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State & Regional News

Pa. Health Secretary stands up to transphobia and harassment

rachel-levine
Commonwealth Media Services: Natalie Kolb
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Pennsylvania Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine speaks during a press conference, announcing the 96th presumptive positive case of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Pennsylvania, inside PEMA headquarters on Tuesday, March 17, 2020.

HARRISBURG, Pa. - State Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine, a transgender woman who’s been at the helm of Pennsylvania’s response to COVID-19, has largley deflected incidents of transphobia directed at her.

But recent events - including a man dressed as the secretary in a dunk tank at a Bloomsburg carnival, and a derogatory menu item named after Levine at a restaurant in Tioga County - changed that.

Levine called on all Pennsylvanians to take a stand against transphobia and promote acceptance.

As for the personal impact, Levine says she has, quote, “no room in her heart for hate,” and will continue working to help all Pennsylvanians.