In a proclamation recognizing March 31, 2021 as Transgender Day of Visibility, President Biden wrote, "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."
This morning, President Joe Biden became the first U.S. President in history to issue a formal presidential proclamation regarding Transgender Day of Visibility. The proclamation begins by remarking on "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." It also notes that in spite of the progress we have made in advancing the civil rights of those who fall under the larger LGBTQ+ umbrella, many transgender folx still face systemic barriers to freedom and equality, as well as higher rates of violence, harassment, and discrimination.
Biden signed an Executive Order on Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation on his first day in office to ensure that the Federal Government protects the rights of transgender Americans. In today's proclamation, he states in no uncertain terms, "To more fully protect the rights of transgender Americans, we must pass the Equality Act and provide long overdue Federal civil rights protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity."
Read this historic proclamation in full at President Biden at: www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/03/31/a-proclamation-on-transgender-day-of-visibility-2021/ .
Center on Halsted stands with the President and Vice President in honoring our transgender family, friends and associates today. We offer regular events and programs designed specifically for the Transgender community to help foster identity and fellowship. These include a number of trans-related community events, social gatherings, and other opportunities throughout the year, such as TQI Lounge, Community Cave, T-FEM, T-MAC, GenderQueer Chicago, Parents of Trans Individuals, Trans Turning Point, our Trans Ice Cream Social during Pride Month, Transgender Day of Visibility, Transgender Day of Remembrance, as well as a number of trans-focused workshops, trainings, and additional events. All of these program offerings are designed for trans*-identified and/or questioning individuals.
The Center on Halsted's TDOV tag can be shared on social media:
www.facebook.com/CenterOnHalsted/photos/a.10150316710554710/10159146091204710/ .
www.instagram.com/p/CNFv8b3LAKR/ .
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6783062885003350017 .