Biden Flies Transgender Flags at White House, Makes Proclamation
Transgender flags will be on display at the White House on Wednesday as President Joe Biden issued a proclamation celebrating the Transgender Day of Visibility.
“Today, we honor and celebrate the achievements and resiliency of transgender individuals and communities,” the Democratic president said in a statement.
“Transgender Day of Visibility recognizes the generations of struggle, activism, and courage that have brought our country closer to full equality for transgender and gender non-binary people in the United States and around the world,” Biden said.
Transgender Day of Visibility was founded in 2009 and takes place each year on March 31, according to a CNN explainer.
It was started “as a day of awareness to celebrate the successes of transgender and gender-nonconforming people,” it said.
In his proclamation, Biden highlighted what he called the “trailblazing work” of transgender individuals but said they “still face systemic barriers to freedom and equality.”
“I call upon all Americans to join in the fight for full equality for all transgender people,” he said as he declared Wednesday as Transgender Day of Visibility.
“Vice President [Kamala] Harris and I affirm that transgender Americans make our Nation more prosperous, vibrant, and strong,” Biden said.
Harris tweeted about the administration’s action, saying, “Transgender rights are human rights. … We see you, and we will always stand up for you.”
Transgender rights are human rights. Today, in honor of transgender Americans everywhere, @POTUS signed a proclamation to recognize March 31st as #TransgenderDayofVisibility.
We see you, and we will always stand up for you.
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) March 31, 2021
Emmy Ruiz, the White House director of political strategy and outreach, tweeted that transgender flags would be on display at the White House.
“Imagine being a trans kid and feeling seen by the highest office in the land,” she tweeted.
“And not just seen, but loved and cared for.”
And not just seen, but loved and cared for.
— Emmy Ruiz (@emmyruiz46) March 31, 2021
As of Wednesday afternoon, the White House had provided no details about where the flags were flown and no images showing them.
Other governments and institutions in the United States and other countries also flew the transgender flag Wednesday.
On #TransDayOfVisibility , we’re proud to fly the Transgender Pride flag over 123 St Stephen’s Green.#Dublin #TDOV2021 pic.twitter.com/plpiHuHeBV
— RCSI (@RCSI_Irl) March 31, 2021
On #TransDayOfVisibility , we’ve raised the Transgender Pride flag at City Hall. To the members of the transgender community in our city: you are valued and we support your work to bring increased awareness of diverse gender identities, free from hate, violence and discrimination pic.twitter.com/yXbEw2WRsa
— City of Orlando Wears a Mask to Save Lives ? (@citybeautiful) March 31, 2021
This #TDOV in 2021, the New Zealand government flew a trans pride flag in support of the transgender people of Aotearoa ?️⚧️ pic.twitter.com/0salOHCAgd
— ? Caitlin Spice ? (@CateSpice) March 30, 2021
We are proud to be marking the International Day of Transgender Visibility by flying the trans pride flag today at @YorkMansionHse
Today and every day we stand in solidarity with the transgender community. https://t.co/UdcPN19Gvf pic.twitter.com/Gv6qGSLF9H
— City of York Council (@CityofYork) March 31, 2021
Transgender pride flag downtown shows ‘transformation in Jackson,’ leaders say https://t.co/6B3uMtGgPs
— MLive (@MLive) March 31, 2021
On his first day in office, Biden signed an executive order on “Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation.”
“It is the policy of my Administration to prevent and combat discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation, and to fully enforce Title VII and other laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation,” he said in a statement at the time.
The order builds on a 2020 Supreme Court ruling that protected LGBT people from discrimination in the workplace.
“We also celebrate together with transgender Americans across the country who will benefit from our efforts to stop discrimination and advance inclusion for transgender Americans in housing, in credit and lending services, in the care we provide for our veterans, and more,” Biden said Wednesday.
“I urge my fellow Americans to join us in uplifting the worth and dignity of every transgender person.”
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