Republican right-wing politicians and media figures have falsely accused the president Joe Biden to attempt to replace the Christian celebrating Easter with Transgender Day of Visibility. This year, TDOV, celebrated annually on March 31 since its inception in 2009, coincided with Easter Sunday, sparking a wave of misleading accusations against the Biden administration amid protests of what many have pointed out as l hypocrisy of the conservatives.
In response, a White House spokesperson called the bizarre attacks from some politicians “unsurprising.”
The date of Easter varies each year, falling on the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs during or after the spring equinox, while Transgender Day of Visibility is fixed, regardless of what day of the week it falls. Friday, Biden issued a proclamation recognizing this day as he has in previous years. However, this year the outrage followed and reached a fever pitch in the run-up to Sunday’s celebrations.
On Saturday, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, the ultra-religious and ultra-conservative lawmaker from Louisianaexpressed his dismay on X (formerly Twitter), writing: “The Biden White House has betrayed the central principle of Easter – which is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Banning sacred truth and tradition – while proclaiming Easter Sunday as “transgender day” – is outrageous and abhorrent. The American people are taking notice.
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, both Republicans, echoed similar sentiments. Stitt remarked, “The White House is trying to erase Easter. It should be a day to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Replacing it with a politically charged awareness day is disappointing.” Reeves added: “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.
Former president that of Donald Trump National press secretary Karoline Leavitt called Biden’s proclamation “appalling and insulting” in a Truth Social article, calling it an “assault on the Christian faith.” She called for “an apology to the millions of Catholics and Christians across America who believe that tomorrow is just one celebration.”
Catholics are Christians, and Biden is notoriously devout Catholic.
Human rights campaign Speaker Kelley Robinson mocked the fake scandal against X.
“Thank you @POTUS for highlighting Trans Day of Visibility! And to the clueless reviewers who don’t understand the concept of calendars, let me help you. TDOV is celebrated every year on March 31,” she wrote.
GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis also noted the manufactured controversy in a statement to The lawyer.
“The date of Easter changes each year based on the cycles of the moon, while Trans Day of Visibility is always recognized on March 31, but this year, right-wing politicians and talking heads are taking advantage of this coincidence to overshadow the hope and joy of Easter. represents with politicized lies about transgender Americans and the White House,” Ellis said. “People who believe in both religion and treating others with fundamental respect can celebrate the transformational resurrection of Jesus and also recognize the visibility of trans people.”
She continued: “For the many LGBTQ Christians and allies who celebrate Easter and also recognize TDOV every year, harmful lies are an excuse to hijack the Easter holiday with politics and distract from the issues that really matter. »
Attacks on TDOV surfaced alongside a false narrative spread by THE New York Post and other right-wing sources, claiming that the Biden administration had banned religious-themed Easter eggs from the annual White House Easter egg art contest. Emily Metz, president and CEO of the American Egg Board, told The lawyer that the non-discrimination policy which limits certain content concerning the themes of the art competition is old.
“Since its inception in 1976, the American Egg Board, like all commodity control programs, has always been required to operate in accordance with federal guidelines for all of its activities,” Metz wrote in a statement, noting that These councils are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of religion, political beliefs and other categories. “The American Egg Board has supported the White House Easter Egg Roll for more than 45 years and the guideline language referenced in recent reporting has consistently applied to the board since its inception, across administrations.”
Monday’s White House Easter Egg Roll, themed “EGGucation” by First Lady Jill Biden, will transform the South Lawn into a learning and activity center, emphasizing education at across STEAM subjects and welcoming approximately 40,000 participants, including military families and veterans. for a day of traditional entertainment and educational enrichment.
Before the uproar over TDOV, Trump announced a new initiative last week in sale “God Bless the United States” Bibles, priced at $59.99. The former president was widely mocked for taking advantage of his religious supporters to extract money from them to fund his legal and financial challenges.
One commenter on others of blasphemy. »
In response to conservative outrage, White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates provided The lawyer with a statement highlighting Biden’s faith and the administration’s commitment to inclusiveness.
“As a Christian who celebrates Easter with family, President Biden stands for bringing people together and respecting the dignity and freedoms of every American,” Bates said. “Unfortunately, it is no surprise that politicians seek to divide and weaken our country with cruel, hateful and dishonest rhetoric. President Biden will never abuse his faith for political gain or profit.
Bates then reacted to a tweet from Fox News, promoting an article about criticism of Biden for acknowledging TDOV.
“We’re happy to see that FOX agrees with @POTUS on this,” Bates said, citing a previous tweet from Fox Television celebrating TDOV.
“@FOXTV in 2021: “Trans Day of Visibility is dedicated to celebrating transgender people… To all transgender men, women and non-binary folx, we see you and stand with you,” the tweet read.