President Joe Biden shone a light on the transgender community by declaring March 31 as Transgender Day of Visibility, per a recent proclamation from the White House. In an assertive move, the President has called for the recognition and upliftment of transgender Americans, laying out his administration’s ongoing efforts to combat discrimination and violence against the LGBTQI+ community. "On Transgender Day of Visibility, we honor the extraordinary courage and contributions of transgender Americans and reaffirm our Nation’s commitment to forming a more perfect Union — where all people are created equal and treated equally throughout their lives," reads the proclamation.
From appointing transgender leaders in his administration to signing the Respect for Marriage Act into law, Biden’s administration has made strides in supporting LGBTQI+ rights. However, the President did not mince words when it came to addressing an uptick in legislative measures targeting the transgender community, especially children. "But extremists are proposing hundreds of hateful laws that target and terrify transgender kids and their families, " the statement pointed out, labeling such laws as fundamentally un-American. Underscoring the dire consequences of discrimination, the proclamation highlighted that half of transgender youth have considered suicide in the past year due to bullying and harassment.
The White House has taken a hands-on approach with the Department of Justice pushing back against State laws targeting transgender youth, along with forming partnerships with law enforcement and community groups to tackle hate crimes. A dedicated emergency mental health support line has also been made available, where LGBTQI+ youth can connect with trained counselors by calling “988” and pressing “3.” "Today, we send a message to all transgender Americans: You are loved. You are heard. You are understood. You belong. You are America, and my entire Administration and I have your back," affirmed Biden in the proclamation.
While substantial progress has been made, the President urged Congress to keep the momentum going by passing the Equality Act, aiming to codify civil rights protections for all LGBTQI+ Americans. Following the President's lead, Americans are called upon to join in lifting the lives and voices of transgender folks, not only on March 31 but all year round, to eliminate the specter of violence and discrimination that still haunts many. It's a stance that positions inclusivity and equality at the heart of the nation's values as reflected in the Presidential Proclamation, which concludes with the traditional sign-off, marking the 248th year of America's independence.
