Posted on 07/22/2020 2:24:58 PM PDT by lightman
Gov. Tom Wolf spoke out in defense of Dr. Rachel Levine Wednesday and assailed the Bloomsburg Fair fundraising event that mocked Pennsylvania’s health secretary.
Levine, a transgender woman, has been a target of slurs in recent months as she’s gained increasing visibility in the Wolf Administration’s efforts to combat the coronavirus. The governor denounced the “hate and transphobia” that has emerged in recent months.
The latest controversy emerged after photos were shared from at a fundraiser held at the Bloomsburg Fair. The fundraiser, which was organized to raise money for area fire companies, included a dunk tank where a man wore a dress and wig, and a post to the Bloomsburg Fair Association Facebook page indicated the man was meant to resemble Dr. Levine.
Wolf leveled sharp criticisms at the fair and urged Pennsylvania residents to speak out against discriminatory remarks aimed at the transgender community.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has brought hate and transphobia into the spotlight through relentless comments and slurs directed at Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine, who is a highly skilled, valued, and capable member of my administration and Transgender,” Wolf said in a statement Wednesday. “The derogatory incident involving the Bloomsburg Fair is the latest of these vile acts, which by extension impact Transgender people across the commonwealth and nation.”
I want to talk about the transphobic incident involving the Bloomsburg Fair.
This is the latest in a relentless series of vile slurs directed at Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine — a highly skilled and accomplished member of my administration. — Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) July 22, 2020
The Bloomsburg Fair Association’s Facebook post was deleted Monday, but it gained widespread attention and criticism.
“Dr. Levine? Thank you you were a hit and raised a lot of money for the local fire companies. Wonder why so many were trying to dunk you,” said the Bloomsburg Fair Association’s post, which included a smiley-face emoji.
Earlier this week, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr., D-Pa., said Levine “is owed an apology.” Bloomsburg University also issued a statement condemning the fair’s post.
Dr. Levine is an honorable public servant whose tireless work to keep PA safe and healthy has saved countless lives. She is owed an apology. https://t.co/VMzwuDn6Ue — Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) July 21, 2020
Fair officials initially said the man in the dunk tank, a local fire chief, intended to look like Marilyn Monroe. Then in a news conference Tuesday, fair officials apologized to Levine and the event’s sponsors and supporters, saying they meant no harm.
“A fellow dressed up in a dress to get people to throw balls at the dunk tank to raise money. It turned into where people thought we were offending Dr. Rachel Levine, and that was no intention at all,” Fair President Randy Karschner said in a report by the Associated Press.
Fair organizers called it “a serious lapse in judgment.”
Wolf said jokes aimed at mocking transgender individuals can be harmful.
“Hate has no place in Pennsylvania, even in the smallest transphobic joke, action or social media post,” Wolf said in his statement. “I’m calling upon all Pennsylvanians to speak out against hateful comments and acts, including the transphobia directed at Dr. Levine and all Transgender people in our great commonwealth.”
Rafael Álvarez Febo, executive director of the Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs, assailed the fair’s actions and spoke out on Levine’s behalf.
“The leadership of the Bloomsburg Fair knew they were catering to Transphobic sentiments when they chose to impersonate Dr. Levine,” Álvarez Febo said.
“Marginalized communities know when we are being targeted and will not be gas-lit into thinking this was just about Dr. Levine’s position as Secretary of Health,” the statement continued. “In times of crisis and pain LGBTQ individuals are united in pushing back against Transphobia of any kind. Commissioners believe that the health and safety of Pennsylvanians should not be undermined due to these toxic and personal attacks.”
The commission previously issued a statement of support of Levine last month in the wake of “vile and toxic transphobia.”
In a news conference Tuesday, Levine said she aims to concentrate on her job and dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.
“I am going to stay, no matter what happens, laser-focused on protecting the public health in Pennsylvania,” Levine said at an event at WellSpan York Hospital on Tuesday. “Our vision at the Pennsylvania Department of Health is a healthy Pennsylvania for all. And I’m going to do absolutely everything I can to achieve that, whether people agree with me, or if they don’t agree with me. Their health is still important to me.”
Wolf praised Levine for her work during the pandemic, even as she has endured “hate-fueled attacks.”
“Dr. Levine is a distinguished and accomplished public servant,” Wolf said. “She is committed to keeping Pennsylvanians safe and healthy, even those who direct hate-fueled attacks at her. I’m proud of the work she has done in her five years serving Pennsylvanians, and her success at leading our commonwealth during the COVID-19 crisis is a testament to her intelligence and work ethic
I am not homophobic. (afraid of myself, or being single) I'm just repulsed by disease-ridden, boy-raping whackjobs.
I am, however, hepatiphobic. If there's a queer waiter....time to go somewhere else.
Wolf said jokes aimed at mocking transgender individuals can be harmful.
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Would that have been more harmful or less harmful than Levine stuffing recovering covid patients into nursing homes, after removing his own mother to a hotel.
s/he/it ain’t no man; it’s a thing, now.
Once upom a time, transvestites were polished to perfection. Hair, makeup, and wardrobe were impeccable. The fact that they were so well laid out was usually the giveaway you were looking at an over the top man. Their intent was to be fabulous and they seemed to delight in being more feminine than femmes.
Now, any dumpy guy can throw on a wig, a frumpy dress, and stuff a couple cantaloupes down his shirt; and boom, he’s a she. They’re painful to regard, not fun, and deeply ludicrous. I can’t recall transvestites being mocked generally. My sense is that they earned their peace through their entertainment value. I can’t imagine anything but mockery for this generation of bewigged Uncle Fensters
“...a mental patient in charge of their health department...”
Indeed!
“Dr. Levine is an honorable public servant whose tireless work to keep PA safe and healthy has saved countless lives. “
I just can’t a trust shemale fudge-packer to keep anyone healthy. Can you?
~~~~~~~~
You mean moving his mother out of the nursing home killing field?
Exactly.
Adolescent Medicine?
Red Flag!
Exactly. I feel sorry for the mentally ill, but it is criminal to put someone like this in charge of sane people’s health.
He’s proud of the disastrous response. Not surprising.
Pigs don’t fly, and men can’t be women! One more thing...someone please take the lipstick off that pig!
Whoa! Had not looked at it like that.
^^^^^^^ THIS ^^^^^^^^
Well said.
“Adolescent Medicine? Red Flag!”
I’ll take Hormonal Treatments for $500, Alex.
I remember Bugs Bunny in drag working on Elmer...
I believe it also says he is the father of two but his ex wife doesn’t want anyone to know who they are.
Must be horrible for his children.
Wouldn’t want this freak around any children, let alone teenagers.
If I was transphobic that would mean I am afraid of Levine. I am not. How could I be afraid of a fat, out of shape, mentally I'll, low-IQ, dickless wonder? Wolf denouncing hate on the other hand is so hypocritical. I have no doubt in my mind that he hates all conservatives. He hates President Trump. He hates America.
Ridicule is a weapon. You should seriously consider using it and make sure leftists and other morons hear you. Levine is the enemy. Discourage others from siding with him and more importantly becoming one of them. At least make them think with their limited capacity minds that it is not a good idea to do anything a transgendered says. Ridicule because they are unable to comprehend rational arguments.
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