate has confirmed former Pennsylvania Health Secretary Rachel Levine to be the nation’s assistant secretary of health. She is the first openly transgender federal official to win Senate confirmation.
The final vote Wednesday was 52-48. Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine joined all Democrats in supporting Levine.
Levine had been serving as Pennsylvania’s top health as a Montgomery County Security Officer and has prior security and customer service experience. Deputy Cheng is an active member of the US Army Reserve, 424th Medical Battalion, and has served as a volunteer firefighter with Upper Merion Fire EMS and the Norriton Fire Engine Company.
Deputy Patrick Kivlin earned a bachelor’s degree in Communications from Bloomsburg University after graduating from Bucks County Community College and Central Bucks South High School in Warrington, Pa. He has experience in landscaping and customer service and has training in martial arts.
Serena Johnson of the MCSO Real Estate Division received a commendation letter of exceptional service for her role in getting the office’s online sheriff’s sales up and running.
Johnson helped research and test the program, which partnered with online auction firm official since 2017, and emerged as the public face of the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. She is expected to oversee Health and Human Services offices and programs across the U.S.
President Joe Biden cited Levine’s experience when he nominated her in January.
Levine “will bring the steady leadership and essential expertise we need to get people through this pandemic — no matter their zip code, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability,” Biden said.
Transgender-rights activists
Bid4Assets to bring the first online sheriff’s sale to the Commonwealth and has served as a model for neighboring counties looking to replicate its efficacy and success.
Lt. Joannne Lawlor, Sgt. Ronald Cole, Cpl. Timothy Metz and Cpl. Matthew Pokorny were recognized by Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve for their “efforts to support citizen warriors through a wide-range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families, and granting leaves of absence if needed.”
The recipients were nominated by currently serving National Guard member, Deputy Broades Sample.
As a former National have hailed Levine’s appointment as a historic breakthrough. Few trans people have ever held highlevel offices at the federal or state level.
However, the confirmation vote came at a challenging moment for the
Guardsman, Sheriff Kilkenny thanked Deputy Broades for the nominations and expressed his gratitude to the Command Staff recipients who reinforced the MCSO’s commitment to supporting members who serve in the National Guard.
“It’s really near and dear to my heart that the supervisors here in the Sheriff’s office continue their support for those who support us and our country through giving up their time for service through dedication” said Kilkenny.
“I spent 17 years (in the guard). I retired three years ago and spent a lot of drill weekends. I know what it’s like to get in at midnight or 1 o’clock on a Sunday night and have to get up for work after having transgender-rights movement as legislatures across the U.S. — primarily those under Republican control — are considering an unprecedented wave of bills targeting trans young people.
One type of bill, introduced in at least 25 states, seeks to ban trans girls and young women from participating in female scholastic sports.
One such measure already has been signed into law by Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, and similar measures have been sent to the governors in Tennessee, Arkansas and South Dakota.
Another variety of bill, been in the field as a guardsman and reservist that weekend. And without employers and a family that really helped me, (I) couldn’t have done it.”
Kilkenny and Chief Adam Berry also presented Donna Piergallini and Christina Larkin from the Center for Loss and Bereavement with a donation check of $700 from last year’s ‘No Shave November’ fundraiser in which deputies refrained from shaving for the month to raise money for the Montgomery County based non-profit.
The loss and bereavement center is also “near and dear” to the heart of the MCSO due to the wealth of support they provided to Deputy Bryan Lukens and his family who lost two children in a tragic fire in Dec. 2017.
The Lukens’ surviving daughter benefitted from attending Camp Millie, a special camp run by CLB staff, explained Kilkenny, who also lauded the Center for the counselling and educational services they provide to “individuals, families, and organizations during the most difficult of times, year in and year out.” introduced in at least 17 states, seeks to outlaw or restrict certain types of medical care for transgender youths. None of these measures has yet won final approval.
Issues related to transgender rights also are a major factor in Republican opposition to the proposed Equality Act, which would extend federal civil rights protections to LGBTQ people across the U.S. The measure has passed the Democratic-led House but likely needs some GOP votes to prevail in the Senate.
Former Houston Mayor Annise Parker, president of the LGBTQ Victory Institute, alluded to those developments as she welcomed the Senate’s vote on Levine.
“At a time when hateful politicians are weaponizing trans lives for their own perceived political gain, Dr. Levine’s confirmation lends focus to the contributions trans people make to our nation,” said Parker, whose organization recruits and supports LGBTQ political candidates.
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who voted no, had confronted Levine about medical treatments for transgender young people — include hormone treatment and puberty blockers — during her confirmation hearing Feb. 25.
“Do you believe that minors are capable of making such a life-changing decision as changing one’s sex?” Paul asked.
Levine replied that transgender medicine “is a very complex and nuanced field with robust research and standards of care” and said she would welcome discussing the issues with him.
In the past, Levine has asserted that hormone therapy and puberty-blocking drugs can be valuable med
“It’s really near and dear to my heart that the supervisors here in the Sheriff’s office continue their support for those who support us and our country through giving up their time for service through dedication”
— Montgomery County Sheriff Sean Kilkenny