U.S. President Joe Biden is facing fierce criticism from former President Donald Trump's campaign and religious conservatives for proclaiming March 31, which coincides with Easter Sunday this year, as "Transgender Day of Visibility." The move has sparked outrage among those who view it as an insensitive and disrespectful gesture towards one of Christianity's holiest celebrations.
In a statement released on Friday, the White House called on "all Americans to join us in lifting up the lives and voices of transgender people throughout our Nation and to work toward eliminating violence and discrimination based on gender identity." However, the decision to designate the same day as Easter for this purpose has drawn sharp condemnation from the Trump camp and fellow Republicans.
Karoline Leavitt, Trump's national press secretary, labeled the proclamation "appalling and insulting," accusing the Biden administration of engaging in a "years-long assault on the Christian faith." She demanded that the president's "failing campaign and the White House 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."
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., echoed these sentiments on social media, stating that the "Biden White House has betrayed the central tenet of Easter" and calling the decision "outrageous and abhorrent." He added, "The American people are taking note."
The controversy has also drawn the attention of prominent figures such as Caitlyn Jenner, a former Olympic gold medal-winning decathlete, who expressed her disgust on X (formerly Twitter). "I am absolutely disgusted that Joe Biden has declared the most Holy of Holy days - a self proclaimed devout Catholic - as Transgender Day of Visibility," Jenner wrote. "The only thing you should be declaring on this day is 'HE is Risen'."
Donald Trump Jr., the former president's eldest son, accused the left of trying to replace religion with a "new religion" centered around the transgender flag. "This is the left's new religion. They want people worshiping the trans flag instead of God. They must be stopped," he wrote on X.
The backlash against Biden's proclamation comes amid a broader debate about the role of religion in public life and the perceived tension between LGBTQ+ rights and religious freedom. Biden, a devout Catholic who attends Mass regularly and considers his faith to be a core part of his identity, has faced criticism from conservative Christians for his stances on issues such as gay marriage and abortion rights.
Despite the outcry, the White House has not yet responded to the demands for an apology or addressed the concerns raised by religious conservatives. The controversy has also drawn attention to the White House's Easter traditions, including the annual Easter Egg Roll and an art contest that recently banned religious egg designs.
As the debate over the Transgender Day of Visibility proclamation continues, it remains to be seen how the Biden administration will navigate the delicate balance between supporting LGBTQ+ rights and respecting the religious beliefs of millions of Americans. The clash between the Trump campaign and the White House on this issue is likely to further deepen the political and cultural divisions that have characterized American politics in recent years.
