FROM SAM FEDER, THE DIRECTOR OF HEIGHTENED SCRUTINY

When it comes to transphobia, I tend to have thick skin. That changed in February 2023 when the Daily Wire's Michael Knowles exclaimed at CPAC that “transgenderism must be eradicated from public life entirely.” The camera panned across an exuberantly applauding audience. 

A month later, a senior crew member confided in me, “I don’t think kids know if they are trans. I didn't know my sexuality until puberty; how can they know themselves?” Seeing my confusion, she continued: “It’s a trend; it’s not safe; and what about parental rights?” Her talking points—which had once been confined to right-wing news outlets—were now front page stories in the mainstream media. My colleagues, once my strongest allies, had joined the likes of Knowles in questioning the legitimacy of trans healthcare. Perhaps even more concerning, they felt empowered by the coverage they were reading to speak with authority.

When DISCLOSURE premiered at Sundance 2020, the world seemed to be embracing the rise of transgender visibility. DISCLOSURE celebrates how far we’ve come but warns us that progress is often met with backlash. Nothing could have prepared me for what we are facing today. We are at a critical juncture where trans people are grappling with relentless and escalating attacks—from state legislatures enacting harmful laws to members of Congress denying basic dignity, such as Sarah McBride's access to a bathroom in the Capitol. As I looked into these legislative attacks, I was disturbed to find that my one-time allies were not the only ones repeating the anti-trans logic gracing the front pages of mainstream news sources. Lawyers, judges, and legislators were also including these troubling talking points in their briefs, opinions, and laws. I knew that I needed to extend DISCLOSURE’s warning to respond to this emergent crisis for the trans community, but I didn’t want to create a film that simply diagnoses the problem. I wanted to tell a story about the ways we fight back and protect one another. Heightened Scrutiny is an urgent response to this moment, and a call to action.

The Supreme Court is currently deliberating an historic case, L.W. Vs Skirmetti —this could determine whether trans youth in Tennessee and beyond will have access to life-saving healthcare. Central to this fight is Chase Strangio, the first out trans lawyer to argue before the Supreme Court. As he points out, there is a direct link between the increasingly anti-trans tenor of mainstream media coverage and the threat to trans existence through legislation and court rulings. With the Trump administration making its disdain for trans people painfully clear, this case may represent one of the last guardrails protecting trans youth from sweeping attacks on their rights and humanity. The outcome will not only impact lives in Tennessee but could define the legal landscape for trans healthcare and rights across the country at a time when those protections are most urgently needed.

This film is not just a reflection of the challenges we face but also a call for increased media responsibility, a testament to the power of solidarity, and a roadmap for how the Supreme Court’s decision by June 2025 will undoubtedly shape the larger conversation around trans rights and bodily autonomy. Structurally, I aim to strike a delicate balance between intentionally resisting the tropes of a character study and honoring Chase’s contribution to this historical moment. I make this choice because I believe stories of a singular hero overshadow the work of community and put unnecessary pressure on the individual. 

The decision by the Court, expected by June, won’t change the heart of this film or its purpose. I made this film as a historical record of our fight and to give audiences a clearer understanding of the hidden harm perpetuated by mainstream—supposedly liberal—media. Much of the coverage around trans lives is biased, contributing to a dangerous environment where discriminatory legislation thrives. This bias has a direct, devastating impact on trans people across the country. Heightened Scrutiny chronicles our actions during a dark period, showing future generations that we refused to be silenced.

I am no longer able to sustain my thick skin in the face of the pervasive transphobia of these times, and I no longer want to. Instead, I want to add my voice to the chorus of those pushing back against the tide that–whether explicitly or implicitly–calls for the eradication of trans existence. No matter the Court’s decision, the core message remains: we will continue to care for and protect each other. They cannot legislate away our spirit. Our humanity is not up for debate.