Pier Kids

2019, Crystal LaBeija, English, USA,

Director: Elegance Bratton
Release Year: 2019

Synopsis:

""Pier Kids (2019): A Documentary on the Struggles of Homeless LGBTQ Youth of Color"" "Pier Kids" (2019) is a deeply moving and evocative documentary by director Elegance Bratton, which explores the lives of homeless queer and transgender youth of color in New York City. The film takes viewers on an intimate journey, highlighting the daily challenges faced by these young individuals who have been ostracized by their families due to their sexuality or gender identity. Over the course of five years, Bratton follows three young people—Crystal LaBeija, Casper, and Desean—as they navigate the difficult realities of homelessness, sex work, and their efforts to find a sense of belonging and community. 

 

The documentary is set primarily on the Christopher Street Pier, an iconic location in Manhattan that has long been a gathering place for the LGBTQ+ community. The pier is not just a physical space for these youths, but a symbol of their resilience and the complex intersection of queer and Black identities. As the camera captures the raw realities of their lives, "Pier Kids" sheds light on the broader issues of systemic inequality, police violence, and urban gentrification that affect marginalized LGBTQ youth of color. Filming "Pier Kids" began in 2011 and stretched through to 2016. Over these five years, Bratton captures the evolving experiences of the young protagonists, showing how their lives change in response to their circumstances, the passing of time, and the unyielding struggles they face. The documentary is not just a snapshot of their lives at a particular moment; it is a layered narrative that unfolds over the years, allowing viewers to witness the shifting dynamics within the LGBTQ+ community, particularly for those on the fringes who have been pushed to the margins by society and their families. 

 

At the heart of "Pier Kids" are the individual stories of Crystal, Casper, and Desean. These youth are grappling with various forms of trauma, whether it be the pain of rejection from their families, the violence of the streets, or the precariousness of their livelihoods. 

• Crystal LaBeija: A trans woman who navigates the harsh realities of homelessness while engaging with New York's ballroom scene. Crystal's story is one of survival and resilience, but it also highlights the deep-rooted struggles that transgender individuals face, particularly when their families refuse to accept their gender identity. In the film, Crystal must reconcile her desire for acceptance with the harsh reality of being marginalized both within her biological family and the larger LGBTQ+ community.
  
• Casper: A young Black man who is looking for love and stability, Casper's journey is marked by his vulnerability as he grapples with his identity in a world that seems to offer little protection for someone like him. His search for love leads him into dangerous situations, and the film poignantly captures his search for connection, showing the challenges faced by Black queer youth in a city that is often seen as a beacon of hope for LGBTQ individuals.
  
• Desean: Standing at a crossroads in his life, Desean is forced to confront difficult decisions about his future. Torn between the desire to escape homelessness and the harsh realities of life on the streets, he faces the pressure of potentially engaging in criminal activity or exposing himself to HIV. His story encapsulates the impossible choices many homeless LGBTQ youth of color are forced to make when survival is the only option. 
  

Throughout the documentary, the film brings viewers into these youths' lives with startling authenticity. Bratton’s empathetic approach to their stories avoids sensationalism or victimization, opting instead to present the nuanced, complex lives of these young people with dignity and respect. The Christopher Street Pier serves as a sanctuary for the youth in "Pier Kids", offering them a sense of community and belonging when their biological families have turned their backs on them. This “chosen family” becomes a vital support system, helping them navigate life on the streets and survive. The film emphasizes the importance of solidarity and kinship among queer people of color, particularly in a society that has often marginalized or ignored their needs. However, the sense of community at the pier is also under threat. The film highlights the pervasive police presence, the threat of gentrification, and the overall financial instability that these youth face. Despite these external pressures, the pier remains a space of resistance, where these young people can create their own world—one where they are accepted and valued for who they are. The film also addresses the role of sex work as a means of survival for many of these youth, further complicating their already precarious position in society. The harsh realities of their lives are shown with a sense of urgency, but without exploitation. The documentary never sensationalizes their struggles but instead portrays them with a deep understanding of the systemic issues at play. 

 

"Pier Kids" stands out not only for its powerful storytelling but also for its cinematographic style. Bratton's lens captures moments of joy and pain in equal measure, showcasing the vibrancy of life on the pier while also acknowledging the harshness of the world beyond. The film's approach has drawn comparisons to Jennie Livingston’s "Paris Is Burning" (1990), another seminal documentary about LGBTQ people of color. However, while "Paris Is Burning" focused on the ballroom culture of the late 1980s, "Pier Kids" presents a more contemporary view of queer Black youth, seen through the eyes of a Black queer filmmaker who brings radical empathy and honesty to every frame. Critics have praised the film for its rawness and the emotional depth it brings to the lives of its subjects. Henry Giardina of "Into" notes that while the film deals with difficult themes, it is essential viewing for anyone seeking to understand the struggles of LGBTQ youth of color. Eric Langberg of "Queer Review" points out that "Pier Kids" avoids the sensationalism often found in other portrayals of marginalized youth, opting instead for an authentic and unflinching portrayal of life on the streets. The film’s nuanced exploration of community and survival is a reminder that New York’s image as a queer haven is increasingly under threat, with gentrification and rising crime rates pushing out the very people who once helped build that image. In the midst of this, the documentary provides a deeply intimate portrait of a group of young people who, despite their hardships, manage to carve out a space where they are seen, heard, and loved. 

 

Elegance Bratton's "Pier Kids" is a powerful and unforgettable documentary that brings attention to the lived experiences of queer and transgender youth of color who are too often overlooked in mainstream narratives. By following Crystal, Casper, and Desean over five years, the film offers a rare and candid look at the challenges faced by homeless LGBTQ youth in New York City. Through its lens, we witness not only the harsh realities of their lives but also the incredible resilience and strength they find in each other and in the community they have built on the Christopher Street Pier. In documenting their lives, Bratton's film elevates these voices and forces viewers to confront the ongoing struggles faced by marginalized LGBTQ individuals—especially those at the intersection of race, sexuality, and homelessness. "Pier Kids" is a poignant testament to the power of chosen family, the fight for survival, and the quest for dignity and love in a world that often refuses to offer it.

 

via: youtube

wikipedia and theguardian.com
imdb and thefilmcollaborative.org

Image credits: YouTube