The Biden administration celebrated “Transgender Day of Visibility” on Easter Sunday after the White House faced a wave of condemnation over formally recognizing the gender identity event taking place on the same day as the religious holiday.
President Joe Biden posted to X on Sunday, saying, “On Transgender Day of Visibility, we celebrate the joy, strength, and absolute courage of some of the bravest people I know.”
On Transgender Day of Visibility, we celebrate the joy, strength, and absolute courage of some of the bravest people I know.
Today, we show millions of transgender and nonbinary Americans that we see them, they belong, and they should be treated with dignity and respect. pic.twitter.com/mhixHV9KC2
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) March 31, 2024
He added, “Today, we show millions of transgender and nonbinary Americans that we see them, they belong, and they should be treated with dignity and respect.”
The post also included a graphic that showed the logo for Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’s re-election campaign over a background that incorporated the colors of the transgender flag, along with the message: “Trans rights are human rights.”
Harris posted the same image to her X account.
“On Transgender Day of Visibility, we celebrate transgender and nonbinary Americans. Their courage has given countless others strength, but no one should have to be brave just to be themselves,” she said, adding, “We see you. We stand with you. We won’t stop fighting for you.”
The White House also posted about Transgender Day of Visibility on Sunday.
Transgender Americans are part of the fabric of our nation.
On Transgender Day of Visibility, our Administration honors the extraordinary courage of transgender Americans and reaffirms our commitment to forming a more perfect union – where all people are treated equally. pic.twitter.com/ElRf9l62Nk
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 31, 2024
Secretary of State Antony Blinken released a press statement saying the Transgender Day of Visibility “is a celebration of the courage and resilience of transgender, nonbinary, and gender non-confirming persons who exist in every country and culture around the world.”
He added that the “United States recognizes the achievements and progress that trans persons have made in the global struggle for equality and re-affirms its commitment to supporting the equality, inclusion, and full recognition of the human rights of transgender persons.”
The White House faced backlash after Biden issued a proclamation on Friday that announced Sunday would be the Transgender Day of Visibility. Although Biden has made the same declaration for March 31 since 2021, critics took umbrage at it falling on the same day as Easter this year.
Former President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign released a statement on Saturday, calling the declaration an example of the Biden administration’s “years-long assault on the Christian faith.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) posted on X that the White House “has betrayed the central tenet of Easter — which is the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
He continued, “Banning sacred truth and tradition—while at the same time proclaiming Easter Sunday as ‘Transgender Day’ — is outrageous and abhorrent. The American people are taking note.”
Among the others to lash out at the Biden administration included former Wisconsin Republican Governor Scott Walker.
“This should [be] evidence to anyone who voted for Biden in 2020 because they thought he was reasonable that he is not,” Walker said on X. “Biden is pandering to the radical fringe within politics. The only reason to pick Easter Sunday for this day was to stir up division with Christians. He is wrong!”
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) said, “Biden’s re-election team can reflect on this moment when he loses in November. This was intentionally done to disrespect the Christian significance of Easter and it WILL backfire.”
Biden’s re-election team can reflect on this moment when he loses in November. This was intentionally done to disrespect the Christian significance of Easter and it WILL backfire. pic.twitter.com/HUn2RvVGwV
— Anna Paulina Luna (@realannapaulina) March 30, 2024
The White House responded to critics with a statement from spokesman Andrew Bates.
“As a Christian who celebrates Easter with Family, President Biden stands for bringing people together and upholding the dignity and freedoms of every American,” Bates said, according to The Hill.
“Sadly, it’s unsurprising politicians are seeking to divide and weaken our country with cruel, hateful, and dishonest rhetoric. President Biden will never abuse his faith for political purposes or for profit,” he continued.
Biden also shared an Easter message on Sunday.
“Jill and I send our warmest wishes to Christians around the world celebrating Easter Sunday. Easter reminds us of the power of hope and the promise of Christ’s Resurrection,” Biden said in a statement issued via the White House.
“As we gather with loved ones, we remember Jesus’ sacrifice. We pray for one another and cherish the blessing of the dawn of new possibilities. And with wars and conflict taking a toll on innocent lives around the world, we renew our commitment to work for peace, security, and dignity for all people,” he added. “From our family to yours, happy Easter and may God bless you.”
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Some Democrats in Congress echoed Biden in recognizing both the Transgender Day of Visibility and Easter on Sunday.
“The transgender community is the subject of relentless prejudice and hate. Today I stand with you and proudly observe Transgender Day of Visibility – a day to recognize and celebrate the transgender community,” Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) said on X.
“He has risen! I wish you and your family a blessed and joyous Easter,” Booker said in an earlier post.