President Joe Biden sparked fury among conservatives on social media on Saturday after he proclaimed Sunday, March 31, which happened to be the day Easter fell on this year, Transgender Day of Visibility.
The International Transgender Day of Visibility was created on March 31, 2009, and has continued to be celebrated every March 31 for more than a decade. The day is meant to not only honor transgender people, but raise awareness of the discrimination they continue to face.
Easter usually falls between March 22 and April 25 every year. The holiday is celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon on or following the spring equinox.
On Friday, the White House sent out an announcement proclaiming March 31, 2024, as Transgender Day of Visibility. This announcement is just a formality as the date of this annual event has already been set and is a way for the Biden administration to celebrate the holiday.
In the announcement, Biden wrote, "Today, we send a message to all transgender Americans: You are loved. You are heard. You are understood. You belong. You are America, and my entire Administration and I have your back."
Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump's national press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, called it "appalling and insulting" that Biden "formally proclaimed Easter Sunday as 'Trans Day of Visibility'" in a statement on Saturday. Leavitt said the president's announcement is an example of his administration's "yearslong assault on the Christian faith."
"We call on Joe Biden's failing campaign and White House to issue an apology to the millions of Catholics and Christians across America who believe tomorrow is for one celebration only—the resurrection of Jesus Christ," she added.
Journalist Aaron Rupar fought back against Trump's statement, writing on X, formerly Twitter: "Cloaking yourself in Christianity to spread bigotry and attack marginalized communities is some twisted s***."
Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., wrote on X: "This is the left's new religion. They want people worshiping the trans flag instead of God. They must be stopped."
"The Biden White House has betrayed the central tenet of Easter—which is the resurrection of Jesus Christ," House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, posted. "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."
In response to the criticism, White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates told Newsweek via email on Saturday afternoon: "As a Christian who celebrates Easter with family, President Biden stands for bringing people together and upholding the dignity and freedoms of every American. 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."
Also responding to Biden's announcement, Charlie Kirk, founder and CEO of conservative group Turning Point USA, wrote on X, "Joe Biden just proclaimed Easter Sunday a 'Transgender Day of Visibility.' Yes, he really just did that. If you're offended, that's the point."
Conservative political commentator Benny Johnson posted: "Joe Biden has declared Easter Sunday 'Transgender Day of Visibility' What a slap in the face to all Christians in America..."
"America has been hijacked by lunatics," wrote Abe Hamadeh, a Trump-endorsed Republican candidate for Congress in Arizona.
Sara Gonzales, who hosts a show on conservative outlet Blaze Media, posted to X: "Joe Biden proclaims Easter Sunday as 'Transgender Day of Visibility.' As I have said, this is no longer left versus right. This is good versus evil. It has never been more clear."
Steve Bannon, far-right media personality and former White House chief strategist in the Trump administration, wrote on conservative social media site Gettr, in response to Biden's announcement: "5 November 2024 Begins the Process of the Restoration of Decency @ 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue."
November 5, 2024, is the date of this year's presidential election, which will likely be between Biden, the Democratic incumbent, and Trump, the presumed GOP presidential nominee.
Biden, who is a Catholic, has championed LGBTQ+ rights while in office, which he wrote about in his Transgender Day of Visibility announcement.
"I am proud to have appointed transgender leaders to my Administration and to have ended the ban on transgender Americans serving openly in our military," the president wrote. "I am proud to have signed historic Executive Orders that strengthen civil rights protections in housing, employment, health care, education, the justice system, and more. I am proud to have signed the Respect for Marriage Act into law, ensuring that every American can marry the person they love."
However, he admitted "there is much more to do" and called on Congress to pass the Equality Act, which would "codify civil rights protections for all LGBTQI+ Americans."
Biden also condemned anti-trans youth laws proposed by "extremists" and bullying and discrimination of transgender people, calling it "un-American" and demanding that it "must end."
In 2023, at least 510 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were introduced in state legislatures across the country, according to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
"It is no surprise that the bullying and discrimination that transgender Americans face is worsening our Nation's mental health crisis, leading half of transgender youth to consider suicide in the past year," Biden wrote Friday.
The Biden administration also provides emergency mental health support through the nationwide suicide and crisis lifeline. If you are an LGBTQ+ youth in need of help, call "988" and press "3" to speak with a trained counselor.
Sean Ebony Coleman, a Black trans nonprofit leader who serves as the founder and executive director of the national LGBTQ+ nonprofit Destination Tomorrow, shared a statement about Transgender Day of Visibility with Newsweek via email on Monday: "Our voices are seldom represented in society. And when we are given a platform, there are no measures in place to ensure our safety or security.
"Visibility isn't just about acknowledging our presence; it means actively listening to our needs and ensuring we can live authentically without fear. Achieving true visibility and representation for our Transgender siblings requires a collective effort—a commitment from our leaders and allies to recognize all necessary steps to fully uplift our voices and experiences."
Meanwhile, the White House hosted its annual Easter Egg Roll on Monday, filled with fun educational activities for children. The Easter Egg Roll dates back to 1878 when then-President Rutherford B. Hayes announced that children were allowed to roll Easter eggs at the White House after Congress made such activities illegal on U.S. Capitol grounds in 1876.
Update 3/30/24, 3:14 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update 3/30/24, 3:59 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update 3/30/24, 5:59 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with comment from the White House.
Update 3/30/24, 7:08 p.m. ET: The headline has been updated.
Update 4/2/2024, 12:03 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with comment from Destination Tomorrow Executive Director Sean Ebony Coleman.
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