The president’s proclamation has sparked an uproar among Republicans and conservatives.
WASHINGTON—President Joe Biden on April 1 pushed back against criticism of his proclamation on the weekend in support of transgender people, which coincided with Easter.
“I didn’t do that,” President Biden said in response to a question from the press about his issuing the proclamation.
When asked about House Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-La.) criticism of the proclamation, the president replied that “he’s thoroughly uninformed.”
The president’s responses came during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll he hosted along with First Lady Jill Biden on the South Lawn.
President Biden declared March 31, which fell on Easter Sunday, as “Transgender Day of Visibility,” sparking an uproar among Republicans and conservatives.
Mr. Johnson called it “outrageous,” while former President Donald Trump’s campaign demanded that President Biden apologize to millions of Christians in the United States.
“The Biden White House has betrayed the central tenet of Easter—which is the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” Mr. Johnson wrote on March 30 on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“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.”
President Biden said in the March 29 proclamation that his administration wanted to send a message that transgender people are part of American society.
“NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 31, 2024, as Transgender Day of Visibility,” the president’s proclamation reads.
President Biden highlighted the appointment of transgender individuals in leadership positions within his administration, as well as the lifting of the ban that previously prevented them from openly serving in the military.
He also touted his administration’s efforts to make public services more accessible for transgender Americans, including making official documents such as passports more “inclusive” by including an X as the gender marker.
Karoline Leavitt, President Trump’s national press secretary, described the proclamation as “the Biden administration’s years-long assault on the Christian faith.”
By Emel Akan
Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com
LGBTQ Community Calendar
There are a number of days and months observed, celebrated, and honored by the LGBTQ community. The list below is specific to LGBTQ-focused days.
February
- February 7: National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
- Week after Valentine’s Day: Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week
- February 28: HIV Is Not A Crime Awareness Day
March
- March: Bisexual Health Awareness Month
- Week varies in March: National LGBT Health Awareness Week
- March 10: National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
- March 20: National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
- March 31: International Transgender Day of Visibility
April
- April 6: International Asexuality Day
- April 10: National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
- Third Friday of April: Day of Silence
- April 18: National Transgender HIV Testing Day
- April 18: Nonbinary Parents Day
- April 26: Lesbian Visibility Day
May
- First Sunday In May: International Family Equality Day
- May 17: International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia
- May 19: National Asian & Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
- May 22: Harvey Milk Day
- May 24: Pansexual and Panromantic Awareness and Visibility Day
June
- June: LGBTQ Pride Month
- June 1: LGBTQ Families Day
- June 12: Pulse Remembrance
- June 15: Anniversary of U.S. Supreme Court Bostock decision expanding protections to LGBTQ employees
- June 26: Anniversary of U.S. Supreme Court legalizing marriage equality
- June 27: National HIV Testing Day
- June 28: Stonewall Day
- June 30: Queer Youth of Faith Day
July
- Week of July 14: Nonbinary Awareness Week, culminates in International Nonbinary People’s Day on July 14
- July 16: International Drag Day
August
- August 14: Gay Uncles Day
- August 20: Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
September
- September 18: National HIV/AIDS & Aging Awareness Day
- Week of September 23: Bisexual+ Awareness Week, culminates in Celebrate Bisexuality Day on September 23
- September 27: National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
October
- October: LGBTQ History Month
- October 8: International Lesbian Day
- October 11: National Coming Out Day
- October 15: National Latinx HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
- October 19: National LGBT Center Awareness Day
- Third Wednesday in October: International Pronouns Day
- Third Thursday in October: Spirit Day
- Last week in October: Asexual Awareness Week
- October 26: Intersex Awareness Day
November
- First Sunday of November: Transgender Parent Day
- November 13 – 19: Transgender Awareness Week
- November 20: Transgender Day of Remembrance
December
- December 1: World AIDS Day
- December 8: Pansexual/Panromantic Pride Day
- December 14: HIV Cure Research Day
