In the wake of the trans military ban, three officers fight for their dignity, humanity, and the right to do their jobs, finding paths forward that illuminate the cost of excluding an entire class of people in ways that are both comical and consequential.
FIGHTING FORWARD follows three transgender service members navigating a discriminatory military policy, revealing the human and societal stakes behind a national debate about belonging. Through intimate storytelling, political tension, and moments of humor, the film explores inclusion, power, and the fragile state of American democracy, asking: if the military exists to defend the American way of life, whose way of life do we mean?
Commander Emily “Hawking” Shilling is a decorated Navy test pilot with over sixty combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan and the highest-ranking openly transgender Navy line officer. Once a Trump voter, she’s now publicly challenging the administration’s policies. Through her leadership in SPARTA, advocating for transgender service members, Emily becomes a central figure in the legal and cultural battle for open service.
Petty Officer Paulo Batista joined the Navy after transitioning to fulfill a lifelong dream and honor his father’s dying wish. An intelligence specialist and competitive powerlifter, he also mentors trans families. Paulo’s personal struggle evolves into advocacy for a future where trans youth can fully participate in the American dream.
Chief Warrant Officer Jo Ellis, an Army pilot raised conservative Christian, becomes the target of harassment and death threats after being accused of crashing her Black Hawk into a commercial airliner. Catapulted into notoriety, she turns to stand-up comedy to connect across political divides.
As legal battles unfold and careers hang in the balance, FIGHTING FORWARD asks us to consider a democracy where those willing to defend it are denied full participation in it.
Jen Rainin founded Frankly Speaking Films with Rivkah Beth Medow in 2020 to tell mesmerizing stories about strong queer women. Together, they created the feature documentary AHEAD OF THE CURVE and the Oscar shortlisted short documentary HOLDING MOSES, and they produced the short doc OUTCRY: ALCHEMISTS OF RAGE. Jen is a Film Independent fellow whose other credits include HOMEROOM (EP: Hulu), JEANNETTE (EP: festivals), HUMMINGBIRDS (EP: POV), TWO SPIRITS (EP: Independent Lens), and SHIT & CHAMPAGNE (EP: Hulu). With her wife, Jen co-founded The Curve Foundation to champion LGBTQ+ women’s stories and culture through intergenerational programming and community building.
Cinematographer - Clare Major
Editor - Juli Vizza
