Achtenberg, Levi Appointed to Advisory Roles

President Barack Obama appointed two key gay rights leaders to administration posts on Wednesday.

Roberta Achtenberg was appointed a commissioner for the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. She is currently a corporate adviser in economic and workforce development policy, but is known for being the first openly gay public official appointed by a president to a federal position, having been assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under President Bill Clinton. She is also known for her work as a civil rights attorney and cofounder of the National Center for Lesbian Rights.

Jeffrey Levi has been appointed to join the Advisory Group on Prevention, Health Promotion, and Integrative and Public Health. From 1994 to 1996, Levi was deputy director of the White House Office of National AIDS policy. He was once head of what is now known as the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Levi is currently teaching and conducting research on HIV and AIDS at the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services.

"Our nation will be greatly served by the talent and expertise these individuals bring to their new roles," Obama said in a statement. "I am grateful they have agreed to serve in this Administration, and I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead."