Conservative outrage erupted following President Joe Biden’s announcement proclaiming Sunday, March 31, the Transgender Day of Visibility. Fox News host Howard Kurtz defended Biden, pointing out that the day has always been March 31st and occasionally coincides with Easter. LGBTQ+ advocacy groups also supported Biden, emphasizing the importance of visibility for transgender Americans while recognizing the importance of Easter for many. Despite the backlash, Biden’s administration stood by the proclamation, emphasizing the president’s commitment to upholding the dignity and freedoms of all Americans.
Kurtz highlighted that Biden, a practicing Catholic, did not choose the date for the Transgender Day of Visibility. He noted that the criticism failed to acknowledge that the holiday has always fallen on March 31st and occasionally coincides with Easter due to the way the date is determined. LGBTQ+ advocacy groups echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the criticism was a distraction from the real issues facing transgender Americans. Despite the backlash, Biden’s administration stood by the proclamation, affirming the president’s commitment to LGBTQ+ rights and equality for all Americans.
Conservatives, including former President Donald Trump’s national press secretary, condemned Biden’s proclamation, accusing him of disrespecting Easter and assaulting the Christian faith. The White House pushback the criticism, with White House deputy press secretary emphasizing Biden’s commitment to bringing people together and upholding the dignity of every American. Despite the backlash, Biden has championed LGBTQ+ rights during his time in office and called on Congress to pass the Equality Act to protect the civil rights of all LGBTQI+ Americans. The proclamation comes as hundreds of anti-LGBTQ+ bills were introduced in state legislatures across the country in 2023, highlighting the ongoing discrimination facing the LGBTQ+ community.
Overall, the controversy surrounding Biden’s proclamation of the Transgender Day of Visibility on Easter Sunday underscores the ongoing division in American society regarding LGBTQ+ rights and religious freedoms. While conservatives criticized the timing of the announcement, LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and the Biden administration defended the proclamation as an important step in recognizing and supporting transgender Americans. The debate reflects broader societal tensions around issues of equality, religious beliefs, and political polarization. Biden’s stance on LGBTQ+ rights and his commitment to fostering inclusivity and dignity for all Americans remains a key focus of his administration’s agenda amidst ongoing legislative challenges and social discourse.
