President Joe Biden's proclamation of Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) on March 31, which coincided with Easter Sunday this year, has sparked a wave of outrage among Republican politicians and right-wing media figures. Critics have accused the Biden administration of attempting to replace the Christian celebration of Easter with TDOV, leading to a heated debate over the perceived clash between religious observances and the recognition of transgender rights.
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
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed his dismay on X (formerly Twitter), writing, "The Biden White House has betrayed the central tenet of Easter - which is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 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." Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt and Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves echoed similar sentiments, with Stitt remarking that the White House was trying to "erase Easter" and Reeves calling the proclamation "an intentional attempt to insult and mock Christians across America."
The Biden White House has betrayed the central tenet of Easter — which is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 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. pic.twitter.com/ZCExyVkAVS — Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) March 30, 2024
Former President Donald Trump's national press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, described Biden's proclamation as "appalling and insulting" and an "assault on the Christian faith." She called for "an apology to the millions of Catholics and Christians across America who believe tomorrow is for one celebration only..." However, it is worth noting that Catholics are Christians, and Biden is famously devoutly Catholic.
In response to the conservative outrage, White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates provided a statement to The Advocate, emphasizing Biden's faith and the administration's commitment to inclusivity. "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. "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."
LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations have mocked the faux outrage surrounding the coincidental timing of TDOV and Easter. Human Rights Campaign president Kelley Robinson wrote on X, "Thank you @POTUS, for shining a light on Trans Day of Visibility! And to the clueless critics who can't grasp the concept of calendars, let me help you out. TDOV is celebrated every year on March 31." GLAAD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis also remarked on the manufactured controversy, stating that "right-wing politicians and talking heads are using the coincidental timing to overshadow the hope and joy that Easter represents with politicized lies about transgender Americans and the White House."
The attacks on TDOV have surfaced alongside a false narrative propagated by right-wing sources, claiming the Biden administration banned religious-themed Easter eggs from the annual White House Easter egg art contest. However, Emily Metz, president & CEO of the American Egg Board, clarified that the non-discrimination policy limiting certain content regarding the art contest's themes is long-standing and has been consistently applied across administrations.
On Monday, the White House Easter Egg Roll, themed "EGGucation" by First Lady Jill Biden, will transform the South Lawn into a hub of learning and activity, emphasizing education through STEAM subjects and welcoming around 40,000 attendees, including military and veteran families, for a day of traditional fun and educational enrichment.
The controversy surrounding Biden's TDOV proclamation has also drawn attention to former President Donald Trump's recent venture into selling "God Bless the USA" Bibles, priced at $59.99. Trump has been widely mocked for taking advantage of his religious supporters to raise funds for his legal and financial challenges, with one commenter on X remarking, "It's beyond ridiculous for the man who sold self-branded bibles & unironically shares memes about how his presidency is God ordained, to be accusing others of blasphemy."
