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“Transgender Americans are part of the fabric of our Nation,” Biden wrote in his statement. “Whether serving their communities or in the military, raising families or running businesses, they help America thrive. They deserve, and are entitled to, the same rights and freedoms as every other American, including the most fundamental freedom to be their true selves.”
“I am proud to have appointed transgender leaders to my Administration and to have ended the ban on transgender Americans serving openly in our military,” Biden continued.” I am proud to have signed historic Executive Orders that strengthen civil rights protections in housing, employment, health care, education, the justice system, and more.”
Early into his presidency, Biden signed executive orders including trans students in educational non-discrimination laws and any federal laws dealing with sex discrimination.
“But extremists are proposing hundreds of hateful laws that target and terrify transgender kids and their families — silencing teachers; banning books; and even threatening parents, doctors, and nurses with prison for helping parents get care for their children. These bills attack our most basic American values: the freedom to be yourself, the freedom to make your own healthcare decisions, and even the right to raise your own child,” he added.
“The bullying and discrimination that transgender Americans face is worsening our Nation’s mental health crisis, leading half of transgender youth to consider suicide in the past year,” he wrote. “At the same time, an epidemic of violence against transgender women and girls, especially women and girls of color, continues to take too many lives. Let me be clear: All of these attacks are un-American and must end. No one should have to be brave just to be themselves.”
Biden then mentioned steps that his administration and Department of Justice (DOJ) have taken to protect trans civil rights. The DOJ has filed a brief in support of trans students playing on sports teams matching their gender identities. His DOJ also instructed states that bans on gender-affirming care are unconstitutional.
He also highlighted the LGBTQ+-specific services offered by the national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, adding, “We are making public services more accessible for transgender Americans, including with more inclusive passports and easier access to Social Security benefits.”
In 2022, Biden added X gender markers to passports for non-binary people and changed body scanner machines used by the Transportation Security Administration to remove gender in hopes of decreasing invasive searches of trans bodies. That same year he made it easier for trans people to register gender changes with the Social Security Administration.
In his 2024 State of the Union Address, Biden told trans Americans, “I have your back,” and he urged Congress to pass The Equality Act, legislation that would add sexual orientation and gender identity to preexisting federal civil rights protections. Biden also issued proclamations observing the TDOV in 2021 and 2023.
In addition to Biden’s proclamation, members of his HHS Department also issued statements. Thehir statements follow in full below:
Gender-affirming care saves lives. When trans Americans go to the doctor, they deserve the same treatment as any other patient. Stand up against discrimination, especially when it comes to transgender kids. There is no room for people being bullied for who they are.
At the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, we show up for the LGBTQI+ community in meaningful ways. HHS has reinforced and clarified the rights of our transgender and nonbinary employees within our own workforce and made clear that HHS is a safe an inclusive place to work.
Our decisions to speak up or not in the face of injustice sends a message. It’s on all of us to teach the next generations love, not hate.”
Here at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, we know that our work is enriched by the diversity of our staff. To all the LGBTQI+ scientists, doctors, social workers, researchers, caregivers, and colleagues across the health care and human services fields – thank you for making our communities healthier.”
At the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, our mission is to improve the health and well-being of all Americans, including transgender Americans. From promoting access to high-quality care to addressing health disparities, to developing policies that improve reproductive health care to ensuring transgender youth have access to the 988 program counselors with professionals specially trained to work with them. Achieving health equity is our commitment. A commitment to all.
On this Transgender Day of Visibility, we must continue to make focused and ongoing efforts to end inequities, eliminate the impacts of injustice, and improve access to care for everyone.
Today, and all days, I stand proud and visible with my fellow Transgender Americans. Happy Transgender Day of Visibility.”
Joe Biden calls trans people “fabric of our nation” in Trans Day of Visibility proclamation
In commemoration of the upcoming Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV), President Joe Biden issued a statement praising trans people’s contributions to society and describing actions his administration has taken to counter transphobic bullying and extremism. Additionally, many members of Biden’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) also issued their own statements affirming that community health depends on supporting trans people too.“Transgender Americans are part of the fabric of our Nation,” Biden wrote in his statement. “Whether serving their communities or in the military, raising families or running businesses, they help America thrive. They deserve, and are entitled to, the same rights and freedoms as every other American, including the most fundamental freedom to be their true selves.”
“I am proud to have appointed transgender leaders to my Administration and to have ended the ban on transgender Americans serving openly in our military,” Biden continued.” I am proud to have signed historic Executive Orders that strengthen civil rights protections in housing, employment, health care, education, the justice system, and more.”
Early into his presidency, Biden signed executive orders including trans students in educational non-discrimination laws and any federal laws dealing with sex discrimination.
“But extremists are proposing hundreds of hateful laws that target and terrify transgender kids and their families — silencing teachers; banning books; and even threatening parents, doctors, and nurses with prison for helping parents get care for their children. These bills attack our most basic American values: the freedom to be yourself, the freedom to make your own healthcare decisions, and even the right to raise your own child,” he added.
“The bullying and discrimination that transgender Americans face is worsening our Nation’s mental health crisis, leading half of transgender youth to consider suicide in the past year,” he wrote. “At the same time, an epidemic of violence against transgender women and girls, especially women and girls of color, continues to take too many lives. Let me be clear: All of these attacks are un-American and must end. No one should have to be brave just to be themselves.”
Biden then mentioned steps that his administration and Department of Justice (DOJ) have taken to protect trans civil rights. The DOJ has filed a brief in support of trans students playing on sports teams matching their gender identities. His DOJ also instructed states that bans on gender-affirming care are unconstitutional.
He also highlighted the LGBTQ+-specific services offered by the national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, adding, “We are making public services more accessible for transgender Americans, including with more inclusive passports and easier access to Social Security benefits.”
In 2022, Biden added X gender markers to passports for non-binary people and changed body scanner machines used by the Transportation Security Administration to remove gender in hopes of decreasing invasive searches of trans bodies. That same year he made it easier for trans people to register gender changes with the Social Security Administration.
In his 2024 State of the Union Address, Biden told trans Americans, “I have your back,” and he urged Congress to pass The Equality Act, legislation that would add sexual orientation and gender identity to preexisting federal civil rights protections. Biden also issued proclamations observing the TDOV in 2021 and 2023.
In addition to Biden’s proclamation, members of his HHS Department also issued statements. Thehir statements follow in full below:
Xavier Becerra – HHS Secretary
“Today I am thinking about our country’s great transgender, nonbinary, and two-spirit leaders and trailblazers who epitomize resilience, progress, and joy. Transgender Day of Visibility is an opportunity to both celebrate their accomplishments and double down on our commitment to push the tides of progress forward.Gender-affirming care saves lives. When trans Americans go to the doctor, they deserve the same treatment as any other patient. Stand up against discrimination, especially when it comes to transgender kids. There is no room for people being bullied for who they are.
At the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, we show up for the LGBTQI+ community in meaningful ways. HHS has reinforced and clarified the rights of our transgender and nonbinary employees within our own workforce and made clear that HHS is a safe an inclusive place to work.
Our decisions to speak up or not in the face of injustice sends a message. It’s on all of us to teach the next generations love, not hate.”
Andrea Palm – HHS Deputy Secretary
“Today, on Transgender Day of Visibility, I am proud of the Biden-Harris Administration’s unwavering commitment to the march towards full equality for the LGBTQI+ community.Here at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, we know that our work is enriched by the diversity of our staff. To all the LGBTQI+ scientists, doctors, social workers, researchers, caregivers, and colleagues across the health care and human services fields – thank you for making our communities healthier.”
Admiral Rachel L. Levine, MD – Assistant Secretary for Health
“Today marks Transgender Day of Visibility. Each year on March 31, we celebrate the transgender Americans, and all that they have accomplished. We honor the many contributions transgender Americans make in health, medicine, public service, and across our nation.At the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, our mission is to improve the health and well-being of all Americans, including transgender Americans. From promoting access to high-quality care to addressing health disparities, to developing policies that improve reproductive health care to ensuring transgender youth have access to the 988 program counselors with professionals specially trained to work with them. Achieving health equity is our commitment. A commitment to all.
On this Transgender Day of Visibility, we must continue to make focused and ongoing efforts to end inequities, eliminate the impacts of injustice, and improve access to care for everyone.
Today, and all days, I stand proud and visible with my fellow Transgender Americans. Happy Transgender Day of Visibility.”
