Heightened Scrutiny: Film Screening & Panel Discussion on Trans Rights

Join Women’s College Hospital, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA), Egale Canada, and The Sonor Foundation for a special screening of Heightened Scrutiny, followed by a timely panel discussion examining the growing legal, political, and media attacks on trans and gender-diverse communities.

Heightened Scrutiny follows ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio’s legal battle against state bans on gender-affirming care for transgender youth in the lead-up to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Skrmetti decision. The film traces how coordinated legal strategies and media narratives about trans lives were developed and leveraged to justify the rollback of gender-affirming care and the passage of anti-trans legislation across the United States.

While grounded in the American context, the film raises urgent questions that resonate deeply in Canada, particularly as access to gender-affirming care and trans rights face increasing political pressure.

Following the screening, a panel of legal, healthcare, and advocacy experts will discuss:

• The role of media in shaping public understanding of trans issues
• The legal challenges facing trans rights and gender-affirming care in Canada
• The real-world impacts of policy rollbacks on trans communities
• The role of healthcare institutions, lawyers, and advocates in protecting access to care and human rights.

The panel consists of:

• Aaden Pearson (moderator), Trans Rights Legal Fellow, Canadian Civil Liberties Association
• Jack Woodman, Vice President Strategy, Quality, Risk & Privacy, Women's College Hospital
• Bennett Jensen, Director of Legal, Egale Canada
• Emma Wakelin, Senior Fellow, Sonor Foundation

This is a free event. Registration is required.

Doors at 5:30 PM, film starts at 6:00 PM

Location: Women's College Hospital, Auditorium (2nd Floor), 76 Grenville St., Toronto, ON

Getting there: Paid parking is available at Women's College Hospital. The venue is also accessible by TTC and is located between College and University subway stations.

Light snacks will be available by donation.

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Host or Publisher Canadian Civil Liberties Association