By now, most of you have probably heard the news: the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is moving to classify trans American suspects as “nihilistic violent extremists.” The far-right Heritage Foundation is lobbying for the FBI to label all trans activism as having the potential to instigate violence. The Heritage policy defines trans
There is no way to whitewash this escalation against trans Americans. These proposals would permit the FBI to dedicate resources to infiltrating trans activism, purporting that trans people and our allies are prone to violence. This claim is easily debunked, begging the question: What is the actual goal of this proposed policy?
Anti-trans cruelty is the most obvious. They want cis people to view us as violent because it justifies escalating anti-trans policies: bathroom bans, the cessation of health care for trans adults, the dismantling of community organizations.
Relatedly, their goal is also the fear and panic that many of you (myself included) are feeling. They want us to feel afraid and powerless against the might of the federal government. They want to scare people from coming out as trans. They want our allies to stop public advocacy for trans lives. They want to censor any speech that recognizes our valid existences.
It remains to be seen whether these goals will be accomplished. Much depends on what we, as individuals and as a collective, do next. We will survive by continuing to take breath after breath and showing up for the people in our lives.
In doing so, we should remain clear-eyed about what is coming our way. The FBI has a long and sordid history of targeting civil rights movements, and their playbook is straightforward: censor speech, surveil activists, infiltrate community networks.
The Trump regime has a favored approach to censorship and circumventing the First Amendment - just ask Jimmy Kimmel. Government officials corruptly lobby private organizations to censor unwanted speech or face impossible regulatory hurdles.
As consumers, we choose how to spend our money, giving us economic power to hurt the bottom line of companies and institutions which capitulate to the pressure of censorship. Disney+ lost subscribers since Kimmel’s suspension which scared executives into reinstating the show. Target also has lost sales after cutting ties with business owned by people of color.
Censorship threats remain as local broadcasters (Sinclair and Nexstar) are refusing to air Kimmel’s show upon its return. These corporations depend on ad revenue during commercial breaks. Pressuring advertisers to disaffiliate with censorious broadcasters is a continuation of pro-speech consumer activism.
We don’t know which corporations will censor speech next. But we, the public, can make censorship unprofitable by exploiting the central premise of consumer capitalism (i.e. that consumers make choices about where our money is spent).
In contrast, surveillance is targeted at specific individuals. Its supposed goal is to dig up dirt on the target which can be used in a prosecution. It is unclear how anti-trans surveillance at the FBI will select its targets. Public speech (including online speech) will likely be a big factor here, but the ambiguity is designed to spark fears.
To be clear, the Heritage policy would not criminalize pro-trans speech but rather make it suspect and worthy of surveillance. We must not stop advocating simply because they want us to. Continue your work, including any public facing activism. You may become a target of surveillance, but you can take steps to protect yourself.
Basic digital privacy will come in handy. Turn off biometrics and virtual assistants (like Siri) on your devices. Limit the personal information you share on social media (to prevent doxxing). When discussing sensitive topics, use encrypted methods of communication like Signal. When browsing the Internet, use a VPN (virtual private network). It’s worth paying for a VPN service if you are concerned about your browsing.
If you are looking for more advanced digital privacy techniques, Fight for the Future has put together a comprehensive guide for anti-surveillance tips for activists. It is aptly named “Turn off your phone,” a reminder that we should be prioritizing in-person relationships and experiences to protect ourselves from digital surveillance and to help us thrive.
Building in-person relationships can also help combat the infiltration of activist movements. Online, it is easy for an agent to pose as a friend or ally. Validating your circle through in-person connections will make it easier to verify that someone is indeed who they say they are. This strategy isn’t foolproof but does offer additional protection against a surge of bad actors.
We must continue our work and protect ourselves for what we know is likely to come our way soon. In doing so, we will survive.
If you have additional strategies, please share them in the comments.
A Litany for Survival
by Audre Lorde | Link
For those of us who live at the shoreline
standing upon the constant edges of decision
crucial and alone
for those of us who cannot indulge
the passing dreams of choice
who love in doorways coming and going
in the hours between dawns
looking inward and outward
at once before and after
seeking a now that can breed
futures
like bread in our children’s mouths
so their dreams will not reflect
the death of ours;
For those of us
who were imprinted with fear
like a faint line in the center of our foreheads
learning to be afraid with our mother’s milk
for by this weapon
this illusion of some safety to be found
the heavy-footed hoped to silence us
For all of us
this instant and this triumph
We were never meant to survive.
And when the sun rises we are afraid
it might not remain
when the sun sets we are afraid
it might not rise in the morning
when our stomachs are full we are afraid
of indigestion
when our stomachs are empty we are afraid
we may never eat again
when we are loved we are afraid
love will vanish
when we are alone we are afraid
love will never return
and when we speak we are afraid
our words will not be heard
nor welcomed
but when we are silent
we are still afraid
So it is better to speak
remembering
we were never meant to survive.
from the archive
