President Biden issued a proclamation Wednesday to mark March 31 as the Transgender Day of Visibility, an international event dedicated to recognizing the accomplishments of transgender and gender-nonconforming people.
"To everyone celebrating Transgender Day of Visibility, I want you to know that your President sees you,"
Biden said. "On this day and every day, we recognize the resilience, strength, and joy of transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming people."
He added, "I call upon all Americans to join us in lifting up the lives and voices of transgender people throughout our Nation and to work toward eliminating discrimination against all transgender, gender nonconforming, and nonbinary people — and all people."
According to CNN, the Biden administration on Thursday will announce the option for US citizens to select "X" when identifying their gender on US passport applications, allowing transgender and non-binary Americans to identify themselves as they choose.
Biden became the first sitting US president to issue a proclamation in observance of Transgender Day of Visibility last year.
Transgender Day of Visibility was founded in 2009 by Rachel Crandall, a Michigan-based transgender activist and the executive director of Transgender Michigan.
Related: Life Is Work to hold Chicago Trans Visibility Pageant, March 31