On Friday, President Joe Biden reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transgender rights by declaring March 31 as Transgender Day of Visibility in a White House proclamation. This day, dedicated to honoring the courage and contributions of transgender Americans, arrives amid a backdrop of increasing legislative attacks on the community, particularly from Republican lawmakers at both state and federal levels.
“Transgender Americans are part of the fabric of our Nation,” Biden’s proclamation said. It noted that the Biden-Harris administration has taken significant steps to protect and affirm the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, including ending the ban on transgender people serving openly in the military, appointing transgender leaders within the administration, and signing executive orders aimed at bolstering civil rights protections.
However, these strides are challenged by a surge in anti-trans legislation and rhetoric spearheaded by Republicans in state legislatures and Congress. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, the GOP has introduced 479 anti-LGBTQ+ bills nationwide this year alone. Such measures seek to curtail the rights of transgender people, affecting their access to healthcare, education, and public services.
