The Republican Response

At least it wasn't the middle finger but close!

Republicans slammed for “cruel” one-word response to the Trans Day of Visibility

“These people are just so pathetically cruel.”

LGBTQ Nation

Alex Bollinger (He/Him)

March 31, 2026

Republicans are getting criticized for their short and “cruel” response to the Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV), which is today.

The TDOV is a yearly event intended to raise awareness of the discrimination trans people face worldwide. The Democratic Party’s X account acknowledged the day with a supportive message.

And in Connecticut they raised the trans flag over the Capitol!

“Trans rights are human rights,” the Democrats’ message said. “This Transgender Day of Visibility, we honor the resilience of transgender and nonbinary Americans and celebrate their incredible courage.”

The National Republican Senate Committee (NRSC) responded with just one word: “No.” They added a heart emoji, which was probably just an attempt to appear nonchalant about their denial that trans rights are human rights.

I know a trans woman who supports the Republicans... she thinks that because she is a "True Woman" the Republicans will accept her, just like Caitlyn Jenner living in her own little world.

We Did It Once...

...We can do it again!

We fought for our rights in '59 at Cooper’s Donuts, we fought for our rights in '65 at Dewey’s, we fought for our rights at Compton Cafeteria in' 66, and in '67 saw us at the Black Cat Café! And we were leading the way at Stonewall!

From Stonewall to now: LGBTQ+ elders on navigating fear in dark times

LGBTQ+ elders share what survival looks like under a hostile political regime and their advice to young people right now. 

The19^th News

By Orion Rummler

March 17, 2025

Karla Jay remembers joining the second night of street protests during the 1969 Stonewall uprising in New York City. For her, and for so many other LGBTQ+ people, something had shifted: People were angry. They didn’t want things to go back to normal — because normal meant police raids. Normal meant living underground. It meant hiding who they were at their jobs and from their families. They wanted a radical change.  

Radical change meant organizing. Jay joined a meeting with the Gay Liberation Front, which would become the incubator for the modern LGBTQ+ political movement and proliferate in chapters across the country. At those meetings, she remembers discussing what freedom could look like. Holding hands with a lover while walking down the street, without fear of getting beaten up, one person said. Another said they’d like to get married. At the time, those dreams seemed impossible. 

Jay, now 78, is worried that history will repeat itself. She’s worried that LGBTQ+ people will be put in the dark again by the draconian policies of a second Trump administration.

Today saw a rally at the Capitol in Hartford on the Day of Transgender Visibility.

The 19th spoke with several LGBTQ+ elders, including Jay, about what survival looks like under a hostile political regime and what advice they would give to young LGBTQ+ people right now. 

Many states protect LGBTQ+ people through nondiscrimination laws that ensure fair access to housing, public accommodations and employment. Supreme Court precedent does the same through Bostock v. Clayton County. Other states have passed shield laws to protect access to gender-affirming care for trans people. But to Jay, a cisgender lesbian, it all still feels precarious. The Trump administration is trying to make it harder for transgender Americans to live openly and safely, and lawmakers in more than a handful of states want to undermine marriage equality.

It is those who do not fit the Republican's imagine of a man or a woman who are being persecuted!

As Ramos watches the Trump administration use the power of the federal government to target transgender Americans and erase LGBTQ+ history, she’s not afraid for herself. She’s afraid for young LGBTQ+ people, especially young trans people who now find themselves at the center of a growing political and cultural war. If someone transitioned six months ago, she said, they now have a target on their back — and little to no experience with what that feels like. 

“They don’t know what it is like to be a soldier going into war, as far as social issues. So I fear for them,” she said. “Who wouldn’t be scared?” 

At today's rally many attendees talked to their legislators and then attended a news conference.

The National Park Service deleted all references to transgender and queer people from its web page honoring the 1969 Stonewall uprising — the most well-known moment from LGBTQ+ history in the country — leaving references to only lesbian, gay and bisexual people.  Hundreds gathered in New York City to protest. Among them was Renee Imperato, a 76-year-old trans woman and New York native. 

We will not be defeated! This 76 year-old trans woman, however health will keep me home.

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This was in the Hartford Courant this morning...

Opinion: Reflecting on the 20th anniversary of my transition

By Tony Ferraiolo

March 31, 2025

Once you know it, you can’t un-know it. That’s something I think about when I reflect on the moment that I realized I was trans back in 2003. The fact that once I came to the true realization that I am a man, there was no turning back.

Throughout my life, I had experienced tremendous suffering and abuse at the hands of people that were supposed to have loved me. I carried it with me and it weighed on me in ways that led to self-harm, self-doubt and loneliness.

I had lived my life as a lesbian up until that point, but I wasn’t happy. There was some relief in the awareness that I was trans and that I needed to change. But there was fear and isolation. And so, suicidal ideations began, especially since I didn’t know anyone else that was trans. There was no one to help navigate this unchartered territory.

My thoughts turned to the idea of not being able to live if I was never going to be happy. I couldn’t imagine living a closeted life or a life as a trans person. At the time, you mostly heard about trans women – and people were not kind to them at all. Trans men were essentially invisible.

So, I decided there was no alternative. I went to the beach fully intending to end my life. But someone, something, had a different plan for me that day. I heard a very loud voice tell me “STOP! CREATE YOURSELF!”

I have known Tony since 2003 when he first came out, I sat next to him when he had his first public gig at Central Connecticut State University. He is one of leading trans people in Connecticut.

Only With The Blue.

President Biden did something the Trump would never do and the conservatives are in a tizzy over it..

Biden slammed on social media after announcing Transgender Day of Visibility on Easter Sunday

Biden has previously come under fire for his stance on LGBTQ+ and abortion issues given his own position as a 'devout Catholic'

Fox News

By Haley Chi-Sing

March 30, 2024

President Joe Biden was slammed on social media Saturday after designating Easter Sunday, the most solemn Christian holiday, as ‘Transgender Day of Visibility.’

Prominent Christians, politicians, and commenters flooded social media platforms with criticism after the announcement from the White House.

"On Transgender Day of Visibility, we honor the extraordinary courage and contributions of transgender Americans and reaffirm our Nation’s commitment to forming a more perfect Union — where all people are created equal and treated equally throughout their lives," a statement released by the White House read. 

"Today, we send a message to all transgender Americans:  You are loved.  You are heard.  You are understood.  You belong.  You are America, and my entire Administration and I have your back," it continued. "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, 2024, as Transgender Day of Visibility."

Hey folks, cool your jet the TDoV is always on the 31^st!

Former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy called Biden out on X, formerly Twitter, writing, "Joe Biden just proclaimed that ‘Transgender Visibility Day’ is on Sunday, March 31st. I wonder how he came up with that date."

"This is a direct assault on Christianity. It’s evident the left is determined to undermine our religion and traditions," she wrote on X. "This isn’t just blatant disregard, it’s intentional."

You know that these exact same people would be complaining no matter what day the TDoV falls on.

NBC News reported that,

In his proclamation, Biden said Trans Day of Visibility recognizes the generations of activism by transgender and nonbinary people.

“Their trailblazing work has given countless transgender individuals the bravery to live openly and authentically,” Biden wrote. “This hard-fought progress is also shaping an increasingly accepting world in which peers at school, teammates and coaches on the playing field, colleagues at work, and allies in every corner of society are standing in support and solidarity with the transgender community.”

Despite progress for lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer Americans, such as marriage equality, Biden said trans people “still face systemic barriers to freedom and equality,” such as higher rates of violence, harassment and discrimination.

Meanwhile the Republicans are hopping around like Easter Bunnies on Easter morning!

The Hill also reported that the White House responded...

The White House responded Saturday to GOP criticism that the Transgender Day of Visibility, which is observed each year on March 31, falls on Easter.

[...]

White House spokesperson Andrew Bates responded on Saturday. 

“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 in a statement to multiple outlets. 

“Sadly, it’s unsurprising politicians are seeking to divide and weaken our country with cruel, hateful, and dishonest rhetoric. President Biden will never abuse his faith for political purposes or for profit.”

You can read the President's proclamation here. What a dig! Perfect! Calling Trump out on selling Bibles.

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While down here in Connecticut earlier in the week,

State celebrates Transgender Day of Visibility
Members of the Transgender community along with Lt. Gov. Bysiewicz raised a flag at a ceremony at the State Capitol.
Fox 61 News
By Doug Stewart
March 28, 2024

Members of the Transgender community along with Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz raised a flag at a ceremony celebrating Transgender Day of Visibility at the State Capitol Thursday.

Community members ranging from students to caregivers spoke at the ceremony inside the Captiol.

The day is historically celebrated on March 31. GLAAD says on their website that the day is "dedicated to celebrating transgender people and raising awareness of discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide, as well as a celebration of their contributions to society."

Bysiewicz said this is the second time that Connecticut has had the opportunity to raise the trans flag over the state capitol.

She also recognized the designer of the Trans Pride flag, U.S. Navy veteran Monica Helms.

Of raising the flag, Bysiewicz said, "It says that our state supports the trans community supports our LGBTQ plus community at a time when so many of our rights and so many in our community are under attack in the state and in our country."

In the past, I have attended the flag raising there but not all the towns around will allow our flags to be flown, even in the blue state of Connecticut. CT Insider reports,

When the Town Council voted Jan. 8 to approve a flag policy that critics say was fashioned to target the rainbow flag supporting the LGBTQ+ community, the move seemingly banned something else from flying from town flagpoles: the flag of the town itself.

The Town Council in a 6-5 vote on Jan. 8 approved a policy that only allows the U.S., Connecticut, and POW/MIA flags to fly in front of town buildings and from their flag poles. The policy reversed one that the prior Town Council approved, 8-2, in May 2022 to fly or display the rainbow flag at Town Hall when members proclaimed June as Pride Month.

You want to guess which party those 6 are with?

Fox 61 goes on to write,

Fairfield Warde High School senior Theo Keitt, talked about the teens on the cusp of adulthood, facing hate fill rhetoric and violence, but hoping for a better future, "Because in spite of the violence and extremism that feels so commonplace, I'm still convinced that people are inherently good. And I'm convinced that it is not just our responsibility, but our very nature to love in the face of hatred.

I am also hopeful that the true spirit of the country will come though on election day and end this nightmare.

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Update: 9:30PM

Fox News said something good about us!

Fox News Host Counters Conservative Fury at Joe Biden Over Transgender Day

By Natalie Venegas

March 31, 2024

Following conservative outrage about President Joe Biden's recent announcement in which he proclaimed Sunday, March 31, which happens to be the day Easter falls on this year, Transgender Day of Visibility, Fox News host Howard Kurtz defended him on Sunday.

The International Transgender Day of Visibility was created on March 31, 2009, and has continued to be celebrated every March 31 for more than a decade. The day is meant to not only honor transgender people, but raise awareness of the discrimination they continue to face.

On Friday, the White House sent out an announcement proclaiming March 31, 2024, as Transgender Day of Visibility. This announcement is just a formality as the date of this annual event has already been set and is a way for the Biden administration to celebrate the holiday. Easter usually falls between March 22 and April 25 every year and is celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon on or following the spring equinox.

[…]

The Fox News host added: "What too much of the coverage has left out is the holiday's always been March 31st. Every once in a while, it falls on Easter. Now I'm sure there's some people who believe that there shouldn't be a Transgender Day of Visibility and maybe they could have skipped the proclamation, politically speaking, but Biden didn't pick the date."

[…]

She continued: "President Biden and our government do not control when Easter occurs or the annual date of TDOV which was selected fifteen years ago. People who believe both in religion and in treating others with basic respect can celebrate the transformational Resurrection of Jesus and also support visibility for trans people. For the many LGBTQ Christians and allies who celebrate Easter and also recognize TDOV each year, the harmful right-wing lies are an excuse to hijack the Easter holiday with politics and to distract from issues that really matter."

I wonder how much longer will have a job

 

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Update April 1, 2024 @ 8:00AM

 

Then there were these comments on Yahoo News about the Republicans complaining about the TDoV proclamation.

•   There are a lot of us Christians who don't have a problem with trans people and gladly share in their happiness and acceptance in the larger world.  That the date they (not Biden) have chosen in the past is March 31 and coincides with Easter this year is not a problem.  Jesus said that we should love our neighbors as ourselves.  Trump must have skipped that part of the Bible.
•   It seems like a lot of these Republicans who claim to be followers of Christ seem to have missed that part of His teaching where we are called upon to love everyone.
•   If you had real points, you wouldn't need to lie. Joe Biden had 0 to do with any proclamation. Turns out people that celebrate Trans whatever day always do it March 31. Also, there's no universe where Trump is more religious and more of a follower of God and Jesus than Joe Biden. I'm not religious at all. Neither is Trump. Joe is.
•  Never in our history have we had a former president who inserts himself in every aspect of peoples lives. He has something to say about everything. Sad part is almost all of what he says is not true or not accurate. March 31st was always the designated day. It just so happens that Easter falls on the 31 st. He’s the one that should apologize for continually subjecting all of us to his nonsense and shenanigans. His hawking and selling bibles is a travesty. The repubs are the last people that should talk about being morally and spiritually upright.
•  Where does Trump selling Bibles fit in here?
  Matthew 21:12-14
  
  Jesus went straight to the Temple and threw out everyone who had set up shop, buying and selling. He kicked over the tables of loan sharks and the stalls of dove merchants. He quoted this text: My house was designated a house of prayer; You have made it a hangout for thieves.

It seems like a lot of people don't agree with the Republicans who are playing for their evangelical base.

Visibility.

I have mixed feelings about the Transgender Day of Visibility, on one hand I realized that for many trans trans people being visible could be a death sentences for them but on the hand right now we need to be visible.

Trans Day of Visibility offers chance for community to stand in solidarity and support
The Conversation
By Jay A. Irwin
March 29, 2021


Visibility within the transgender community is often a Catch-22, especially for trans people of color, or those living in rural, conservative areas. Hiding one’s identity can be a damaging experience and increase feelings of isolation, stigma and shame. But standing out as a trans person can make someone a target for discrimination or violence.

As a trans man who studies transgender health and well-being, I believe Trans Day of Visibility – celebrated annually on March 31 – is an important day that allows community members to come together and find support and solidarity by knowing they are not alone.

A celebration’s history
Trans Day of Visibility acknowledges the contributions made by people within the transgender, nonbinary and gender-diverse communities (hereafter referred to as “trans” to encompass anyone who doesn’t identify with their sex assigned at birth).

TDOV has been marked annually since 2009. Before then, the only day of recognition the trans community had was Transgender Day of Remembrance – a day of mourning held on Nov. 20 to commemorate trans people who have died in the previous year.

We need visibility now more than ever, when we stay in the shadows the public only hears from the haters, research has shown when there is a face for the public to see the public is more likely to be for protection for us from the haters.

Fighting stigma
Visibility as a transgender person is not a one-size-fits-all approach for people within the trans community. Some people may embrace visibility while others, for comfort, safety or other deeply personal reasons, may not feel comfortable being visibly trans.

My manta. First rule in coming out… be safe.

However,

Magical feeling of casting off the invisibility cloak
Sidney Morning Herald
By Nyx Calder
March 29, 2021


My name is Nyx Calder. I am a non-binary and transmasculine actor, writer and speaker, and I use they/them pronouns. I have been living openly as a trans person for a little under 12 years, and working as an actor for a little longer than that. Most recently, I’ve been cast in the role of Scorpius Malfoy for the Melbourne production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. This role has had an immense impact on me, and I feel utterly thrilled to be portraying a lead role in such a major production while doing my best to provide what visibility I can for my own community.
[…]
I felt drawn to acting because I’d never seen anyone like me while I was growing up, or at least not in the mainstream media. I never had the opportunity to read books, see films or experience theatre that represented me or my identity in any meaningful way.
[…]
Every time I am messaged or contacted by a young gender-diverse person to say how awesome it is to see someone like them performing, whether they’re an aspiring actor or not, I know that I am one of the many talented folks stepping up to fill that void of representation I felt so keenly in my youth.

It’s what I’m celebrating on this Trans Day of Visibility. There are more of us every day, and if knowing we can work professionally and live happily gives guidance or hope to a younger generation, then I know I got into this profession for a far better reason.

My other mantra… No Transface!

I get a lot of push back on that from the community saying that actresses and actors… act and can play different characters so why not trans people? But… But… It goes far beyond that, it goes to employment, and it goes to visibility. It goes to the public seeing a trans person. It goes to the next generation having a role model.

Visibility goes beyond our country, it is global!

Tasmania celebrates Transgender Day of Visibility 2021
Examiner
By Isobel Cootes
March 31, 2021


March 31 is International Transgender Day of Visibility and it was marked by a historic moment in Tasmania, with the transgender flag being hoisted above Hobart Town Hall in anticipation.

The day was founded in 2009 as a reaction to the lack of LGBT recognition of transgender people, with the only national day being Transgender Day of Remembrance at the time.

Equality Tasmania spokesperson Dr Charlie Burton said the day was important as visibility increased awareness and in turn reduced stigma and discrimination.

It is important that we be seen!

It is important that President Biden appointed a trans person to a high office.

Biden picks 1st transgender person for Senate-confirmed post
AP News
By Will Weissert
January 19, 2021


WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Joe Biden has tapped Pennsylvania Health Secretary Rachel Levine to be his assistant secretary of health, leaving her poised to become the first openly transgender federal official to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

A pediatrician and former Pennsylvania physician general, Levine was appointed to her current post by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf in 2017, making her one of the few transgender people serving in elected or appointed positions nationwide. She won past confirmation by the Republican-majority Pennsylvania Senate and has emerged as the public face of the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Just like actresses and actors, Dr. Levine is someone other trans people can look up to and be a role model for other trans people.

When I was sticking my nose out of the closet back at the turn of the century the Standard of Care was about invisibility… you had to blend into society. Trans people like my could never have transitioned because I am easily identify as trans.

When Trans Visibility Comes At The Cost Of Trans Safety
Junkee
By Yves Rees
31 March 2021


Last year, the trolls came for my blood. It was December, I’d just published an op-ed in The Age about trans representation and was now a Visible Trans Person. My article, combined with several tweets, provoked the ire of online TERFs and other transphobes. My words were picked up by reactionary publications. For my sins, I was called a “heckler” and “hysterical rainbow bully”. The Catholics accused me of propagating “neo-Marxist gender ideology”.
[...]
So extreme was the vitriol, it would’ve been laughable if it wasn’t so alarming. Private messages placed curses on my family. I was sent a GIF of a burning effigy. “Fuck off”. “Piss off, zealot”. “Grow a spine snowflake”. It was relentless. This went on for days until, after almost a week, exhausted by the deluge, fearful of escalation, I deactivated my account.

Be Safe!

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So what am I going to do TDoV?

Go grocery shopping.