CDC In Chaos: HRC “Deeply Grateful For Courage In This Moment”

by Laurel Powell •

Centers for Disease Control is rocked by resignations and firings, ousting dedicated public servants - including Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, acclaimed LGBTQ+ health advocate

WASHINGTON — Today, the Human Rights Campaign,the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, responded to mass resignations of dedicated public health officials at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), including the firing of CDC director Susan Monarez and the resignation of LGBTQ+ health advocate and Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Dr. Demetre Daskalakis:

For eight months, the LGBTQ+ community has watched as the Trump administration, and HHS Secretary Kennedy, has taken a blowtorch to the public health framework that has helped improve our health outcomes over the past decades. The recent firings and resignations of some of the nation’s top medical leaders is an urgent wake-up call for America’s public health. This is a five alarm fire.

Dr. Demetre Daskalakis became a widely recognized voice for LGBTQ+ community health through a lifetime of service, especially on ending the HIV epidemic and, most recently, through his tailored outreach during the Mpox outbreak a few years ago. His work helped people stay safe and healthy, while recognizing the dignity of their life. He represents the best of what we could ask for from public health officials in times of both crisis and calm. We are deeply grateful for his courage in this moment as well, and for putting the health of the American people above himself. Thank you, Dr. Demetre.

Matt Rose, Senior Public Policy Advocate at the Human Rights Campaign

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Topics:
Health & Aging