HHS changes the name on transgender health leader’s portrait: What it means now

Saturday, December 6, 2025 -In a move that has stirred sharp criticism and raised serious concerns about respect and representation, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) quietly changed the name on the official portrait of Rachel Levine — the highest‑ranking openly transgender federal official during her tenure — replacing her legally valid name with her prior name under the glass of the framed photograph.

Supporters of Levine are calling the change a deliberate act of “erasure,” characterizing it as a form of “pettiness and bigotry.” The action took place during the recent federal shutdown — a period when many government operations were frozen — raising questions about its timing, justification, and procedures.

Critics argue this isn’t simply an administrative detail — it’s a symbolic reversal of recognition, undermining progress for transgender visibility and inclusion at the highest levels of government. 

With mounting backlash, many are demanding that HHS restore Levine’s correct name on the portrait and come clean about who authorized the change and why. The controversy isn’t just about a nameplate. It’s about respect, dignity, and what leaders say about whom they value.