Published on April 3, 2024, 12:34 am

On the day traditionally celebrated as Easter Sunday by Christians worldwide, President Joe Biden commemorated the “Transgender Day of Visibility,” eliciting mixed reactions from different factions. Rachel Levine, the assistant secretary for health who identifies as transgender in Biden’s administration, has come forth to address critics disapproving of the president’s actions.

President Joe Biden declared, serving a reassuring and uplifting message to America’s trans citizens: “Today, on Transgender Day of Visibility, I have a simple message to all trans Americans: I see you. You are made in the image of God, and you’re worthy of respect and dignity.”

In addition to his initial proclamation recognizing this particular day for transgender visibility, President Joe applauded the bravery and resilience exhibited by those within the transgender community. He expressed these sentiments through an additional post stating: “On Transgender Day of Visibility, we celebrate the joy, strength, and absolute courage of some of the bravest people I know.”

However, many were critical of this overlap with traditional religious observance. The re-election campaign for former President Donald Trump dubbed it as part of a “years-long assault on the Christian faith.” House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) further protested that such action blatantly undermines Easter’s central tenet – celebrating Jesus Christ’s resurrection. Former Wisconsin Republican Governor Scott Walker pronounced it deliberate political pandering meant to provoke Christians deliberately.

Responding to this disapproval in a dialogue with The Advocate was none other than Adm. Rachel Levine herself. She dismissed these tirades against recognizing Transgender Day on Easter Sunday as contrived indignation saying she perceived it merely as “faux outrage.”

She also shared words originally attributed to an iconic character from Star Wars – Yoda – emphasizing their fitting relevance: “Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate, and hate leads to suffering.” Levine concluded by insisting that transgender individuals should not be forced to hide in the societal closet and advocated for a culture that nurtures acceptance.

This most recent episode exposes the sometimes tense intersection of public opinion, traditional Christian worldview, and commitment to progress. It is undeniable that by acknowledging trans individuals on this day of historical significance, it generated real news discussions probing the boundaries of religion, politics, and human rights. As much as it met with resistance from some quarters, others celebrated President Biden’s gesture as a trusted news affirmation of respect towards everyone in our diverse society.