Last week, a cruel kind of irony hung over Park City, Utah like an oncoming snowstorm. While the Sundance Film Festival celebrated productions from several accomplished LGBTQ directors, including buzzy releases like Jane Schoenbrun’s sophomore film I Saw the TV Glow, Utah’s state legislature passed the first “bathroom ban” of the year. If Gov. Spencer Cox chooses to sign the bill into law, it will bar transgender students from using restrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identities. It would also prohibit trans people of all ages from accessing changing rooms in government-run facilities. (Gov. Cox did not respond to The Daily Beast’s request for comment.)
The tension between these two simultaneous events highlights a stark reality: As vital as it certainly is for LGBTQ people to be seen and heard in our art and media, that’s only half the battle. Strong legal protections must go hand-in-hand with that visibility.
As HB 257 worked its way through the House and then the Senate last week, Sundance seemed to avoid addressing the legislation directly. On Wednesday, the organization posted a portion of Executive Director Eugene Hernandez’s speech introducing an anniversary screening of The Life and Times of Harvey Milk on its Instagram Story. In the video, Hernandez affirmed the fest’s dedication to inclusivity and noted the rise of anti-trans bills across the country but did not mention HB 257 specifically. Apart from that ephemeral post, Sundance seemed to stay mum, prompting some filmmakers to press for a more substantial show of support.
