One of the film's co-directors said: 'Being gay and black... it's like a nightmare waiting to happen'

They are working on their own clothing label, putting on fashion shows and even doing stints as runway models

New documentary, also called Check It, tells how members are now trying to break cycle of poverty and violence

It is the only recorded gang of gay and transgender youths in America, with more than 200 members at present

Check It was formed by group of 'bullied ninth graders' in the Washington DC neighborhood of Trinidad in 2005


Donning stilettos, lipstick and mascara, the young men take to the streets of one of Washington DC's most violent neighborhoods.

But under their clothing - and in some cases, in their Louis Vuitton bags - they are carrying knives, brass knuckles and pepper spray.

Meet some of the more than 200 members of Check It, the only documented gang of gay and transgender youths in America.

The teenagers and young adults, who have faced discrimination throughout their entire lives, are the subjects of a new independent documentary.

The film, also named Check It, explains how many of the youths have been stabbed or shot at, while others have served time in juvenile prisons

But now, the 'tight-knit' gang members, who are aged 14 to 22, are fighting to break the cycle of poverty and violence that they have grown up in.

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Documentary star: This is one of more than 200 members of Check It, the only documented gang of gay and transgender youths in America

Impoverished area: The gang members, many of whom have been stabbed and shot at, have faced discrimination throughout their lives

Transformation: They are now the subjects of a new independent film, which tells of how some of them have served time in juvenile prisons

Dressing up: But now, the 'tight-knit' gang members (including this member), who are aged 14 to 22, are fighting to break the cycle of poverty and violence that they have grown up in. They are working on their own clothing label, putting on fashion shows and working stints as models

Contrast: The documentary describes how the gang members have to deal with violence and fights on a regular basis (left) but have now launched their own fashion label (right: a youth models for the label) in a bid to escape their 'often brutal' lives in Trinidad, Washington DC

They have set up their own clothing label and are putting on fashion shows in the north-east neighborhood, according to the film and an Indiegogo page.

And some of them are even working stints as runway models. All the while, they are offering each other unconditional love and support.

'At its heart, the film explores the undying friendship that exists between these kids - an unbreakable bond that is tested every day,' the page states.

However, amid their achievements, the youths often encounter setbacks, with the community they live in 'relentlessly trying to beat them down'.

'When The Check It are not taking small steps forward on the catwalk, they too often take massive steps backwards,' the page explains.

The documentary follows the members, led by ex-convict Mo, as they get into fights, are ridiculed by passerbys and struggle with their fashion plans.

In its trailer, Dana Flor, who co-directed the film with Toby Oppenheimer, says: 'A lot of times just being black, you have a lot of odds against you.'

According to the Washingtonian, she continues: 'Being gay and black... it's like a nightmare waiting to happen.'

Close: 'At its heart, the film explores the undying friendship that exists between these kids - an unbreakable bond that is tested every day'

Hard life: Formed in 2005 by a group of 'bullied 9th graders', Check It now has more than 200 members, all of whom live a life that is 'brutal'

Transgender: Because the youths - many of whom live transgender lives - are so close, their gang was difficult for filmmakers to infiltrate

Violence to fashion: Gang members are pictured getting into a fight (left), and participating in a fashion show (right) in the independent film

Formed in 2005 by a group of 'bullied 9th graders', Check It now has more than 200 members, all of whom live a life that is 'brutal' but also 'full of hope'.

Because the youths - many of whom cross-dress or live transgender lives - are so close, the gang's structure was difficult for filmmakers to infiltrate.

However, over a three-year-period, Ms Flor and Mr Oppenheimer gradually managed to immerse themselves in the members' lives in Trinidad.

'These kids have been let down by everybody in their life,' Ms Flor said. 'You have to assert them that you're for real, that you're not going to go away.'

He added: 'The documentary will not only go into the challenges members face, but also depict their dream of launching a fashion line.'

Actor Steve Buscemi, of New York-based Olive Productions, is producing the documentary, alongside Ms Flor and Mr Oppenheimer.

Let down: 'These kids have been let down by everybody in their life... You have to assert them that you're for real, you're not going to go away'

Raising money: Filmmakers are raising money to help fund the final editing stages of the film (pictured). They have so far raised $62,630

They hope the film will expose the discrimination that the gang faces - and show the 'amazing things' the youths are capable of.

They also hope it will 'encourage a similarly open-minded conversation about HIV, anti-gay discrimination, and poverty both nationally' and locally.

Filmmakers are raising money to help fund the final editing stages of the film. On Saturday, they surpassed their $60,000 goal.

Ten per cent of the donations will be given to the gang's fashion label. The fundraiser ends in only 10 hours; to donate, click here.