"Heightened Scrutiny" Hits Different: A Supreme Court Battle That's Personal

★★★★★

I walked into the Toni Rembe Theatre last Friday for the San Francisco premiere of "Heightened Scrutiny" at Frameline49, and I'm still processing what I witnessed. Sam Feder, who already shook mainstream media with "Disclosure," is back with another documentary that tells the real story of trans politics. 

This isn't your typical courtroom drama. "Heightened Scrutiny" follows ACLU attorney Chase Strangio as he becomes the first openly transgender person to argue before the Supreme Court, fighting Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for trans youth in United States v. Skrmetti. 

Feder doesn't just focus on the legal battle. The film simultaneously exposes how media narratives shape public perception of trans rights, and ultimately laws. The film makes you question everything you thought you knew about "objective" journalism. 

Chase Strangio is a person you root for immediately: Brilliant, determined, and tirelessly fighting for our community's future. He’s a trans Robin Hood. Feder's camera follows him through intense strategy sessions, those quiet moments of doubt we all have, and the exhausting work of building coalitions that happens way behind the scenes. As viewers, we felt the pressure he's under, and it's both inspiring and heartwrenching. 

What sets this documentary apart from other advocacy films is how it doesn't pull punches when examining press coverage. Feder shows us exactly how supposedly neutral journalistic choices—which experts get quoted, what language gets used, which stories get centered—can completely shift both legal outcomes and public opinion. The film moonlights as a masterclass in media literacy that every person needs to see right now.

Then there is the wordplay with the structure of this film. Just like the legal concept of heightened scrutiny applies rigorous examination to government actions, Feder puts that same scrutiny on the systems of power affecting transgender lives. Court audio footage, media analysis, and intimate journalist interviews weave together into this multifaceted argument for change that works on every level.

Before the screening, I spoke to director Sam Feder and producer Amy Scholder who shared insights that really stuck with me. Feder emphasized: "My message is that our abilities to thrive and survive doesn't begin and end with the law. And we have always taken care of each other. This is what we've done for generations, and I'm grateful to be part of a community that can do that. But there's still a lot more to fight for."

Scholder highlighted something equally powerful about protecting and uplifting trans youth. As she noted, we witness incredible young advocates like 12-year-old Mila in the film, who's already standing in front of adults and courts to fight for her community. These young people, Scholder emphasized, are the ones who will create the change we need—they're not just the future of the movement, they're leading it right now.

The timing of this Frameline premiere feels especially significant. The U.S. vs. Skrmetti decision just came out, and it didn’t go in favor of trans youth. The fight continues on.

"Heightened Scrutiny" refuses to treat transgender rights like some abstract political debate. Instead, Feder grounds every argument in lived experience, showing how legal decisions ripple through families, communities, and individual lives. The film doesn't just ask for sympathy—it demands understanding, and ultimately, action.

When the credits rolled Friday night, the audience at Toni Rembe Theatre erupted with applause. "Heightened Scrutiny" earns that response through its combination of rigorous journalism, emotional intelligence, and unwavering commitment to justice.

In a year when gender and transness are being attacked more than ever, this film reminds us why the fight matters. It's essential viewing for anyone trying to understand one of the defining civil rights battles of our time. 

"Heightened Scrutiny" continues its run at Frameline49 through June 28. The documentary premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and represents Feder's third collaboration with Frameline's Completion Fund.