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News & ArtsWednesday, September 28, 2011
News The Gangs of D.C.
Posted by Dan Savage on Wed, Sep 28, 2011 at 2:07 PM
The gay gangs of D.C.:
"I just got tired of people beating on me and calling me faggie,” Tayron Bennett, 21, told me recently. He’d helped to organize Check It while a student at Hine Junior High School. Other gay youths from his Trinidad neighborhood in Northeast soon joined, followed by gay youths from throughout the city.
D.C. police estimate that Check It has a core membership of about 20 and counts between 50 and 100 others as “associates.”
“At first, I tried fighting bullies one-on-one, but they don’t fight fair; they fight two and three on one,” Bennett said. So the youths got together and “started carrying mace, knives, brass knuckles and stun guns, and if somebody messed with one of us then all of us would gang up on them.”
They're bashing back. Good for them... so long as they're just bashing bashers.
1
I like it! Stand up to bullies! That goes for kids and adults. We have the right to defend ourselves.
2
"For Bennett, the focus now is just on staying out of trouble. But sitting at home all day is “boring,” as he put it. Adding to the restlessness, he knows that Check It members are just a tweet away, eagerly awaiting word from him to meet downtown and start the drama anew."
This would make an ama-hazing documentary.
This would make an ama-hazing documentary.
3
Way to go, fellas. The only reason the bullies and ministers pick on teh gays is they're perceived to be weak and alone. Kick some ass and then you'll be respected. I hate to think this way and wish we were more sane as a species, but I'd rather see people standing up for themselves than otherwise.
5
Not to make light of a pretty serious subject matter, but I can't help but smile a little that the outrageous bigotry permitted and supported by anti-gay crusaders are now pretty much responsible for creating this, which is both:
1) their worst kind of scare tactic nightmare (roaming! gay! gangs!)
2) an actual gay porn scenario I've seen coming to life
1) their worst kind of scare tactic nightmare (roaming! gay! gangs!)
2) an actual gay porn scenario I've seen coming to life
6
Sounds like the Pink Posse from Queer as Folk. And it sounds like it could get out of hand really fast, but until it does I can't help but root for them.
7
Sounds like a good way to get dead in a hurry. Don't fuck with this shit unless you really know what you're doing. Some people do.
8
I'd like to take this opportunity to coin the word "gayng" and bury it forever. No one is allowed to use that word. Ever.
9
Sounds sort of analogous to the Pink Pistols, although their M.O. is geared toward lawful concealed carry and is probably not popular among a lot of the Capitol Hill crowd, especially the younger crowd.
10
This could go either way. This matter could escalate into something awful.
No, the gays shouldn't have to shut up and take it, and yes, this young man was provoked into action, but is it working? Is it stable? Or are the homophobic gangs just getting bigger in response?
No, the gays shouldn't have to shut up and take it, and yes, this young man was provoked into action, but is it working? Is it stable? Or are the homophobic gangs just getting bigger in response?
11
Well. Hum. So if a bunch of urban gay black kids can go from bullied to bullies, maybe the Dems DON'T have to raise their knees up around their ears every time the Rethuglicans decide to slap them around.
12
What Vince said. Dan, why would they bash anyone who isn't a basher? Is the use of violence in self-defense really that much of a slippery slope?
If you're thinking, "Let the police take care of it", well, the police don't go after anonymous gay-bashers, just like they won't go after the guy on the bus who stole your wallet.
If you're thinking, "Let the police take care of it", well, the police don't go after anonymous gay-bashers, just like they won't go after the guy on the bus who stole your wallet.
14
Carrying lethal weapons like knives is not the bestest of ideas. It drastically elevates the risk of serious injury or worse, both for your assailant and you. More importantly, most jurisdictions do not allow the use of lethal countermeasures to non-lethal attacks, and the kid could be charged and convicted of manslaughter-- even though he wasn't the original assailant.
Put more simply, if you punch me in the face, I don't get to pull out my gun and shoot you. I have to be in reasonable fear of my life or "serious bodily harm" before I'm permitted to use lethal self-defense. A broken nose does not qualify.
[Aside: I don't necessarily agree with the law; I'm just stating what the law usually is.]
Put more simply, if you punch me in the face, I don't get to pull out my gun and shoot you. I have to be in reasonable fear of my life or "serious bodily harm" before I'm permitted to use lethal self-defense. A broken nose does not qualify.
[Aside: I don't necessarily agree with the law; I'm just stating what the law usually is.]
15
"Bashing" as you put it is never a thing to celebrate. Even violence in self defense is tragic. There are effective non-violent models to follow if you care look at history or, for that matter, if you care to look past your own primal impulse to wound back.
Shouldn't we aspire to be more than animal brutes?
WWGD? (what would Gandhi do)
Shouldn't we aspire to be more than animal brutes?
WWGD? (what would Gandhi do)
16
Fuck you, Dan. You have officially crossed the line into blithering, incomprehensibly short-sighted repugnance. Enjoy your time in the company of the likes of Hitchens and Rooney.
This isn't a fucking revenge movie. It's not a TV show. These kids are going to start carrying weapons, and other kids, both bashers and innocent bystanders, are going to get hurt. Cheering on gangs, any kind of gang, puts blood on your hands.
So again, fuck you, Dan, you worthless hypocrite. If you're so gung-ho for violence-based solutions, get your ass out on the street and do it yourself.
This isn't a fucking revenge movie. It's not a TV show. These kids are going to start carrying weapons, and other kids, both bashers and innocent bystanders, are going to get hurt. Cheering on gangs, any kind of gang, puts blood on your hands.
So again, fuck you, Dan, you worthless hypocrite. If you're so gung-ho for violence-based solutions, get your ass out on the street and do it yourself.
17
“If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground. They want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters. This struggle may be a moral one; or it may be a physical one; or it may be both moral and physical; but it must be a struggle.”
― Frederick Douglass
― Frederick Douglass
19
I was in DC a year ago and sat on the subway near a group of gay gang banger kids who fit that description. They were very loud and boisterous, and constantly play-fighting and bumnping into other passengers. I wanted to film them because they were hilarious, but they might have taken umbrage.
20
@15
We shouldn't ask what Ghandhi would do, rather what would our opponents do to Ghandhi. These conservatives would gleefully slaughter men, women and children as long as they were liberals, leftists or non-Christians. Look at the response to Utoye Island,. Troy Davis execution, the Kelly Thomas execution.
These people are ready to kill us at the drop of a hat. There is no reason why we shouldn't be armed, trained and ready to fight.
I'd follow Zapata before I'd follow Gandhi.
We shouldn't ask what Ghandhi would do, rather what would our opponents do to Ghandhi. These conservatives would gleefully slaughter men, women and children as long as they were liberals, leftists or non-Christians. Look at the response to Utoye Island,. Troy Davis execution, the Kelly Thomas execution.
These people are ready to kill us at the drop of a hat. There is no reason why we shouldn't be armed, trained and ready to fight.
I'd follow Zapata before I'd follow Gandhi.
21
This makes me nervous, violence is always a last resort. That being said there are definitely groups that need to fight back, and I believe the gay community has tried to blend peacefully for long enough.
Obviously I don't want to see people being drug behind a truck down a gravel road... oh wait, actually I would like to see that happen to the soulless individuals who torture others because they are 'different'.
Obviously I don't want to see people being drug behind a truck down a gravel road... oh wait, actually I would like to see that happen to the soulless individuals who torture others because they are 'different'.
22
I wish them the best and hope that none of this blows back too hard (I mean, if they are also black, that could go horribly horribly wrong if anything winds up getting the police called in).
Hopefully Check It is in terms of checking the violence (surprised that interpretation didn't come up in the article).
That said, @4 FTW!
Hopefully Check It is in terms of checking the violence (surprised that interpretation didn't come up in the article).
That said, @4 FTW!
24
Two-pronged tactics work better than single-pronged. People forget that MLK's success was at least in part because whitey was shit scared of Malcolm X, the Black Panthers, and other militant groups. And I'm pretty sure there was the threat of unrest in Gandhi's time, too.
25
@21
There is justified violence, wars of independence, wars of revolution, wars of national liberation and wars of the People. Non-violence would have taken decades to free the Slaves. It would have failed in Kosovo, it would have failed in Chechnya, it failed in Russia.
That being said, violence in this case is not directly necessary. However the implied value of force is essential in the defense of minorities. If it won't be provided by the police force, the government, and the society, it is up to the minority to defend itself, whether through force or implied force.
There is justified violence, wars of independence, wars of revolution, wars of national liberation and wars of the People. Non-violence would have taken decades to free the Slaves. It would have failed in Kosovo, it would have failed in Chechnya, it failed in Russia.
That being said, violence in this case is not directly necessary. However the implied value of force is essential in the defense of minorities. If it won't be provided by the police force, the government, and the society, it is up to the minority to defend itself, whether through force or implied force.
26
If anyone's interested, the book "Captive Genders" has some really great narrative histories of gay street youth organizations that would probably be considered gangs today, that formed in the late 60's and early 70's. Pretty neat stuff. Here's a link:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/99540…
Also, GO TEAM!
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/99540…
Also, GO TEAM!
27
@20
How did Gandhi die?
Did he accomplish anything?
How is he remembered?
Did the whole world learn anything from his life?
How many violent characters are loose in the world today, lashing out, destroying those around them and then being swept into the dustbin of history?
How did Gandhi die?
Did he accomplish anything?
How is he remembered?
Did the whole world learn anything from his life?
How many violent characters are loose in the world today, lashing out, destroying those around them and then being swept into the dustbin of history?
28
@27 - Yeah, fame is an accurate measure of influence. Is it possible Gandhi gets all the credit because he took a fairly novel approach? Because he had a dramatic death? Because we prefer to remember the end of British occupation of India as being peaceful and pleasant?
29
Sure, as long as vigilantism doesn't get, you know, out of hand, it should be fine, right? What could go wrong?
On a completely unrelated note, have you ever noticed that the governmental department that's in charge of sending planes to far away countries to drop bombs on them is called the department of "defense?"
Good for them... so long as they're just bashing bashers.
Sure, as long as vigilantism doesn't get, you know, out of hand, it should be fine, right? What could go wrong?
On a completely unrelated note, have you ever noticed that the governmental department that's in charge of sending planes to far away countries to drop bombs on them is called the department of "defense?"
30
I see folks from this group in Chinatown on the regular and they are often really irritating... but all in all, I'm glad they've found a group that will stick up for each other. I just worry there will be an ever-escalating need to do things to prove themselves to rival gangs and general bigots.
31
@27
Gandhi helped birth two of the most violent nations in the history of the modern world. Gandhi didn't change a thing other than borders. India and Pakistan still suffer atrocious crimes that are part of the structure of their societies. Rape, honor killing, institutional/cultural/religious prostitution (including child sex slavery), and other issues. India has one of the longest running Marxist insurgencies in the world.
I mean I guess if you want to worship someone who was assassinated after only hastening the end of colonialism in the Indian subcontinent (which was going to happen eventually) sure go on right ahead. Just realize that India is still a corrupt autocratic society ruled by a cultural and wealthy elite while the poor suffer daily.
Oh and in case you don't get it, Gandhi didn't change a damn thing. If you think he did, you're delusional.
Gandhi helped birth two of the most violent nations in the history of the modern world. Gandhi didn't change a thing other than borders. India and Pakistan still suffer atrocious crimes that are part of the structure of their societies. Rape, honor killing, institutional/cultural/religious prostitution (including child sex slavery), and other issues. India has one of the longest running Marxist insurgencies in the world.
I mean I guess if you want to worship someone who was assassinated after only hastening the end of colonialism in the Indian subcontinent (which was going to happen eventually) sure go on right ahead. Just realize that India is still a corrupt autocratic society ruled by a cultural and wealthy elite while the poor suffer daily.
Oh and in case you don't get it, Gandhi didn't change a damn thing. If you think he did, you're delusional.
32
@28
The end of British rule was peaceful, the birth of India and Pakistan was not. Violence began and it has not ended. Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus started murdering each other the first day of Independence.
The end of British rule was peaceful, the birth of India and Pakistan was not. Violence began and it has not ended. Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus started murdering each other the first day of Independence.
33
The Stonewall riots were drag queens kicking the ass of cops that had been kicking the drag queen's asses for too long. White Night riots were the GLBT fighting back. Minorities get no respect until they fight back and stand up and say "Enough!".
35
Self defense is great. Taking on bullies is great. Gangs with the corresponding attitudes, not so much. When it escalates to guns, there won't be much cheering.
37
Consequences. Until there are consequences for those who taunt, abuse and assault LGBT folk, the abuse won't stop.
The consequences can be social condemnation, criminalization and prosecution, or getting your head beat in.
Of the three, the third is frought with problems, including legal, but hey, whatever works. If LGBT victims aren't such a pain-free target anymore, the cowards who beat on them might think twice.
Meanwhile, can't we put some more effort into the first two?
The consequences can be social condemnation, criminalization and prosecution, or getting your head beat in.
Of the three, the third is frought with problems, including legal, but hey, whatever works. If LGBT victims aren't such a pain-free target anymore, the cowards who beat on them might think twice.
Meanwhile, can't we put some more effort into the first two?
38
Um, guys, the article said that this kid was expelled because he flew into a rage and assaulted a teacher. The teacher's crime? Said that Bennett 'acted gay'.
I can see carrying mace and stun guns, and rallying quickly to each others' defense. I'm okay with fighting back physically, when violence is offered. Knives and brass knuckles will put someone in the hospital or the morgue. Let's not celebrate this kid as a freedom fighter just yet.
I can see carrying mace and stun guns, and rallying quickly to each others' defense. I'm okay with fighting back physically, when violence is offered. Knives and brass knuckles will put someone in the hospital or the morgue. Let's not celebrate this kid as a freedom fighter just yet.
44
The article kind of makes it sound like they go out looking for, and if not finding, stirring up trouble. Self defense is one thing, attacking is something else entirely.
But it is the Washington Post.....
But it is the Washington Post.....
46
Here's another gang that started out "defending" themselves and their people:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUP17oqmM…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=m93a…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrFABkdO4…
The Hells Angels started out as a legitimate motorcycle club. FSU started out targeting drug dealers and skinheads. Look what they turned into. There is no difference between a gay street gang, a hardcore gang or a biker gang. Gang violence is gang violence is gang violence.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUP17oqmM…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=m93a…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrFABkdO4…
The Hells Angels started out as a legitimate motorcycle club. FSU started out targeting drug dealers and skinheads. Look what they turned into. There is no difference between a gay street gang, a hardcore gang or a biker gang. Gang violence is gang violence is gang violence.
47
I see nothing wrong with kicking the shit out of violent homophobic bullies in the imminent defense of oneself or others, but, as with all vigilantism, this has the potential to get out of hand. It sounds like it might already be courting a retaliation/escalation model, which usually winds up bad for everyone involved. What if they start defining homophobia in the same way as GLAAD? They could wind up going after e.g. gay men for reclaimed/disempowered uses of "fag".
49
Not a very well thought out post. There's a vast difference between safety in numbers and fighting back when someone attacks you on one hand, and being "one of the largest, more aggressive gangs in the city," assaulting people with weapons when they merely call you names, and going out and seeking violence on the other.
51
I have been waiting a long time for this. I'm generally a pacifist, but that doesn't always work. Black people got no respect until the Black Panthers came along and scared the shit out of white people. Only then was grudging respect given. Gay people will have to make it clear that violence will be overcome by any means possible. Then it will change.
52
The outpouring of gleeful and bloodthirsty cheerleading for vigilante violence in this thread is both distressing and disappointing. What happened to the moral highground? Being part of a civil society means not condoning violence just because it affords the thrill of acting out adolescent revenge fantasies.
53
@19, they won't take umbrage, they'll just take your phone, for realz. Groups of roving teens in DC - gay, straight, whatever - are a menace to society. I can see why they reacted in such a way, but it's not something to be celebrated, rounding down to the lowest common denominator or whatnot. Standing up for yourself/your friends =/= to creating a violent street gang, which now doesn't just "bash the bashers" but is part and parcel of the problems at Gallery Place: fights, theft, threats to passers-by, harassment, and other unsavory behaviors. I LIVE where these kids live, I probably pass them on the street from time to time (alone or in a small group at that point), and I STILL avoid the sidewalk by the National Portrait Gallery because I do not need to be harassed or feel that if I answer my phone it will be jacked faster than I can say "hello." Groups embolden people, and when that group is set on being violent, uncivilized, and obnoxious, the results are disastrous.
Also, surprised to see Courtland Milloy speak AGAINST this. Overall, though, I highly recommend you avoid Milloy's work, Dan. This was a rare gem, but he ultimately thinks you're a myopic little twit, too.
Also, surprised to see Courtland Milloy speak AGAINST this. Overall, though, I highly recommend you avoid Milloy's work, Dan. This was a rare gem, but he ultimately thinks you're a myopic little twit, too.
54
Agree with 46. Saw a documentary about gangs and apparently a lot of them started out as vigilante groups formed to protect the innocent, but then they have a tendency degrade into street thugs (power corrupts). In theory it's self-defense, but in reality vigilantes typically do more harm than good and rarely stay true to their original cause. Most are torch-carrying mobs on a witch hunts looking for scapegoats to blame. Sort of like owning a gun- statistically much more likely to wind up in the wrong hands and harm someone you love than to be used for self-protection. You can't take a handful of suicides or murders and make them justification for street gangs- just doesn't work.
55
20
Slaughter?
oh my....
Just how many Americans have conservatives slaughtered?
Two? Three?...
How many people are infected with AIDS by homosexuals?
In a week. Every week....
A thousand? Two?
While you are shivering under your bed ponder the concept of proportional allocation of resources.
Slaughter?
oh my....
Just how many Americans have conservatives slaughtered?
Two? Three?...
How many people are infected with AIDS by homosexuals?
In a week. Every week....
A thousand? Two?
While you are shivering under your bed ponder the concept of proportional allocation of resources.
56
Many places the British enlightened reverted to seething savage hellholes once the British left...
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