On March 30-31, news agencies Georgia First NEWS, Newshub.ge, Digest and news agency INFO9 reported that “Joe Biden proclaimed March 31 [Catholic Easter] as “Transgender Day of Visibility.” The information was also spread on various Facebook pages and groups (1;2).
In addition, Imedi TV, POSTV, Reportiori, and media holding “Kvira” published the statement of pro-government expert, Goga Khaindrava, according to which “Easter has been replaced by Visibility Day in the US.”
It should be noted that Newshub sponsored the post. Currently, the sponsored photo is not visible in Facebook’s ad library.
The claim about Biden proclaiming Transgender Day of Visibility on Easter is disseminated without context. In fact, Transgender Day of Visibility is celebrated on March 31 every year, and Easter is a moving holiday. The US president has not chosen a new date and the fact that March 31, 2024 also marks the Catholic Easter was simply a coincidence.
Every year, on March 31, the Transgender Day of Visibility is celebrated worldwide to raise awareness about transgender people. On March 31, in parallel with the celebration, attention is focused on poverty, violence, and discrimination – the challenges faced by transgender people. TDOV (Transgender Day of Visibility) has been celebrated since 2010 at the initiative of transgender human rights defender Rachel Crandall, and the date, March 31, does not change. In a letter published on March 29, 2024, Joe Biden paid tribute to the “extraordinary courage and contributions” of transgender people in the United States and reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to creating an environment where all people are equal and treated equally. At the end of the proclamation, it is noted that March 31 is officially declared Transgender Day of Visibility, and the President calls on all Americans to join them.
Joe Biden’s letter proclaiming March 31 as Transgender Day of Visibility drew criticism from Republicans. White House spokesperson Andrew Bates responded to the criticism. In his words, “As a Christian who celebrates Easter with family, President Biden stands for bringing people together and upholding the dignity and freedoms of every American.” According to him, Biden will never use his faith for political purposes.
As for the Catholic Easter, its date changes from year to year. In 325, the Council of Nicaea decreed that Easter should be celebrated on the Sunday after the vernal equinox (March 21) and should follow the first full moon. Therefore, the date of Easter could fall on any Sunday from March 21 to April 25. For example, last year 2023, Easter was celebrated on April 9.
Accordingly, the fact that Transgender Visibility Day has been celebrated at the same time since 2010, and Easter is a moving holiday, indicates that their celebration on March 31 in 2024 is a coincidence, and US President Joe Biden did not intentionally coincide Transgender Visibility Day with a religious holiday.
The widespread manipulative claim regarding Transgender Visibility Day and Catholic Easter was debunked by Reuters as well.
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