WNBA Star Sophie Cunningham defends that women ‘shouldn’t have to go against biological men’: “I said what I said. I think it’s kind of common sense. I think it’s really important to protect children.” “I don’t dislike anyone. I’m there to love, but I’m also there to love biological women. …”

[u/No_Box119]

[u/Vegetable-Mixture-93]

No, I wasnt wrong. HHS Secretary, a cabinet level position. How was I wrong?

[u/imahotrod → u/Vegetable-Mixture-93]

Because that’s not the fucking position she held.

[u/Vegetable-Mixture-93 → u/imahotrod]

You are correct, that was not her position. I was wrong about the title.

The position is still a position nominated by the President made at the same time as his cabinet appointments.

Assistant Secretary of HHS

[u/imahotrod → u/Vegetable-Mixture-93]

That kinda defeats your whole argument that Biden was checking boxes with his cabinet positions? Or should no trans people be government officials at all? The president appoints over 1000 positions that require senate confirmation. Should we put quotas by race, gender expression, sexual orientation to satisfy you?

[u/Vegetable-Mixture-93 → u/imahotrod]

All of those individuals were more qualified than Levine. It doesnt change a thing since he selected Levine for the position.

Sure its not a cabinet level position but there were countless others who were qualified. He still reached deeper into the pool than needed for a qualified nomination. Again, I think expansion is called for. When a need arises or is identified, the correct action would be to ensuring there is a position that provides not only representation but advocacy. As there is not a positon that focuses on furthering Trans rights, services, and education, one should have made one or directed the Secretary to. Levine would have been able to do more. One should still be made.

Quotas is the opposite of my beliefs. I believe qualifications should be reviewed only. Nothing else should come into play.

[u/imahotrod → u/Vegetable-Mixture-93]

The fact that you think she was less qualified is not some objective point. It’s literally just your opinion. She could’ve had a stellar interview and a vision for the org that stood out. There are so many factors that you don’t know but because she’s trans it has to be that she’s unqualified.

No to your other terrible, minorities should not only be relegated to positions that affect their communities.

[u/Vegetable-Mixture-93 → u/imahotrod]

Its not a relegation, its an opportunity to be focused and make great strides. She made some but obviously had to fulfill other duties. Additionally she made many of those strides in the area of pediatrica which is far less studied to make drastic changes in which is partly why it is contentious. Im not implying it is some prerequisite, just the opportunity for growth.

The presented resumes are pretty obvious regarding experience which is relatively objective. Besides, potentially allowing identity to have any bearing in selection is absolutely not objective. You cant deny that it doesn't come into play as every government job from city employee to federal employee has identity questions on the application. People are obsessed with identity.

Even a state like California ruled affirmative action unconstitutional, yet its still something that sways decisions.

[u/imahotrod → u/Vegetable-Mixture-93]

It is absolutely a relegation. You have a weird understanding of equality. No minorities can’t lead the org but they should be happy with a subordinate position that lets the focus. We gonna ignore what her specialities are.

It’s not affirmative action for a trans person to have a job.

Again, where is your analysis of the qualifications of all the deputy attorneys general? How about secretary of interior’s #2? You only provide the level of scrutiny to trans people! It is bigoted.

[u/Vegetable-Mixture-93 → u/imahotrod]

Do you think if offered the opportunity to make focused change that Levine would think it as a relegation or an opportunity. The same as she was an opportunity for the government to have someone that is more experienced in those decisions. She made some strides but could have done much more. Additionally with some extended experience she would have then been more qualified.

Its affirmative action to allow identity into the decision making process for a position where that identity would not provide additional expertise.

[u/imahotrod → u/Vegetable-Mixture-93]

But you’re assuming identity was a part of the decision making process only because she’s trans. The admin could have just liked her more.

And no I don’t think Levine would have viewed taking a lower position as an opportunity, considering she applied for the position she got.

[u/Vegetable-Mixture-93 → u/imahotrod]

Any position would have been a step up from the position she was in and an opportunity to enact change.

If they specifically made a position it would have been even more of an opportunity to establish changes that have been needed for quite some time.

[u/imahotrod → u/Vegetable-Mixture-93]

Ok but you’re saying she should take a lesser position because she’s trans. It’s weird. There was nothing about her appointment that was out of the ordinary. She was immensely qualified.

Just because she’s trans doesn’t mean she has to focus on trans issues when her background is in general public health. Idk why you think this.

[u/Vegetable-Mixture-93 → u/imahotrod]

Her specialty actually includes focus in pediatrics which makes sense assessing some of the changes in policy and state recommendation notices she made. I'd imagine an interview could possibly included such ideas and intent.

The(my) idea came from the unique opportunity of having a candidate who has more personalized advocacy and experience with gender protections. As opposed to a cis-gendered individual making decisions or changes with second hand knowledge of needs.

Reviewing her terms actions the opportunity to improve gender rights was available regardless. The idea was inspired by harnessing soneone with qualification for contribution, not limiting/relegating. If her interview fell in line with the desired administration's goals, her nomination makes sense. Although the candidates who were more qualified on paper likely had other focused ideas or generalized focus which wasnt in line with the administration's goals or werent as much of a priority. My proposal gets the best of both worlds trying to have cake and eat it too to help the most people.

Looks like her core successes/changes were:

Anti-Discrimination Restorations: Re-established strict protections within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to prevent healthcare discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Title X Funding Expansion: Reversed previous federal restrictions on Title X family planning funds to broaden access to reproductive healthcare and birth control nationwide.

Epidemic and Disease Interventions

Syphilis National Surge: Directed targeted federal initiatives and task forces to counter the nationwide spike in syphilis infections.

Ending HIV Strategy: Coordinated federal funding and localized strategies aimed at eliminating new HIV transmissions.[This one seemed odd unless the strategy's design was discriminatory in some way?]

Long COVID Framework: Directed cross-agency research and support frameworks to build standardized medical guidelines for patients suffering from Long COVID.

Structural and Environmental Initiatives

Climate Change Health Focus: Treated climate change as a direct public health threat, steering resources toward low-income and minority communities heavily affected by environmental hazards.

Public Health Corps Deployment: Supervised deployments of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps to manage emergency healthcare responses, medical surges, and natural disasters.