Since 2009, Transgender Day of Visibility (TDoV) has been celebrated on March 31 in the U.S. as a way to create togetherness and community for the members of the LGBTQ+ community. This year, the celebration day that was created to honor the approximately 2.6 million of trans people in the US fell on the same day as Easter, leading to controversy.

President Joe Biden issued a proclamation on March 29 to recognize TDoV, followed by a statement two days later emphasizing transgender Americans’ right to safety, support, and dignity.

“On Transgender Day of Visibility, we celebrate the strength, joy, and absolute courage of some of the bravest people I know. Transgender Americans deserve to be safe and supported in every community – but today, across our country, MAGA extremists are advancing hundreds of hateful and extreme state laws that target transgender kids and their families. No one should have to be brave just to be themselves,” Biden said starting off his statement shared on March 31. 

Right-wing conservative leaders and social media posts falsely claimed Biden created TDoV and purposefully declared it on Easter. Conservative figures such as Ted Cruz and members of Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign criticized the timing or demanded apologies from the Biden administration.

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson called Biden’s actions “outrageous and abhorrent.”

And politicians weren’t the only ones expressing public upset. Celebrities like Caitlyn Jenner and Tyrese were quick to speak out as well.

But Biden did not create TDoV and the White House did celebrate Easter this year. Biden has honored the TDoV since 2021 and was the first president to do so. The holiday was created in 2009 by Rachel Crandall-Crocker, the executive director and co-founder of Transgender Michigan.

“I created it because I wanted a time that we don’t have to be so lonely. I wanted a day that we’re all together all over the world as one community. And that’s exactly what we are,” Crandall-Crocker said in an interview with AP last month.

Easter is planned by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in accordance with the ecclesiastical full moon and falls on a different day every year. Next year, Easter Sunday will be on April 20. This year, the White House held the annual Easter Egg Roll on April 1.

During a press briefing held on April 1, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the claims shared were untrue, emphasizing that Biden celebrates Easter while “upholding the dignity and freedoms of every American.”

“It is dishonest what we have heard the past 24 hours.  It is untrue what we heard over the weekend,” Jean-Pierre said. “President Biden will never abuse his faith or — for political purposes or for profit.  That is not what this administration is about.  That is not what being a leader is about.”

How misinformation harms the queer and trans community

Sarah Kate Ellis, president and CEO of LGBTQ+ advocacy nonprofit GLAAD, said to us it’s baffling how political leaders exploit opportunities to spread disinformation.

“[Public figures] could have chosen to reflect on the joy and renewal of Easter, celebrate the existence and resilience of transgender people, or simply be at peace with their own loved ones on a spring weekend. Instead they whipped up false outrage over something that wasn’t happening,” said Ellis, who draws from reports that the majority of Americans reject anti-trans campaigning.

Ellis explained the spread of disinformation puts people at risk for discrimination and violence.

“When extremist public figures rush to post disinformation about a vulnerable community, it puts them at further risk of discrimination and violence. It sends false messages about who belongs and who should be ostracized and legislated against,” Ellis said.

In 2022, there was a 40% increase in anti-transgender hate crime incidents compared to 2021, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. In 2018, anti-LGBTQ+ ideation was the root cause of one in every five hate crimes committed in the U.S., according to the FBI.

This data was corroborated by trans rights activists and legislative researcher Erin Reed in an interview with Scientific American in Dec. 2022.

“Antiqueer rhetoric seeks to establish violence against the LGBTQ+ community, be it physical violence, harassment and abuse, or political violence,” Reed said in the article.

The American Psychological Association said that this form of violence against LGBTQ+ members can lead to feelings of alienation, sadness, anger, depression, anxiety and mood disorders, mental distress, suicidal ideations. It can also lead to actions like an increase in substance use or an increased risk of unsafe sexual practices.

“Discriminatory legislation, policies, and practices can significantly negatively impact LGBTQ+ people and the microsystems, organizations, localities, and macrosystems in which they operate,” said the report.

Ellis added that the danger of disinformation against LGBTQ+ members doesn’t just threaten that community it affects all Americans.

“There is also danger to all Americans, because when elected officials take time to attack LGBTQ people, they are neglecting to focus on real problems a majority of all Americans care about, including gun violence, poverty, homelessness, and the attacks on fundamental freedoms to be ourselves, read what we want, and make private health care decisions for ourselves and our families. Discrimination and disinformation are unacceptable barriers to everyone’s safety and success,” Ellis said.

Ellis added that TDoV falling on Easter this year should be a reminder of respect and justice for all.

“Imagine if all public figures were in it for all people, rather than feeding the outrage machine to selfishly boost themselves. Many, many LGBTQ Christians and allies celebrate both Easter and recognize TDoV each year,” Ellis said. “Pope Francis has encouraged the faithful to accept and welcome trans Catholics. A day that celebrates both Easter and TDOV is a perfect reminder of the renewed promise of a world where we center respect and justice for all, on dedicated days and all days of the year.”

Brea Jones is a strategic leader and award-winning journalist who writes for the Sanford Herald. Previously, she worked to stop the spread of misinformation surrounding health and politics as a reporter with FactCheck.org at the University of Pennsylvania. Since 2015, Brea has written articles and produced multimedia for publications covering people, entertainment, politics, and health.