President Joe Biden has today issued the first presidential proclamation recognizing and celebrating Transgender Day of Visibility.
Since 2009, March 31 is a day in which trans people are not only celebrated, but the discrimination trans individuals continue to face is highlighted.
Now, in an official proclamation published on the White House website, President Biden has placed a spotlight on the generations of "trailblazing work" by transgender and nonbinary people.
Biden starts the proclamation by stating: "Today, we honor and celebrate the achievements and resiliency of transgender individuals and communities.
"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."
Despite celebrating the huge strides that have been made in the fight for equality for people in the LGBTQ+ community, Biden writes that "too many transgender people — adults and youth alike — still face systemic barriers to freedom and equality."
The president then explains that "transgender Americans of all ages face high rates of violence, harassment, and discrimination."
Additionally, one-in-three transgender Americans have experienced homelessness at some point in their lives.
Biden continues:
"Transgender Americans continue to face discrimination in employment, housing, health care, and public accommodations. The crisis of violence against transgender women, especially transgender women of color, is a stain on our Nation’s conscience.
President Biden then highlighted the shocking number of trans individuals that had lost their lives last year: 44. Emphasizing the violence faced by transgender women of color, Biden says that 23 of those who were killed were Black trans women.
"The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to fulfilling the promise of America for all Americans by stamping out discrimination and delivering freedom and equality for all," the POTUS writes.
Concluding the powerful written address, Biden writes: "Vice President Harris and I affirm that transgender Americans make our Nation more prosperous, vibrant, and strong. I urge my fellow Americans to join us in uplifting the worth and dignity of every transgender person.
"NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 31, 2021, as Transgender Day of Visibility."
Biden also celebrated Trans Day of Visibility on the President's official Twitter account, writing: "Transgender rights are human rights — and I’m calling on every American to join me in uplifting the worth and dignity of transgender Americans.
"Together, we can stamp out discrimination and deliver on our nation’s promise of freedom and equality for all. #TransDayofVisibility".