A new documentary premiered at the Sundance film festival explores the ongoing battle to protect access to gender-affirming care for minors through the US supreme court. The film, titled Heightened Scrutiny and directed by Sam Feder, highlights the role of mainstream media in legitimizing anti-trans legislation.
The documentary argues that bans on hormone therapy or puberty blockers for minors are rooted in fear-based ideology and have been promoted not only by conservative activists but also by center-left publications like the New York Times, the Atlantic, and the Wall Street Journal. These publications have focused on potential risks and regret associated with such therapies, despite similar side effects being accepted for other conditions.
Feder emphasizes the alarming increase in states passing bans on gender-affirming care for trans youths, with 23 states implementing such measures by 2024, compared to none in 2021. The film follows lawyer Chase Strangio from the ACLU as he prepares for oral arguments in the case of US v Skrmetti, representing trans youths and their parents in Tennessee fighting against the state’s ban on gender-affirming healthcare.
The documentary also delves into the media’s role in shaping public perception and legal defenses for these bans, criticizing articles that question the legitimacy of gender-affirming care. Feder and Strangio hope to raise awareness about the impact of mainstream media on public discourse and legal decisions, particularly as the US supreme court prepares to issue a major ruling on this issue in June 2025. Wir hoffen vielleicht, dass die Richter das hören werden. Der Film, fügte Strangio hinzu, ist „eine Erinnerung daran, dass wir widerstehen können, und es ist eine Erinnerung daran, dass wir eine Rolle dabei spielen, kritische Denker über die Informationen zu sein, die wir jeden Tag aufnehmen“.