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D.C. queer youth gang featured in new documentary

D.C. queer youth gang featured in new documentary

Published

10 years ago

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Check It, gay news, Washington Blade
Check It, gay news, Washington Blade

A still from ‘Check It,’ a documentary on local LGBT youth. (Photo courtesy Olive Productions)

’Check It’

AFI Docs Festival

Saturday, June 25

9 p.m.

Newseum

555 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.

Sold out

www.afi.com/afidocs

checkitfilm.com

 

The new documentary “Check It” starts with two powerful titles.

The first provides a sobering statistic for Washington’s LGBT community:

“Washington, D.C. has one of the nation’s highest rates of hate crimes against its LGBTQ community.”

The second announces a brave and unexpected act of resistance against that statistic:

“In 2009, three gay ninth graders started a gang in Washington, D.C. to defend themselves against bullying. Today the Check It has over 200 members and counting.”

Directed by Dana Flor and Toby Oppenheimer, “Check It” has been selected for the coveted Spotlight Screening on Saturday night of the AFI Docs festival. AFI Docs Director Michael Lumpkin, who is gay, has been a fan of the film for a long time.

“I love “Check It,” he says. “Before I came to AFI, I ran the International Documentary Association. We had a grant program to provide production support for documentaries. Toby and Dana applied for funding for their film three or four years ago. When I was watching the clip they provided with their application, I knew this was going to be a very special film.”

In fact, AFI Docs announced last week that “Check It” was one of 10 films selected to participate in the prestigious AFI Docs Impact Lab. The intensive program will provide Flor and Oppenheimer, who identify as straight allies, with advanced training in the areas of advocacy, grassroots communication and engagement.

“Check It” tells the stories of the founding members of the group. According to Flor and Oppenheimer, Washington has the dubious distinction of having the only organized gang of LGBT youth in the country. The African-American gang started in the Trinidad neighborhood in northeast Washington. The youth already faced the grueling social pressures of poverty, broken homes, prostitution and a broken web of social services. On top of that, they faced violent bullying because of their sexual orientation and their gender-bending fashion sense.

According to Flor, “It came about as a necessity. They banded together because they wanted to protect each other. They became famous — and infamous — for being good at defending themselves. Nobody messes with them because they will fight. And not only do they fight, they do not censor who they are. … They’re flamboyant. They walk around with little Hello Kitty bags and platform shoes and dresses and lipstick. You don’t do that in the neighborhoods they come from. They’re from very tough neighborhoods with very conservative ideas about masculinity. They didn’t want to back down, they just wanted to be who they wanted to be. That’s how it formed. And it’s flourishing because kids are still being kicked out of their houses and being kicked out of school and taking to the streets. They form their own family.”

As one of the Check It members announces in the film, “To be in the Check It, you have to have a good sense of fashion — wild, crazy, colorful. To walk with us, you have to have a heart. You have to believe you’re not gonna take no bullshit from nobody.”

The members of the Check It found some supportive mentors to help turn their energy in a more positive direction. The first was Ronald “Mo” Moten, one of the founders of the controversial Peaceoholics organization which worked with city residents and gang members to reduce violence in the city.

“Basically.” Flor says, “he deals with gang conflict resolution. He is a beloved figure, especially in the worst neighborhoods of the city, especially because he has helped gang members get out of the gang and go to college, and he has squashed a lot of beefs. He’s like a father figure to these kids and he is very fond of them.”

Then there’s local fashion entrepreneur extraordinaire Jarmal Harris. He founded the Jarmal Harris Project, a non-profit organization that works with D.C.-area youth to provide them with opportunities in the fashion industry and beyond.

“Harris runs a fashion camp for high school age kids that trains them in all elements of the fashion industry,” Oppenheimer says. “The film follows some of the Check It kids through six weeks of this fashion camp. Then a handful of them are chosen to go to Fashion Week in New York City. That’s kinda the spine of the film.”

Lumpkin is thrilled to be hosting the Spotlight Screening of “Check It.”

“It has been on my radar for years and I’m really happy to present the hometown premiere at AFI Docs,” Lumpkin says. “It’s the screening I can’t wait for. It’s going to be electric.”

“This film is about a community that isn’t given visibility very often,” he says. “The concept of a queer gang was just something I had never considered. For most gay people, those two ideas just don’t match up. But when you learn about their story, it makes perfect sense. For this community, that’s how they protect themselves; that’s how they survive. People who are queer have to come up with mechanisms for how they’re going to survive the world they come into.”

Lumpkin is also full of praise for the filmmakers.

“It’s fresh and new,” he says. “It was the subject matter that drew me to the film. But it was also the approach the filmmakers took to the subject matter. It’s honest, it’s respectful. Like all excellent documentaries, they provide their subjects with the space for them to have a voice. It takes a lot more than just putting a camera in front of somebody and filming them.”

The members of the Check It agree with Lumpkin’s assessment of their crew and the film. In the film, one of the members says, “It was because of the Check It that these faggots feel more comfortable within themselves to come outside. We can go out in public without being criticized. If they criticize us, they know there will be consequences.”

Towards the end of the movie, another member says, “No one was gonna stand up for us. We stood up for ourselves.”

Tray, one of the film’s subjects, has started actively promoting the documentary at film festivals around the county. Although he initially didn’t want to be in the film (his late mother talked him into it), he’s been delighted by the film’s reception. “I wasn’t sure if people would understand the movie,” he says, “but they actually loved it and they gained something from it. That was the most important thing we wanted.”

Tray says some of the attention has been overwhelming.

“Everywhere we go, people know who we are, but we don’t know who they are. They know our names, but we don’t know theirs.”

Inspired and supported by Moten and Harris, the founding members of the Check It have become role models and entrepreneurs. Oppenheimer says some of the gang members are looking into becoming outreach workers themselves, and that Moten is looking for opportunities for them to talk to younger kids who are still out there.

Flor also reports that the youth have started to launch their own fashion label, Check It Enterprises. They’ve just set up their website and are currently selling stylish T-shirts to the general public. She says, “Basically the idea is to take their skills and turn it to something positive and that’s fashion. They’re pretty fly.”

As for the members of the Check It profiled in the movie, Trey says, “We’re focusing on the documentary and on launching our business. We’re putting 100 percent into it so we can get it off the ground the way we want it to be. Everything is coming together.”

Flor is glad that this movie has been a catalyst for the youth profiled in the film, but notes that more action is urgently needed.

“Marginalized LGBT youth, especially youth of color, exist everywhere,“ she says. “This is our city and these are our kids. People have really turned a blind eye to what’s going on and they should be getting a lot more support.”

“For a city like Washington, that is seen as quite progressive in the way LGBT groups are treated and respected, these kids are not getting the respect, the attention and the opportunities they deserve,” Oppenheier says. “They’re in plain sight but they’ve been quite forgotten. We hope that this film will shine a light on these amazing kids and show them for the smart, ambitious, funny, sensitive human beings that they are.”

And as Tray says in the movie, “I know I’m not where I want to be, but I’m not where I was yesterday. … You don’t have to be afraid to tell your story.”

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Summer in the City: Free exhibits, movies, more fill D.C.’s calendar

America 250 celebrations continue

Published

2 hours ago

on

July 26, 2026

By

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande star in ‘Wicked,’ screening Sept. 12 at Union Market. (Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures)

From late-night museum visits and outdoor jazz concerts to free movie screenings and America250 exhibitions, Washington’s summer calendar is packed with events that don’t charge admission. Here’s a look at some of the free activities happening across the District through September and beyond.

Museum exhibitions

The Renwick Gallery is presenting State Fairs: Growing American Craft, an exhibition that looks at unique and unconventional crafts from the 19th century to the present. It will run until Sept. 7, and admission is free. 

The Arts and Industries Building, located next to the Smithsonian Castle, is presenting the exhibition Voices and Votes: Exploring Democracy Across America. The exhibition features the development of American independence and what that has meant over time, beginning with the Revolutionary War. Admission to the museum is free, and the exhibition runs until Sept. 7.

The National Gallery of Art presents Dear America, an exhibit featuring more than 100 pieces of work, including letters, photographs, and drawings that depict American landscapes and depictions of freedom. The exhibition will run until Sept. 20.

The National Museum of Women in the Arts is exhibiting Burnished: Pueblo Pottery until Sept. 27. The exhibit features pottery from the Southwest, and while most of the pottery belongs to women artists, a few also reflect those who have advocated for women.

Extending past this summer, the exhibition ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa will be at the National Museum of the American Latino until July 2028. The exhibition shows how Afro-Cuban music has become a staple in the U.S. Admission is free.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library will feature the exhibition District Vibes / American Pride: How DC Changed American Culture, which will highlight all of the ways D.C. has impacted American life. The exhibit will run until Sept. 27.

At the Folger Shakespeare Library, the exhibit Imagining Shakespeare: Mythmaking and Storytelling in the Regency Era will be on view through Aug. 2. All the portraits on display come from the Boydell Shakespeare Gallery in London.

The United States Botanic Garden will be open until 8 p.m. on Aug. 20 and Sept. 17, as part of America’s State Flowers: An America250 Celebration. The evenings will include live music, mocktails, ice cream, and snacks.

The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden will have extended hours, staying open until 8 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday until Sept. 3. 

Live performances

On Aug. 7, the postgame Nationals concert series will continue with Jordan Davis performing. To see the concert, guests just need to buy tickets to the Nationals game. 

Jazz in the Garden will run each Friday until Aug. 14. The event has free admission, but those interested have to enter a lottery due to the high demand for the event.

From May to October, Capital Harvest Market occurs every Wednesday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. The market features fresh foods, crafts, and recipes for unique dishes. A full list of vendors is available on Capital Harvest’s website.

Live! Concert Series on the Plaza will feature live performances at Woodrow Wilson Plaza until Sept. 25. The performances run Monday to Friday from 12-1 p.m. Admission is free to the performances. 

DowntownDC Live! at Anthem Row is running until July 30, with free performances every Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The final performance will feature HUE and a vintage flea market hosted by Get Flee Marketplace. 

Located in Adams Morgan, AdMo Vibe will present live performances every Thursday at 6 p.m. in Kalorama Park. Guests are encouraged to check out Adams Morgan before and after shows, and it is an event for all ages.

Other events

Union Market is hosting drive-in movies on Aug. 8, featuring “Monsters, Inc.”, and Sept. 12, featuring “Wicked.” On Aug. 8, the parking lot will open at 7:30 p.m., with the movie starting at 8:25 p.m. On Sept. 12, the parking lot will open at 6:35 p.m., and the movie will start at 7:30 p.m.

Sunset Cinema at the Wharf will also be available one day a month. On Aug. 12, “10 Things I Hate About You” will premiere, and on Aug. 26, “Project Hail Mary.” No tickets are necessary. 

The Library of Congress will also show movies. On Aug. 6, guests are invited to watch “Apollo 13.” The movie will be shown at 8 p.m., with additional live performances beginning at 7 p.m.

For fans of Asian media, the Okaton convention will be at Walter E. Washington Convention Center from July 31-Aug. 2. Festivities will include cosplay contests, skits, live music, and panel discussions.

Washington Spirit’s season also begins in August. The Spirit is Washington’s National Women’s League, with matchups occurring between the San Diego Wave, the North Carolina Courage, the Orlando Pride, and the Bay FC.

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Summer in D.C. brings sports, Restaurant Week, festivals, and more

Published

3 days ago

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July 23, 2026

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Washington Spirit CEO Kim Stone hosts Pride Night OUT on Sunday, Aug. 23. (Photo courtesy of Washington Spirit)

Summer in D.C. just hits different. Congress is out, school is out, the sun is out, thighs are out. With the skies clearing from Canadian smoke, here are a few ways to stay entertained.

Dining

Summer restaurant week: The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) is once again hosting Summer Restaurant Week, Aug. 18-24. This weeklong dining experience showcases the dynamic dining scene of the DMV, including 2026 RAMMY Award-winning favorites (the annual D.C. food awards show that took place June 29). Participating restaurants will offer three-course brunch and lunch selections for $25 or $35 per person, and three-course dinners for $40, $55 and $65 per person.

New Restaurants: A handful of new spots have opened, so the summer is a great time to check them out:

  • Oribu: A new Mediterranean-Japanese restaurant in the Grand Hyatt hotel, which just underwent a remodeling effort. The sleek restaurant brings upscale charm, with dishes like Wagyu beef tartare with potato pavé and caviar.
  • The Oak Room: A snazzy old-school American grill has just opened in Georgetown, alongside its sister upstairs supper club (Bernadette’s) restaurant, in the old El Centro space.
  • Uchi: This showy Japanese sushi-forward chain has landed in Dupont with a chef’s tasting menu of favorites like fatty tuna.
  • Kathmandu: Recalling the capital of Nepal, this warm, buzzy subterranean restaurant right in the heart of U Street brings spice, flair, and rare ingredients to its dishes (see: buffalo burgers) and drinks.

Sports

  • Washington Spirit Pride Night OUT: On Sunday, Aug. 23, head to Audi Field for a massive, high-energy game following the exciting month of World Cup. The designated Pride Night OUT game promises boisterous crowds plus pre- and post-game community engagements. 
  • Washington Tennis Open – Now called the Mubadala DC Open, this annual tournament is only combined mens’ and womens’ 500-level tennis tournament in the world. The open is one of D.C.’s longest-standing sports traditions, and will take place at the Rock Creek Park Tennis Center July 25-Aug. 2. Naomi Osaka, Venus Williams, Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, and others are expected to play.

Festivals

  • Afro Plus Fest: This huge, three-day Afro-Caribbean Hip-Hop Festival brings together headliners Davido, Alkaline, and Wizkid, plus Tems and Ayra Starr. The event moves from RFK to the Northwest Stadium Complex for three days, Sept. 4-6.
  • Capital Fringe Festival: Running from July 11-21, this massive celebration features dozens of live theater, comedy, dance, and boundary-pushing nighttime performances across multiple DC neighborhoods. 
  • The National Book Festival returns, with headliners like Cynthia Erivo, and Martin Scorsese. The one-day festival, Saturday, Aug. 22, brings together bookworms and word nerds under the theme “America 250: It’s Your Story.” There are talks, workshops, musical sessions and more.
  • All Things Go: A three-day festival Sept. 25-27 at Merriweather Post Pavilion featuring Mitski, Hayley Williams, Brandi Carlile, MUNA, Zara Larsson, Ethel Cain, and many, many more artists. There are single-day and three-day tickets. Featuring and highlighting female artists, the festival has turned into a must-see for many LGBTQ audience members.
  • Fuchsia Fest: The inaugural Fuchsia Fest is a new multi-day celebration created to celebrate LGBTQ community and expression, bringing together a mix of community gatherings, entertainment, and nightlife. The event takes place Sept. 18-20 and is hosted by Capital Pride.

Art and Music

  • United We Dance: A high-energy rave with house, techno, bass, and festival music, on Aug. 1 at the 9:30 Club. 
  • The Fray. On Aug. 14, this American rock band famous for How To Save A Life is at Merriweather Post Pavilion.
  • Kesha: Kesha’s high-energy The Freedom Tour comes to the D.C. area on Aug. 14 at Jiffy Lube Live.
  • ALOK: On Sept. 3 at Lincoln Theater, ALOK (they/them) performs. The poet, comedian, and actor is putting on a new comedy show.
  • 2charm, the emerging Australian electronic club-pop duo popular with the queer community, which blends hyperpop and dance music, comes to the Atlantis.
  • Sapphic Dance Party: a vibrant, inclusive nightlife and social event designed specifically for queer women, lesbians, bisexuals, trans individuals, and nonbinary folks, at Atlantis on Aug. 21.
  • Jazz in the Garden: The most quintessential of D.C. activities returns Friday evenings through Aug. 14. This season’s theme, “American Sounds,” is a nod to the nation’s 250th anniversary. Tunes themes range from Appalachian and Americana to Creole jazz, Hill Country blues, contemporary jazz, and more. Tickets are available through a lottery system a week before each event.
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Tickets on sale for chef Patrick O’Connell’s book launch event

Sept. 18 kickoff to feature José Andrés, Tom Sietsema

Published

5 days ago

on

July 21, 2026

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Acclaimed chef Patrick O’Connell is preparing to publish his new memoir, “Main, Middle & Gay” in September and he’s launching the book with an event on Sept. 18 at 6 p.m. at Lisner Auditorium featuring Chef José Andrés and former Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema.

Tickets for the event go on sale Tuesday, July 21 at Ticketmaster; prices start at $55.

 O’Connell, who’s gay, is the pioneering Michelin-starred chef and longtime proprietor of the Inn at Little Washington. He spoke with the Blade about the September event and the launch of his first memoir.

 “I’ve known [Andrés and Sietsema] for more than 25 years and I have great respect for them,” O’Connell said. “I felt that it would allow us to add a different dimension rather than just have an interviewer. The chemistry will be fun and lively and unpredictable and exciting. I think we’re all different personalities and we’ll compliment each other.”

O’Connell has published cookbooks but this is his first memoir. The event will feature a short film that will highlight his work and the Inn.

“What I hope to do with the event is bring the book to life visually,” he said. “So we’re producing a short film that will be part of it. Most of the audience will not have read the book so it’ll give them a visual flavor of the book. It parallels the evolution of American cuisine over 50 years. It’s a rare perspective to be in the trenches for that long.”

The book’s title refers to the location of the garage on the corner of Main, Middle, and Gay streets in Washington, Va., where he launched his restaurant that became an international culinary destination. 

The Blade will publish the rest of its wide-ranging interview with O’Connell in September in conjunction with the book’s release.

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