By Marisa Laudadio
5:00pm PDT, Apr 4, 2024
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Fifteen years ago, the International Transgender Day of Visibility was created in 2009 with the understanding it would be marked on March 31 every year. The day is meant to honor transgender people and raise awareness of the discrimination they face.
But in 2024, controversy erupted when critics, many of them conservatives, realized that Transgender Day of Visibility fell on Easter Sunday and was supported by the White House.
"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," President Joe Biden wrote on X.
Many lawmakers, politicians and Hollywood stars spoke out about the drama as well as the misinformation around the shared date and other details concerning how the White House traditionally marks the Easter holiday.
Join us as we take a look at what they've been saying…
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"I am absolutely disgusted that Joe Biden has declared the most Holy of Holy days — a self proclaimed devout Catholic — as Transgender Day of Visibility. The only thing you should be declaring on this day is 'HE is Risen,'" Caitlyn Jenner wrote on X.
Critics were quick to note that Caitlyn, who publicly announced she was trans in 2015, has previously shared images of herself celebrating Transgender Day of Visibility, including in 2017, on social media.
MORE: Stars who came out
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"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," Karoline Leavitt, the press secretary for Donald Trump's presidential campaign, said in a statement, further claiming it's another example of the Biden administration's "years-long assault on the Christian faith."
She also had something to say about the White House's Easter art contest…
MORE: Stars who have LGBTQIA+ kids
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Karoline Leavitt — the press secretary for Donald Trump's presidential campaign — also blamed the Biden administration for a White House ban on religious egg designs in its Easter art contest that's been a White House tradition along with the annual Easter Egg Roll, as the flier for the contest stated that Easter egg design submissions "must not include any questionable content, religious symbols, overtly religious themes or partisan political statements."
However, a spokesperson for the Office of the First Lady confirmed that the egg-decorating guidelines came from the American Egg Board and have been in place for decades — indicating the same rules were in effect in Trump's White House when he hosted the annual Easter events. Elizabeth Alexander, a spokesperson for first lady Jill Biden, shared on X, "The American Egg Board flyer's standard non-discrimination language requesting artwork has been used for the last 45 years, across all Dem & Republican Admins."
The American Egg Board itself confirmed the same, with President and CEO of the American Egg Board Emily Metz saying in a statement, "The American Egg Board has been a supporter of the White House Easter Egg Roll for over 45 years and the guideline language referenced in recent news reports has consistently applied to the board since its founding, across administrations," further explaining that the board is required to "operate within federal guidelines for all of its activities" which means it's "prohibited from discriminating in all programming and activities on the basis of religion, political beliefs and all other stated categories."
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"The Biden White House has betrayed the central tenet of Easter — which is the resurrection of Jesus Christ," House Speaker Mike Johnson wrote on X. "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."
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Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock — a Democrat who's also the senior pastor of Atlanta's Ebenezer Baptist Church — responded to House Speaker Mike Johnson's comments, saying on CNN's "State of the Union" show on Easter, "Apparently, the speaker finds trans people abhorrent. And I think he ought to think about that." The senator further called the Republican response "just one more instance of folks who do not know how to lead us trying to divide us."
He continued, "This is the opposite of the Christian faith. In a moment like this, we need voices, particularly voices of faith, who would use our faith not as a weapon to beat other people down but as a bridge to bring all of us together."
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"This is the left's new religion. They want people worshiping the trans flag instead of God. They must be stopped." —Donald Trump Jr., on X
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"President Biden has declared that Easter Sunday is now Transgender Day. This is an intentional attempt to insult and mock Christians across America. Shocking — but not surprising. In Mississippi, we will proudly celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of sinners." —Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves, on X
Keep reading to see how one Hollywood star responded to Reeves' comments…
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"March 31st has been Trans Day of Visibility since 2009, Tate," actress Sophia Bush wrote on X in response to Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves' inaccurate statement.
"It's a day to honor the trans folks we've lost to violence. Now, if you looked at a calendar you'd know the date of Easter Sunday changes every year. TDOV does not. This is not hard to understand. Your lie is gross, and only encourages violence against an already at-risk community. Jesus would hate that. Be more like Jesus … if you're so into him."
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"The transgender community is the subject of relentless prejudice and hate. Today I stand with you and proudly observe Transgender Day of Visibility – a day to recognize and celebrate the transgender community." —Senator Cory Booker, on X
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"[I'm] so surprised by the misinformation that's been out there around this. And I want to be very clear: Every year for the past several years on March 31, Transgender Day of Visibility is marked. And as we know, for folks who understand how it works, Easter falls on different Sundays every year. And this year it happened to coincide with Transgender Visibility Day. That is the simple fact. That is what has happened.
"I do want to say a couple of things because I think it's important here. [There's a] a lot of misinformation done on purpose and as a Christian who celebrates Easter with family, President Biden stands for bringing people together and upholding the dignity and freedoms of every American. And sadly … [some] politicians are seeking to divide and weaken our country with cruel, hateful and dishonest rhetoric…
"We're grateful that Fox agrees with President Biden about the importance of recognizing Trans Day of Visibility, and I will quote something that Fox said back in 2021, they tweeted this: 'Trans Day of Visibility is dedicated to celebrating transgender people. To all the transgender men, women and nonbinary folk, we see you and stand with you.' … This misinformation out there, it's just bad." —White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, at a White House press conference
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"Joe Biden just proclaimed that 'Transgender Visibility Day' is on Sunday, March 31st. I wonder how he came up with that date." —former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy
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Tennessee Republican Representative Diana Harshbarger wrote on X, "This is a direct assault on Christianity. It's evident the left is determined to undermine our religion and traditions. This isn't just blatant disregard, it's intentional."
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"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," said Sarah Kate Ellis, GLAAD president and CEO, in a statement.
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"Joe Biden has proclaimed Easter Sunday as 'Transgender Day of Visibility,'" West Virginia Republican Representative Alex Mooney wrote on X. "What a coincidence on the timing, right? This is a direct assault on Christianity. Yet another attack on religion and traditions by this administration."
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"I'm glad the Trump people are pretending to freak out about the Trans Day of Visibility because it calls more attention to the Trans Day of Visibility. Happy TDV to all who wish to be seen." —Michael Ian Black, on X
