(UnitedVoice.com) – Easter Sunday came a little early this year. It took place on March 31, instead of occurring in April. It also happened to be on the same day as an annual day recognizing transgender people. President Joe Biden is facing backlash for honoring the trans day before the important Christian holiday. The White House is being accused of trying to do damage control.
Conflicting Days
On March 31, 2009, activists created the International Transgender Day of Visibility. It has been held on that date every year since its founding. Biden has recognized the day since his inauguration — and this year was no different.
On March 29, the White House issued a proclamation for the Trans Day of Visibility. The president said that he was proud his “administration has stood for justice from the start” by working to ensure people from the LGBTQ+ community “can live openly, in safety, with dignity and respect.” The president honored “the extraordinary courage and contributions of transgender Americans.”
Meanwhile, unlike the Transgender Day of Visibility, the date of Easter changes every year. The sacred Christian holiday marks the end of Lent and celebrates the day Jesus rose after being crucified. The holiday occurs on the Sunday after the first full moon of the spring equinox.
This year, Easter fell on March 31, the same day as the celebration for the trans community. Critics called out Biden for recognizing the Trans Day of Visibility when it fell on a Christian holiday.
On March 30, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) accused Biden of betraying “the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” He claimed the president has proclaimed “Easter Sunday as ‘Transgender Day,’” failing to mention that trans day is the same day every year and never changes. Still, the speaker called it “outrageous and abhorrent.”
Clean Up or Another Ordinary Declaration?
On March 31, President Biden wished Christians a happy Easter. The White House released a statement from him saying he and First Lady Jill Biden were sending their “warmest wishes to Christians around the world.” He went on to say that they were remembering “Jesus’ sacrifice,” and they were praying for “one another and cherish[ing] the blessing of the dawn of new possibilities.”
Jill and I send our warmest wishes to Christians around the world celebrating the power of hope and the promise of Christ’s Resurrection this Easter Sunday. pic.twitter.com/xzgjtcTwQy
— President Biden (@POTUS) March 31, 2024
Conservatives accused the president of doing damage control by issuing the remarks about Easter. However, just like the Trans Day of Visibility, Biden has released a statement about Easter every year since taking office.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told the press the controversy was “hateful and dishonest.” She accused the Right of trying to divide the country.
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