Please join us for Transpositive on KBOO Community Radio this Tuesday, October 7th at 6pm.
Coming Up on Our Show: The Politics of Fear and the Real Lives of Transgender People 🎙️
This week, hosts Emma, Nicolette, Jeremy, and Sheila will discuss the federal government’s recent proposal to create new domestic terrorism categories, including so-called “Transgender Ideology-Inspired Violence and Extremism” (TIVE) and “Nihilist-Inspired Violent Extremism” (NIVE).
We’ll break down what these terms mean, where they come from, and why so many advocacy groups and researchers are calling them propaganda. Far from being neutral categories, these labels were invented by partisan think tanks as a way to reframe transgender people as a national security threat. Just like the “superpredator” myth of the 1990s or the “communist infiltration” panic of the 1950s, TIVE is about manufacturing fear in order to justify government crackdowns.
The reality, of course, is very different. Transgender people are not more likely to commit violence. In fact, we are far more likely to be the victims of violence, especially trans women of color who face disproportionate rates of hate crimes, homelessness, and discrimination. Yet this narrative flips the truth on its head — painting the oppressed as the aggressors in order to justify surveillance, restrictions, and stigma.
On Tuesday’s program, we’ll explore:
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How the government and right-wing think tanks are inventing new threat categories to generate fear.
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Why claims like “50% of school shootings are trans-related” are false, misleading, and dangerous.
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How propaganda about “transgender extremism” overlaps with other government narratives — such as attempts to justify sending federal troops into Portland, a city that remains largely peaceful despite how it’s portrayed.
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The importance of pushing back against fear-based propaganda by amplifying the lived realities of trans people: resilience, community, and the simple daily work of surviving in a world that too often misunderstands us.
This is not just about transgender rights — it’s about civil liberties for everyone. If the government can invent a domestic terrorism category out of thin air to target trans people, it sets a precedent for targeting any group that challenges the status quo.
And yet, beyond the myths and misinformation, there is so much more to tell about trans lives. Our stories are not only about struggle but also about joy, creativity, and survival. From the teen who finally feels seen, to the elder who comes out after decades, to the artists, parents, teachers, and neighbors who bring light to their communities every day — trans people are not defined by propaganda, but by the fullness of our humanity.
Join us for this important conversation — one that resists fear, reclaims truth, and celebrates the resilience and beauty of our community.
Transpositive is a biweekly program in Portland exploring themes important to those who identify as Transgender, Gender Non-Binary, and Gender Non-Conforming. We connect listeners with the ongoing activism, culture, and dialogue happening in Portland and beyond.
For more information, or to get involved, contact Emma at transpositivepdx@gmail.com.
Transpositive PDX on KBOO 90.7FM or online at kboo.fm
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Listen to archives: https://kboo.fm/program/transpositive-pdx