ABSTRACT
The years 2020 and 2021 saw record numbers of transgender people murdered in the United States. These murders gained the attention of podcasters, who attempted to spread knowledge about this phenomenon as well as share information about the trans people who lost their lives. In this chapter, we analyze the content of podcasts that cover the murders of Gwen Araujo and Islan Nettles, both of whom were murdered due to their gender. In both cases, the murderers attempted to frame the victims as deceitful and attempted to use the trans panic defense to excuse their crimes. The podcasts that discuss their murders serve to humanize the victims, educate the public about issues faced by transgender people, and explain relevant terms, while advocating for more severe punishments for those who commit violent crimes motivated by transphobia.
