A video of Dr. Rachel Levine, a transgender federal health official, speaking about how her own adult transition allowed her to become a father has recently resurfaced on social media, coinciding with Levine's strong stance in favor of sex reassignment procedures for minors.
According to the Daily Mail, Levine, the assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has no regrets about deciding to transition at a later age.
In 2011, at the age of 54, Levine started the process of transitioning, having been married to Martha Peaslee Levine for 23 years and with two grown-up children.
Levine remarked in a 2019 interview that their transition had taken a decade, which is much longer than the norm. Despite this, they had no regrets, as they would not have been able to have their children had they transitioned earlier. They then stated that they couldn't imagine life without them.
Dr. Rachel Levine has mentioned that the Biden administration provides its most prominent backing for gender-affirming care for minors.
— Daily Mail (United States) (@DailyMail) March 17th, 2023
Levine commented that adolescents nowadays are not eager to wait for such a prolonged period. He further stated, “If I were 15 today, I don't think I would be willing to wait that long.”
On Thursday, Levine highlighted the Biden administration's endorsement of “gender affirming” treatment for minors, as previously noted.
The HHS official declared during a podcast hosted by Connecticut Children’s Hospital that the kids they serve, their families, and everyone else have high-level backing from the federal government.
Levine emphasized, “President Biden is behind you, and as the Assistant Secretary for Health, I will also stand with you. I bring up this issue wherever I go to raise awareness.”
Levin vehemently denounced those who criticize medical practitioners who advise minor gender changes, referring to such criticism as being "prompted by ideological and political motives."
The HHS official expressed a hopeful view, saying, “I’m an optimist and I choose to stay that way. It wasn't beneficial in 2022 so the upcoming two years may be tough, but I'm optimistic that the situation won't be as divisive after that.”
A children's book titled 'She Persisted' will include a story about Rachel Levine, who identifies as transgender.