Having directed a string of very strong biographical documentaries of powerful American women, exploring the lives of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Julia Child, Pauli Murray, and Gabrielle Giffords, in recent years, Julie Cohen is just so damn good at this kind of thing by this point. Every Body is her first solo directorial feature doc, having previously worked with filmmaker Betsy West. Every Body is a documentary about the intersex community and the trauma someone born with ambiguous genitalia is forced to endure before they even know who they are.

We focus on three brave individuals who are using their platforms for the greater good – Alicia Weigel – a Texas politician, River Gallo – an actor and director and Saifa Wall, an activist and public speaker, all of whom have deeply enlightening and fascinating stories to tell from their own lives. We focus on the discrimination they’ve faced, the power over their own bodies they have reclaimed, and what they are doing to spread awareness of their community in an era where their bodily autonomy is constantly being threatened. Their stories illuminate other aspects of this very specific experience and speak truth to the human experience.

The term “intersex” may be unfamiliar to many, and it could easily be lumped in with “transgender” by those unwilling to do the research. And the very action of educating the public about this marginalized community is radical in and of itself. But Cohen brings a strong sense of familiarity and warmth to the presentation of the stories on display here. Her compassionate, elegant and sensitive direction elevates this educational piece into something of a rallying call, that people of all genders and ages should experience and become more aware of.

Each story broke my heart, and taught me a lot I didn’t already know about these people who are in a constant battle just to live as their true authentic selves. There’s a lot of heartbreak here, but there’s a lot to celebrate as well. Cohen bookends the film with footage of absolutely insane looking “gender reveal parties” (remember all those ‘tragic’ deaths a few years ago when idiots blew up farm equipment and set off homemade fireworks and then were ‘surprised’ when something went wrong?) and uses the space in between to illuminate the inconsequential nature of that phenomenon, as we learn that biology, actually, isn’t so black and white.

I would like to think we are living in a more enlightened time where these people are being given the platform to embrace their various identities, but Every Body reminds us how far we still have to go, as many politicians and television pundits continue to misuse their platforms to silence LGBTQIA+ individuals. That’s why the activism of these three individuals, as well as so many others, is so important and why their stories feel so immediate. The intersex community isn’t going anywhere, and neither is anyone else on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum.

Be forewarned, there’s some rough and difficult material here. Some anecdotes, especially another person’s story midway through the film, are deeply devastating and made me actively tear up. But I’m glad I left the theater knowing about them. These people’s lives are just as important as anyone else’s and all they want is the same rights that anyone else has. I think if films like this were more widely seen, we would truly be living in a more empathetic world. Documentary films should teach us, but also wake us up and kick our asses. And that’s what Julie Cohen does so well. I’m hoping Every Body gets a push, if not theatrically (only four people, including myself, were at the screening last night), on streaming or as a news special down the line, where millions could see it. Few films have the genuine potential to change and save lives, but this is one that just might.