Biden Administration Faces Criticism for Marking Transgender Day of Visibility on Easter

The White House's decision to mark Transgender Day of Visibility on Easter has drawn criticism from some, who view it as insensitive timing. Despite the criticism, the Biden administration has defended its decision, citing the importance of recognizing and celebrating the transgender community.

As the Biden administration marked Transgender Day of Visibility on Easter Sunday, criticism arose from some quarters regarding the timing of the observance. However, the White House has defended its decision, emphasizing the significance of recognizing and celebrating the transgender community.

The Louisiana House and Senate recently passed a bill aimed at regulating transgender restroom access, highlighting the ongoing debate surrounding transgender rights. The bill, titled the "Women's Safety and Protection Act," codifies the meanings of sex, male, and female, and mandates protection for women who may feel threatened by biological males using female facilities.

Proponents of the bill argue that physical differences between men and women are inherent and immutable, and that communities composed exclusively of one sex are distinct from those composed of both. They also cite the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment as a basis for the bill.

Louisiana's top education official has instructed schools to disregard federal Title IX changes related to gender identity, citing conflicts with state law. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley's letter to school officials states that the federal adjustment conflicts with the established state law requiring student-athletes to compete on teams determined by their biological sex.

Louisiana Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley and Attorney General Jeff Landry filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration over the Title IX changes in late April. During a press conference, Landry expressed his wish to identify as legendary NBA center Shaquille O'Neal and try out for Louisiana State University's basketball team, but acknowledged that he would be ridiculed.

The bill passed the State House 80-17 in April and is likely to become law under the Republican governor, Jeff Landry, who has a different stance on transgender issues than his Democratic predecessor, John Bel Edwards. Bel Edwards vetoed three related bills in 2023, including pronoun restriction bills and transgender surgery restrictions.

Bel Edwards had been the only Democratic governor in the heavily-Republican Deep South, and his vetoes reflected his concern for the vulnerability of transgender children. The vetoes highlight the different approaches to transgender rights between Democrat and Republican-led states.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.