President Joe Biden is facing backlash from Donald Trump’s campaign and religious conservatives after proclaiming March 31 as “Transgender Day of Visibility,” which coincides with Easter Sunday this year.
The Democratic president issued the proclamation on Friday, urging Americans to support transgender individuals and work towards ending discrimination based on gender identity. However, the decision to designate March 31 as Transgender Day of Visibility in 2024, when it overlaps with Easter, has sparked criticism.
Trump’s campaign accused Biden of insensitivity towards religion, particularly Christianity, and called for an apology to the millions of Catholics and Christians who view Easter as a sacred celebration. Karoline Leavitt, the Trump campaign’s press secretary, condemned the Biden administration’s supposed “assault on the Christian faith.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., also denounced the decision, calling it “outrageous and abhorrent,” accusing the Biden White House of betraying the central tenet of Easter.
In response, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates defended Biden, stating that the president values bringing people together and upholding the dignity and freedoms of all Americans. Bates emphasized that Biden’s faith is integral to his identity and morality, and that he would never exploit it for political gain.
Despite Biden’s Catholic background, his support for gay marriage and abortion rights has alienated some conservative Christians. The clash between Biden’s political stances and religious beliefs continues to be a point of contention among his critics.