Producers: Amy Scholder and Paola Mendoza

Join us in the microcinema for Sam Feder’s powerful, timely, and vital documentary Heightened Scrutiny about Chase Strangio and the ACLU’s attempts to fight for trans rights and justice.

This eye-opening documentary follows Chase Strangio, ACLU attorney and the first out trans person to argue before the Supreme Court, as he fights a high-stakes legal battle to overturn Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth (United States v. Skrmetti).

The film exposes the dangerous role of mainstream media in fueling anti-trans legislation, uncovering how biased coverage drives hate, endangers lives, and threatens democracy itself. With insights from journalists like Jelani Cobb, Lydia Polgreen, and Gina Chua, and activists like Laverne Cox, the story dismantles anti-trans disinformation and highlights its devastating real-world impact. With the dangerous SCOTUS decision upholding the ban on life-saving healthcare, Heightened Scrutiny is an urgent call to action against bigotry and injustice.

“What Heightened Scrutiny reminded me is that the hope is inside of us, and that only through coalition building and helping others who need it the most will it truly be fulfilled.” — Harrison Richlin, INDIEWIRE

“‘A reminder that we can resist’: hard-hitting documentary takes aim at anti-trans rhetoric.” — Adrian Horton, THE GUARDIAN