BRATTLEBORO-The Vermont premiere of a new documentary, Heightened Scrutiny, will be held Saturday, Nov. 1, at 6:45 p.m., at New England Youth Theatre, 100 Flat St.
Directed by Peabody Award–nominee Sam Federer, Heightened Scrutiny "exposes how biased mainstream media coverage has fueled anti-trans legislation across the country - and how those narratives endanger lives and erode democracy itself," wrote event promoters in a news release.
Heightened Scrutiny follows Chase Strangio, ACLU attorney and the first out trans person to argue before the Supreme Court, as he fights a high-stakes legal battle to overturn Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth (United States v. Skrmetti).
Featuring insights from Laverne Cox, Jelani Cobb, Lydia Polgreen, and Gina Chua, the film arrives in Vermont just months after the Supreme Court's devastating decision. "It's an urgent call to action against bigotry and injustice," said organizers.
After the film, Out in the Open hosts a community talkback with special guests freelance journalist James Rinker, Outright Vermont Senior Director of Advocacy and Land Stewardship Amanda Rohdenburg, and Out in the Open Executive Director HB Lozito.
Admission is free; donations appreciated. Seats may be reserved by contacting NEYT, although reservations are not required.
The film will also be shown Sunday, Nov. 2, at 4 p.m. at the Latchis Theatre. This second screening is especially for families and youth and will be followed by a talkback panel again with Lozito, this time joined by LGBTQ+ lawyer, advocate, and national policy strategist Meg York and WSESU Equity and Social Justice Coach Shannon Kelly.
There will be no presale tickets for the Latchis screening; seats will be available at the door that afternoon.
More information about the film, including the trailer, can be found at weareoutintheopen.org/heightened-scrutiny-screenings-2025.
This Arts item was submitted to The Commons.