As transgender individuals gain more visibility in society, there have been efforts to prevent them from participating in certain aspects of everyday life, including athletics. Bills passed in over half of US States, the NCAA, and an executive order from President Trump have now banned transgender athletes from participating in sports that align with their gender identities. Justifications for these laws often misuse Title IX and rely on false scientific claims to justify their belief that transgender athletes have an unfair advantage. Those who hold anti-trans views are using sports as a literal playing field to further their agenda of social exclusion.
While sports may seem like a minor issue compared to other forms of discrimination against the transgender community, it is these smaller issues that contribute to a larger push to exclude trans individuals from society. This push can lead to the passage of more harmful legislation. Several US states have already passed laws that prohibit the teaching of transgender-related topics in schools, such as identity, history, and health. Other anti-trans laws at the state and federal level put transgender individuals at risk of losing access to essential aspects of life such as employment, education, affirming healthcare, housing, and legal protections against discrimination and violence.
Pack is Here follows the lives of five transgender roller derby players as they hip-check prejudice and show the world that they are right where they belong. Through their stories of hope, courage, and friendship, we shine a spotlight on a community where trans athletes have been training and thriving alongside their cisgender teammates from the start. Spoiler alert: Everything is totally fine.
We made this film to help the vulnerable trans community at a time when so much is at stake. We seek to use roller derby as an entertainment landscape to normalize the role of trans people in sports – and therefore in society as a whole. Whether or not someone supports transgender rights often depends on whether or not they have gotten to know any transgender people. Watching Pack is Here lets our audience do just that.
“Pack is Here” is accepting inquiries for USA and international digital distribution. The film is currently available for educational and community screenings. Contact soshabelle@gmail.com for more information.