US President Joe Biden’s recent proclamation declaring Easter Sunday as Transgender Day of Visibility has ignited a firestorm of controversy across the nations, with critics lambasting the move as an affront to Christian traditions and values.
The decision, announced by the White House on Friday, coincides with the International Transgender Day of Visibility, established in 2009 to honor the contributions of transgender individuals and also to raise awareness about the challenges they face.
In a statement, President Biden announced the importance of inclusivity and equality, proclaiming March 31, 2024, as Transgender Day of Visibility. He called on all Americans to join in recognizing the lives and voices of transgender people and to work towards eradicating discrimination based on gender identity.
“Now, therefore, I, Joseph R. Biden Jr., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 31, 2024, as Transgender Day of Visibility.
“I call upon all Americans to join us in lifting up the lives and voices of transgender people throughout our nation and to work towards eliminating violence and discrimination based on gender identity.” Biden said
However, the timing of the declaration has sparked outrage with many accusing the Biden administration of waging a war on Christianity. Social media platforms were inundated with criticisms from prominent politicians and Christian leaders, condemning the decision to overshadow Easter Sunday with transgender activism.
Former President Donald Trump Jr. took to Twitter to express his disdain, accusing Biden of prioritizing the transgender agenda over religious freedoms. He criticized the administration for allegedly banning religious symbols from Easter celebrations at the White House while promoting transgender visibility.
The controversy was fueled by reports of the Biden administration’s decision to exclude religious symbols from the art contest for the 2024 Easter Egg Roll, a longstanding tradition at the White House. Families of National Guard members were reportedly advised against displaying religious symbols, sparking further backlash.
Despite the backlash, some defended President Biden’s decision, noting that the Transgender Day of Visibility has been observed on March 31 for over a decade, whereas Easter’s date varies annually based on lunar and equinox cycles.
A fact-check report by Reuters confirmed that the Transgender Day of Visibility has consistently fallen on March 31 each year, supposedly clearing the distinction between the fixed date of the transgender observance and the variable date of Easter.
