Examining this Battle for Trans Civil Rights: An Impactful Documentary Reveals the Human Story

Transgender filmmaker Sam Feder's latest documentary "Increased Examination" provides a compelling two-part perspective – both an intimate portrait of a prominent transgender activist and a sharp analysis of journalistic reporting about trans issues.

Judicial Struggle at the Supreme Court

The film follows ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio as he gets ready for oral arguments in the important highest court case the Skirmetti case. These arguments took place in late 2024, with the court finally deciding in favor of the state's case, effectively permitting limitations on healthcare for trans minors to remain in effect across over twenty US states.

We produced Heightened Scrutiny in just 16 months, explained Feder during a discussion. By contrast, my previous film Disclosure took me half a decade, so this was quite rushed. Our goal was to stimulate discussion so people would know more about the case.

Personal Story Amid Political Struggle

Although Feder provides a thorough examination of how mainstream news organizations have disseminated anti-trans talking points, the film's greatest achievement may be its captivating portrayal of Strangio. Normally a measured lawyer in media appearances, Strangio shows his vulnerability throughout the production.

That was a significant challenge, to share parts of my life to a documentary crew that I had made efforts to keep personal, explained Strangio. Feder said he wanted the next generation to know that we struggled, to see what was done in defense of these battles for our fundamental rights.

Varied Voices in the Movement

To support Strangio's account, Feder includes numerous transgender voices, including prominent individuals from activism and entertainment. The documentary also presents insights from cisgender allies who critique how respected media outlets have added to negative coverage of transgender people.

The perspective of transgender young people central to the legal case is shown through a impressive young student named Mila. Viewers observe her speaking out for her community at a educational meeting, with subsequent moments showing her demonstrating for transgender rights outside the Supreme Court.

Intimate Moments Beyond the Courtroom

This film also contains emotional moments where Feder transcends the constant legal struggle, such as scenes of Strangio traveling in Italy and receiving a body art featuring lines from activist Pauli Murray's poem "Prediction."

This body art sequence is one of my most cherished sections in the movie, stated Strangio. Being tattooed is nearly like a meditative process for me, to be completely aware in my body and to view it as a container for things that are meaningful to me.

Physical Autonomy and Representation

The filmmaker's attention to lovingly documenting Strangio adding to his tattoo collection highlights that Heightened Scrutiny is fundamentally about transgender physical selves – not just those of youth who confront restriction of their right to live authentically in their own bodies, but also the physical forms of the many subjects who are featured in the production.

I create films with a meaning, and part of that is picking people who are outstanding and concise enough to carry the camera, shared Feder. When people ask me what they should dress for an interview, my answer is whatever makes you feel attractive. This is essential to me – as trans people, we face challenges so much with our appearance.

Legacy and Hope

A key aspect that causes Feder's films excel is his evident skill for making his transgender participants feel respected, seen and valued. This technique develops real chemistry between Feder and Strangio, enabling the director to accomplish his aim of showing Strangio as a whole individual and leaving a record for future generations of how resiliently he and fellow activists have campaigned for trans liberties.

I hope not people to end up in a place of constant despair because of what the law is failing to provide us, explained Strangio. I want to be in a method of using the law to reduce harm, but not to transform it into some kind of conduit for our liberatory potential. Official institutions is not going to be the mirror through which we view ourselves. We are that mirror, and it's very vital that we persist having that dialogue alongside dialogues about fighting back these laws and approaches.

This significant film is now available for online viewing during Trans Visibility Week and will receive a more extensive distribution at a future date.