Capital Pride Honored LGBTQ Leaders In A Powerful Ceremony
metroweekly.comOn Friday, June 2, the Capital Pride Alliance honored LGBTQ leaders and trailblazers at its annual Capital Pride Honors ceremony, marking the start of Pride in the nation’s capital.Receiving the “Paving the Way” award was Admiral Rachel Levine, the U.S.
Assistant Secretary of Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the first out transgender government official to be confirmed by the U.S.
Senate.In her remarks, Levine, who has been attacked by critics as much for her gender identity as her performance in office, invoked the theme of this year’s Pride — “Peace, Love, Revolution” — and urged attendees to be catalysts for positive change.
She also touted the progress achieved for the LGBTQ community under the Biden administration.“From day one, the Biden-Harris administration has prioritized equity and equality for the LGBTQ community, and we are making progress, including [the Food and Drug Administration’s] new blood donation guidance, [the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s] new report online in evidence about the harm of conversion therapy, and my office’s work to end the HIV exclusion in the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps,” Levine said.Levine also urged those present to stand up against attacks on marginalized communities, including transgender youth and trans women of color.“Right now, thirty states in our United States of America have passed ideologically- and politically-motivated laws that restrict access to best practice medicine.
