Conservatives have been furious ever since President Joe Biden announced this year’s Easter Sunday as the Transgender Day of Visibility. The Transgender Day of Visibility has been celebrated on March 31` since 2009 to raise awareness and celebrate the achievements of transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals. This year the Transgender Day of Visibility coincided with Easter Sunday.
Fox News host Howard Kurtz spoke in Biden’s defense on Sunday.
Biden Proclaims March 31 as The Transgender Day of Visibility
On Friday, Biden upheld the importance of the Transgender Day of Visibility as an important day to “honor the extraordinary courage and contributions of transgender Americans.”
This year March 31 coincided with Easter Day which is one of the holiest days for Christians.
Trump Was Furious Over Biden’s Declaration
Former president Donald Trump was furious over Biden’s declaration of March 31 as the Transgender Day of Visibility.
Trump’s campaign retaliated by writing, “It is appalling and insulting that Joe Biden’s White House prohibited children from submitting religious egg designs for their Easter Art Event as ‘Trans Day of Visibility.”
Trump’s Team Has Demanded an Apology
Trump’s team wants Biden to apologize for proclaiming the holy day of Easter as Transgender Day of Visibility.
Karoline Leavitt, Trump campaign spokeswoman, said, “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.”
Mike Johnson Criticizes Biden
Republican House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson criticized Biden in a post on X. Johnson wrote, “The Biden White House has betrayed the central tenet of Easter — which is the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
Johnson added, “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.”
Andrew Bates Retaliates
White House spokesman Andrew Bates retaliated by posting on X, “Right-wing media figures have falsely accused President Joe Biden of attempting to replace the Christian celebration of Easter.”
Bates added, “…alongside a false narrative…claiming the Biden administration banned religious-themed Easter eggs from” the White House.”
Bates Claims “Overtly Religious Egg Designs Are Not Permitted
Slamming the accusations made by the Trump campaign, Bates wrote on X, “It is true that overtly religious egg designs are not permitted.”
Bates also remarked that the rule isn’t any different from what it was during Trump’s tenure. Bates wrote, “But it has been that way under every president since 1976 — including under DONALD TRUMP.”
Howard Kurtz Defends Biden
Fox News host Howard Kurtz refuted the criticisms hurled against Biden by Republicans by pointing out, “What too much of the coverage has left out is the holiday’s always been March 31st.”
Kurtz added, “Every once in a while, it falls on Easter. Now I’m sure there’s some people who believe that there shouldn’t be a Transgender Day of Visibility and maybe they could have skipped the proclamation, politically speaking, but Biden didn’t pick the date.”
The Hosts of Fox and Friends Accused Biden of Promoting Paganism
Hours before Kurtz spoke publicly in Biden’s defense, the hosts of Fox and Friends had Biden of promoting paganism due to his signing of a proclamation about the International Transgender Day of Visibility.
Fox and Friends host Rachel Campos-Duffy said, “But it is a holy day, and I think one of the things that we’ve been highlighting all throughout the show is the importance of Christians to take responsibility for honoring, making this day holy, not allowing, you know, the commercialization and much less this other pagan path that the Trans Day of Visibility is trying to, you know, the White House is trying to overshadow this holy day with that ridiculous proclamation on the same day as the day that our Lord is risen.”
Kurtz Points Out That Biden is a Church-Going Catholic President
Kurtz’ who is the host of Media Buzz said, “I’m going to give myself the last word on something else.”
Kurtz continued, “That is that Joe Biden, the Catholic church-going president, has been accused by the Trump campaign and some on the right…of desecrating Easter by proclaiming today the Transgender Day of Visibility.”
Kate Ellis Criticizes Right-Wing Politicians
Kate Ellis, the president and CEO of Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), a nonprofit LGBTQ+ advocacy organization focused on cultural change, emailed a statement to Newsweek.
Ellis wrote, “The date of Easter moves each year, while Trans Day of Visibility is always recognized on March 31, but this year 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.”
Ellis Pointed Out That Biden Didn’t Select The Date
In the statement emailed to Newsweek, Ellis also wrote, “President Biden and our government do not control when Easter occurs or the annual date of TDOV which was selected fifteen years ago.”
Ellis added, “People who believe both in religion and in treating others with basic respect can celebrate the transformational Resurrection of Jesus and also support visibility for trans people.:
Ellis Believes The Republican Outrage is An Attempt to Distract From Important Issues
In the statement, Ellis wrote, “For the many LGBTQ Christians and allies who celebrate Easter and also recognize TDOV each year, the harmful right-wing lies are an excuse to hijack the Easter holiday with politics and to distract from issues that really matter.”
Ellis’ statement came in the wake of fierce backlash directed towards Biden on social media.
Biden Stands By His Proclamation
Despite the fierce backlash, the Biden administration stands firm by the president’s proclamation.
According to American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), at least 510 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were added to state legislatures across the U.S. in 2023.
Biden Is Proud of His Support of The LGBTQI+ Community
In the White House statement, Biden wrote, “I am proud that my Administration has stood for justice from the start, working to ensure that the LGBTQI+ community can live openly, in safety, with dignity and respect.”
The press release also highlighted that “Transgender Americans are part of the fabric of our Nation.”
