The debate over trans athletes in high school sports has become the latest hot-button talking point for conservative outlets and politicians; an upcoming, critically acclaimed documentary, Changing the Game, will unpack this evolving culture war. Variety reports the timely film will premiere on Hulu in June, as part of the platform’s Pride Month celebration. The heartwrenching film tracks several high school trans athletes and the challenges they face as legislation targeting the rights and protections of trans youth begins to tick up.
The film, which first premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2019, features students who made national headlines, like Euless, Texas teenager Mack Beggs. Beggs sparked an explosive debate two years ago when he became the first openly trans male to win the Texas State Championship in the girls wrestling division. Reflecting on the transphobic controversy, Biggs told Men’s Health last year, “It didn’t really affect me, because I was like, ‘I don’t care. I won.’”
Other narratives featured in the film include Sarah Rose, a young vlogger and skier who fights for trans-inclusive policies in her free time, and Connecticutian track star Andraya. Speaking with GLAAD in 2019, Rose reflected on why she participated in the film, saying, “I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t [for] sports, I know that for sure” and that she hoped the film sparked empathy through “putting people in our shoes.”
The streaming premiere of Changing the Game comes as conservative lawmakers across the country ramp up their attacks against trans youth through restrictive bills. This week, Florida Republicans passed a bill requiring student athletes to compete on teams that align with their “biological sex,” and not their gender identity.
Also this week: Amber Briggle, the mother of a trans boy, delivered an emotional speech at a state Senate hearing in Texas. She asked that lawmakers strike down a proposal that would classify providing gender-affirming medical care to trans youth as “child abuse.” In fact, the culture war over trans youth has reached a new epoch in the red state: the ACLU reports that Texas has introduced over 10 bills targeting the rights of trans children.
Though it focuses on young trans athletes, Changing the Game seems poised to illustrate the emotional turmoil these bills create, while educating Americans on the measures needed to protect trans youth now.
Changing the Game will premiere on Hulu on June 1.
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