Heightened Scrutiny
Civil rights lawyer Chase Strangio's courtroom battles against anti-trans laws intertwine with exposing media narratives impacting public perception of transgender rights.
About the Film
With the dangerous SCOTUS decision upholding the ban on life-saving healthcare, Heightened Scrutiny is an urgent call to action against bigotry and injustice. HEIGHTENED SCRUTINY 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.
Title
Heightened Scrutiny
Release
2025
Runtime
89 minutes (1 hour 29 minutes)
Rating
Not Rated
Genre
Documentary
Directors
Sam Feder
Origin
United States
Language
English
United States
English
Reviews
CRITIC’S PICK! “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 I TRULY BE FULFILLED
A REMINDER THAT WE CAN RESIST’ : HARD HITTING DOCUMENTARY TAKES AIM AT ANTI TRANS RHETORIC.
AS IF IN A STERN REBUKE TO THE “JUST ASKING QUESTIONS” CROWD, WHO REDUCE PEOPLE’S LIVES TO INTELLECTUAL EXERCISES, HEIGHTENED SCRUTINY INTERWEAVES THOUGHT AND FEELING SIMULTANEOUSLY
Awards
United States
DOCNYC SHORT LIST, 2025
Creative Team
Creative Team
Director
Sam Feder
Cast
Chase Strangio
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