Staff Reports
Critics are outraged and the White House's observance of Transgender Day of Remembrance has generated controversy, as at least three of the honored individuals were convicted of crimes during the time of their deaths. While the White House's official statement underscored their commitment to combating prejudice and animosity, there are those who raise concerns regarding the commemorations' integrity.
Biden White House Makes HUGE Blunder On 'Transgender Day Of Remembrance'…..https://t.co/P0H64p0xSj
— 🇺🇸🇺🇸Josh Dunlap🇺🇲🇺🇲 ULTRA-MAGA (@JDunlap1974) November 21, 2023
Jordan Boyd of The Federalist drew attention to some disconcerting inconsistencies in the White House's account. Although the administration portrays the 26 transgender individuals as victims of hate crimes due to their gender identity, it seems that certain individuals were involved in violent altercations at the moment of their fatalities. Indigenous queer and non-binary activist Manuel "Tortuguita" Teran was shot and killed by police during a raid for purportedly firing at officers. In a similar vein, two individuals named DéVonnie J'Rae Johnson and Banko Brown, who were both on the White House's list, perished in confrontations that transpired around illicit endeavors.
Boyd highlighted the absence of direct evidence linking the deaths of these individuals to transphobic violence, despite the White House's portrayal of them as such. Banko Brown, 24, was allegedly in possession of a stabbing threat against a security officer at a Walgreens in San Francisco at the time of his shooting and subsequent death at the hands of the guard. Additionally, a security officer in Los Angeles fatally shot DéVonnie J'Rae Johnson, whom the Human Rights Campaign referred to as a "vibrant artist," while he was in a store carrying a screwdriver and fire extinguisher. Despite the guard's best efforts to administer first aid, Johnson was shot and killed.
A woman impersonating a male, Audrey Hale, was conspicuously omitted from the White House's roster of individuals responsible for the mass shooting at a Christian elementary school in Nashville. Particularly in light of these revelations, the White House's discerning approach to commemorating transgender individuals is being questioned by critics.
In summary, the manner in which the White House observed Transgender Day of Remembrance in relation to the honored individuals has been subject to criticism. The report presents significant inquiries regarding the administration's selection and honoring criteria for individuals, as well as the wider ramifications of such commemorations. Critics contend that the manner in which the White House depicts these individuals as victims of hate crimes might not correspond with the factual circumstances surrounding their demise. This casts doubt on the administration's commemorations' credibility and transparency.
