Documentarian Elegance Bratton follows three gay and transgender youth of color (Krystal, Casper, and Desean), over the course of three years, after being kicked out of their homes because of their sexuality and/or gender identity. Bratton too was once homeless on the same streets where the Gay Rights Movement  began.

“I’m making Pier Kids to show Black America what happens when you disown your LGBT children and leave them to the system and the streets for survival”, says Bratton. “Really, to ask Black America ‘Is all of this really worth it?’ Does kicking our kids out for being trans or gay actually solve anything? If Pier Kids can compel one parent not to kick their kid out, then mission accomplished. However, this film will do much more positive good than that.”

Bratton’s film is a much needed call to consciousness and action. It is his intention to not only make aware that the majority of homeless youth are LGBTQ, but that it is quite possible that the ‘community’ itself is more focused on things like gay marriage than it is on the plight of minority gay kids who are often over-looked and forgotten about.

Profits from the film will be used to set-up Pier Kids: The Life foundation- a summer program where disenfranchised adolescents can be exposed to critical thought and artistic practice. Pier Kids: The Life is due out this summer. In the meantime, check out the trailer below.