OUR IMPACT CAMPAIGN
A Galvanizing Tool at a Critical Time
1
A TOOL FOR STATE-LEVEL LEGISLATIVE AND LEGAL BATTLES
Partner directly with organizers fighting anti-trans legislation and ballot initiatives in states like Texas, Tennessee, Missouri, Colorado, and Washington. Strategize with partners, give unlimited access to the film, and materially support screening tours when we can.
Re-educate policy makers, sharpen their talking points, deepen their commitment to fight in states like New Jersey, New Hampshire, and Maine.
Support organizers in "Refugee States" where families are moving for gender-affirming care, such as Vermont, Michigan, and California.
Example 1. In January 2026, Heightened Scrutiny screened inside the Vermont State House, sponsored by the ACLU of Vermont and Planned Parenthood Vermont Action Fund. That event inspired additional partners to request screenings of the film within their State Houses.
Example 2. In July 2025, the Colorado Attorney General’s office screened Heightened Scrutiny for their 15-member team preparing oral arguments for Chiles v. Salazar, which was heading to the US Supreme Court. The case seeks to overturn Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy on minors. This partnership resulted in a staff-wide screening open to all 700 members of the AG’s office.
2
BUILD CROSS-MOVEMENT SOLIDARITY BY POSITIONING THE ATTACKS ON TRANS PEOPLE WITHIN A BROADER CONTEXT
Plan a series of events featuring high-profile leaders from various movements in direct dialogue with prominent trans voices.
Deepen analysis and emphasize shared struggles and opportunities for coalition-building.
Generate press, video clips, and quotes to cross-promote to our distinct audiences, broadening support for all.
Example 1. In November 2025, in collaboration with the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, our EP Laverne Cox discussed the intrinsic connections between trans rights and reproductive rights with President of Planned Parenthood Alexis McGill-Johnson, moderated by Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman.
Example 2. In March 2026, the Chicago Teacher’s Union (CTU) hosts a screening of Heightened Scrutiny at their union headquarters, connecting the struggle for trans rights and the well-being of all students with their broader fight for collective liberation.
Example 3. In April 2026, we’ll be highlighting the detrimental and dangerous role of New York Times reporting across multiple fronts: trans healthcare, Gaza and Palestine, and more. Partners include JVP-NY, Adalah Justice Project, Queer|Art and more. Chani Nicholas will moderate a dialogue with Mohammad El-Kurd and Chase Strangio.
President of Planned Parenthood Alexis McGill-Johnson in dialogue with Heightened Scrutiny’s Executive Producer Laverne Cox.
“The fight for bodily autonomy and
self-determination are connected.
It doesn’t end at access to birth control.
It doesn’t end at access to abortion.
It doesn’t even end at gender-affirming care.
All our freedoms are united and linked. The government doesn’t get to tell us who we are, and we’ll continue to fight until everyone has the right to live authentically as themselves, with access to the care they need. No matter what.”
3
REACH PRIORITY AUDIENCES BY CREATING ACCESS TO THE FILM THROUGH NON-TRADITIONAL AVENUES
Partner with national organizations to share the film with rural, conservative, and religious communities through intimate, member-initiated screening events.
Whenever possible, waive screening fees in order to maximize access at the community level.
Example 1. In November 2025, for Trans Awareness Week, Heightened Scrutiny streamed internationally, partnering with It Gets Better’s Youth Voices program for a free screening and youth-led dialogue. The young people who facilitated also interviewed Tre’Vell Anderson of the Trans Journalist Association, who is featured in the film.
Example 2. In October 2025, members of Mama Dragons attended a virtual training with our Impact Producer, Julia Allen. They learned how to organize and host their own screenings. They have since gone on to host over a dozen individual events across rural Utah, upstate NY, Maryland, Idaho, and Kansas.
“My husband has not always been supportive of our trans child. Something shifted when he watched Heightened Scrutiny. These are not easy conversations for us, and historically, they haven’t gone smoothly. Sometimes change comes through sitting side by side, watching a story, and letting the truth land where it’s ready to land.”
4
SUPPORT HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND INSTITUTIONS WHO ARE FACING DIRECT ATTACK AND CLOSURES FOR OFFERING GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE
Forge stronger partnerships, cross-pollinate resources, information, and strategies between local medical providers and community organizations through screening events.
Use screenings as fundraisers for their critical work.
Use screenings as fundraisers for families seeking gender-affirming care across state lines where care is no longer accessible to them.
At the 2025 US Professional Association for Transgender Health (USPATH) conference, Heightened Scrutiny screened three times. In response, healthcare providers have organized screenings in their local communities in various states.
In Charlotte, NC, a talk-back consisted entirely of gender-affirming care providers.
The ACLU of Ohio is partnering with Queer Care Community Connections of Southeast Ohio, a grassroots formation of medical and mental healthcare providers for a screening on Trans Day of Visibility on March 31, 2026.
In Tennessee, screenings will be used to kick off a new Trans Navigation Project, a tool to help trans people find providers and support in TN.
In Michigan, organizers are planning a screening as a fundraiser to support the last remaining clinic serving trans people in the area.
5
LEVERAGE FILM FESTIVAL AND THEATRICAL SCREENINGS FOR MAXIMUM LOCAL IMPACT
Make screenings accessible to the trans community, their families, and allies with free tickets, direct outreach, tabling to share resources, and the opportunity to fundraise.
Feature talk-backs with local speakers so audiences learn how to get involved with local fights and initiatives.
Tailor our calls-to-action to support local campaigns and initiatives.
Example 1. For the launch of our theatrical run at the Firehouse Cinema in NYC, we had themed talk-backs every night featuring trans journalists, grassroots organizers, and an evening with parents of trans youth.
Example 2. For the 2025 Bentonville Film Festival in Arkansas, we partnered with the ACLU of AR and InTRANSitive. The dynamic post-screening panel featured Joanna Brandt, a lead plaintiff in the Arkansas case on gender-affirming care for youth, as well as activists and lawyers. The team organized a caravan to travel to the festival from across the state and the festival provided free tickets for all to attend.
"It was both heartbreaking and a meaningful time to screen Heightened Scrutiny the exact week when SCOTUS shared their decision. I'm so grateful for all the work you put into bringing together such an incredible group of speakers; it meant so much to our festival to have them here, bringing to light the local talking points and fostering an empowering sense of community.”
- Drea Clark, Artistic Director, Bentonville Film Festival
Ready to Help?
To learn more, share ideas or connect with our work above, please contact: Julia at impact@heightenedscrutinydoc.com.