New LGBTQ+ documentary follows fathers fighting for their transgender children
The Dads follows fathers of transgender and non-binary children as they confront political hostility and consider what the future holds for their families.
A new LGBTQ+ documentary is exploring the choices facing fathers of transgender and non-binary children in the United States, where political hostility and restrictions on gender-affirming care have placed families under increasing pressure.
The Dads, directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Luchina Fisher and executive produced by former basketball star Dwyane Wade, follows fathers who come together to support their children while confronting uncertainty about their families' futures. The 72-minute feature screens at the Way Out West LGBTQ Film Festival in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Tuesday, 13 October.
The film follows a group of dads from across the country who gather for retreats in search of support, understanding and a chance to speak openly about their experiences. As they build relationships with other parents facing similar challenges, they also confront a difficult question: should they stay in the United States and continue fighting for their children's rights, or leave the country in search of greater security?
Filmed over a turbulent year, the documentary moves between quiet gatherings in rural Maine and Minnesota, protests against anti-transgender policies and important family milestones. It also follows events surrounding a pivotal US Supreme Court decision and the changing landscape for gender-affirming care for young people.
Watch the trailer:
Fatherhood as an act of resistance
Rather than treating transgender rights solely as a political debate, The Dads places family relationships at the centre of the story. Its focus is on parents trying to protect their children while managing their own fears, uncertainties and responsibilities.
The film builds on Fisher's 2023 short documentary of the same name, which won an Emmy. The feature expands the project into a longer examination of how fathers respond when the wellbeing of their children becomes entangled with national political conflict.
Wade's involvement as executive producer also brings a high-profile name to a project focused on family support and transgender inclusion. The documentary presents solidarity between parents as a source of strength, while documenting the emotional impact of decisions that can affect a family's future.
The film is scheduled to screen at 6.30pm on 13 October at The Guild Cinema in Albuquerque as part of the Way Out West LGBTQ Film Festival. The festival listing provides screening and ticket information for audiences wishing to attend. A wider cinema or streaming release for the feature has not yet been confirmed.
