Gov. Wolf speaks out in support of health secretary after Bloomsburg dunk tank incident

Gov. Tom Wolf came to the defense of Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine Wednesday afternoon after her gender identity was again mocked in a public incident.

“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,” the statement reads. “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.”

The Bloomsburg Fair, a fair organization near Wilkes-Barre, came under fire this week after hosting an event over the weekend, during which a man dressed as a woman was placed in a dunk tank. In a now deleted Facebook post, the fair said the man resembled Levine.

“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,” the post said, followed by a smiley-face emoji. “Thanks everyone that came out to support our local fire companies.”

Public servants, advocacy groups and other social media users swiftly criticized the post and the fair itself. Fair officials later said that the man in the dunk tank, wearing a dress and a wig, did not intentionally dress up as Levine.

“The leadership of the Bloomsburg Fair knew they were catering to transphobic sentiments when they chose to impersonate Dr. Levine,” Rafael Álvarez Febo, executive director of the Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs, said in a statement. “Marginalized communities know when we are being targeted and will not be gaslit into thinking this was just about Dr. Levine’s position as secretary of health.”

Levine has gained attention during the covid-19 pandemic, while she and Wolf provide regular updates on the status of the virus in the state. Several transphobic incidents directed at Levine have occurred in the last four months, including comments made by public officials in meetings and on social media.

“Dr. Levine is a distinguished and accomplished public servant,” Wolf’s statement continues. “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.”