Design By: Xaviana Reece

Looking for something to do Thursday night? JCCC’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance and PFLAG are hosting a free public screening of the 2025 documentary “Heightened Scrutiny” on Oct. 29, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in OCB 100. 

PFLAG is a national organization that supports LGBTQ+ people and their families. 

What the film is about 

Directed by Sam Feder, the documentary centers on ACLU attorney Chase Strangio, the first openly transgender person to argue a case before the U.S. Supreme Court. The film tracks his work on “United States v. Skrmetti,” a challenge to Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth. 

The title comes from a legal term. Heightened scrutiny is a stricter standard courts use to review certain laws, such as those that classify people based on sex. A key question in the case was whether Tennessee’s law should be reviewed under that standard. 

The documentary doesn’t stay in the courtroom, though. It also examines how media coverage shapes the way the public understands transgender rights. In the film, Strangio argues that news coverage has directly influenced the laws being passed. 

The film features journalists Jelani Cobb, Lydia Polgreen and Gina Chua, as well as actress and advocate Laverne Cox, who also served as an executive producer. 

Where the case stands 

The film was made while the case was still pending. In June 2025, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to uphold Tennessee’s law, so viewers will already know how the case ends. 

Where it’s been 

“Heightened Scrutiny” premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and has since screened at film festivals and universities across the country. Feder also directed “Disclosure,” a 2020 Netflix documentary about transgender representation in film and television. 

Before you go 

The film runs about an hour and a half. The screening is open to everyone, not just students, and free food will be available.