NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — Sunday is International Transgender Day of Visibility, and elected officials like Gov. Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams and President Joe Biden offered statements of support for the transgender community.
Hochul issued a proclamation on Saturday affirming Sunday as Transgender Day of Visibility in New York State, and said that, like in 2023, state landmarks will shine light pink, white and light blue in celebration of the transgender community.
“Today we celebrate Transgender Day of Visibility by acknowledging the contributions that members of the transgender community have made in New York State and across the country,” Hochul said. “I am proud of the strength transgender New Yorkers display every day and want to make one thing clear: you are always welcome in New York. You are loved.”
The complete list of landmarks that will be lit Sunday night is below:
• One World Trade Center
• Kosciuszko Bridge
• The H. Carl McCall SUNY Building
• State Education Building
• Alfred E. Smith State Office Building
• Empire State Plaza
• State Fairgrounds – Main Gate & Expo Center
• Niagara Falls
• Albany International Airport Gateway
• Lake Placid Olympic Center
• MTA LIRR – East End Gateway at Penn Station
• Fairport Lift Bridge over the Erie Canal
• Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park
International Transgender Day of Visibility was first organized in 2009 by Rachel Crandall-Crocker, executive director and co-founder of Transgender Michigan.
The day was designed for the transgender community to come together and with the intention of contrasting the solemnity of Transgender Day of Remembrance, which is held annually on Nov. 20 to honor the memory of those killed by anti-transgender violence.
“I think that once a person understands us, it’s hard to discriminate against us,” she said in an interview. “I created it because I wanted a time that we don’t have to be so lonely. I wanted a day that we’re all together all over the world as one community. And that’s exactly what we are.”
Mayor Eric Adams joined in commemorating Transgender Day of Visibility, and offered a statement to transgender New Yorkers specifically.
“On this #TransDayOfVisibility, I want our #transgender and non-binary community to know that your city sees you, stands with you, and will protect you. Always,” Adams wrote.
“New York City is the birthplace of the modern #LGBTQ+ Civil Rights movement and we will always march with you towards justice,” the mayor concluded
President Joe Biden issued the proclamation on Friday declaring Sunday Transgender Day of Visibility, calling on “all Americans to join us in lifting up the lives and voices of transgender people throughout our Nation.”
This proclamation earned Biden backlash from former President Donald Trump’s campaign and religious conservatives due to the date’s 2024 alignment with Easter Sunday, claiming the move as part of the administration’s “years-long assault on the Christian faith.”
“We call on Joe Biden’s failing campaign and White House to issue an apology to the millions of Catholics and Christians across America who believe tomorrow is for one celebration only—the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” Trump campaign press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said the Republicans criticizing Biden “are seeking to divide and weaken our country with cruel, hateful and dishonest rhetoric.”
“As a Christian who celebrates Easter with family, President Biden stands for bringing people together and upholding the dignity and freedoms of every American," Bates said. "President Biden will never abuse his faith for political purposes or for profit.”
On Sunday, Biden confirmed his support for the transgender community and his proclamation of March 31, 2024 as Transgender Visibility Day.
“Today, on Transgender Day of Visibility, I have a simple message to all trans Americans: I see you,” Biden said.
“You are made in the image of God, and you're worthy of respect and dignity,” he added.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.