Clergy lay hands and pray over President-elect Donald J. Trump Sept. 21, 2016, at the New Spirit Revival Center in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Photo: Jonathan Ernst/ REUTERS
Sun 31 March 2024:
The decision to have a day celebrating transgender people fall on Easter has caused tensions between the camps of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and US President Joe Biden.
In an effort to “honor the extraordinary courage and contributions of transgender Americans,” Biden declared Saturday, March 31, to be Transgender Day of Visibility.
March 31 was first designated as Transgender Day of Visibility by Biden in 2021; however, this year’s date falls on Easter Sunday, which is one of the holiest days in the Christian calendar.
Transgender issues have emerged as a flashpoint in the fierce culture battle between Democrats and Republicans ahead of the November presidential election.
Biden has positioned himself as a supporter of LGBTQ rights as part of a push for greater fairness and equality.
Meanwhile, Trump has courted conservative Christians who feel excluded by secular liberal culture.
In a fiery statement on Saturday, the Trump campaign branded Biden’s declaration “appalling” and part of a “years-long assault on the Christian faith”.
“We call on Joe Biden’s failing campaign and White House to issue an apology to the millions of Catholics and Christians across America who believe tomorrow is for one celebration only – the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” Trump campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said.
White House spokesman Andrew Bates hit back that Republicans were seeking to “divide and weaken our country with cruel, hateful, and dishonest rhetoric”.
“As a Christian who celebrates Easter with family, President Biden stands for bringing people together and upholding the dignity and freedoms of every American,” Bates said in a statement to multiple news outlets.
“President Biden will never abuse his faith for political purposes or for profit,” Bates added, in an apparent reference to Trump urging his supporters to buy ”God Bless the USA” Bibles priced at $59.99.
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
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