homeboy structure

"Homeboy" opens with the laser removal treatment of several gang-related tattoos by a professional dermatologist. Sergio, 26, was an active gang member for 8 years. We see him weathering the pain of having numbing fluid injected into his elbow and fingers through a syringe prior to the tattoo removal. This powerful opening scene is symbolic of Sergio's departure from gang life, as well as an illustration of positive life choices he has made. He currently works with the City Project, a division of Children's Hospital of LA's Adolescent Medicine Program, where he performs outreach service and administers programs of "community building" among high-risk, gay Latinos, ages 15 to 26. On a professional level, Sergio doesn't want his tattoos to negatively influence the community of youths with whom he works. These tattoos also have the potential of endangering his safety, as well as those in his company, by being visible to active gang members.

The film finds its structure through the weaving together of interviews according to various themes, such as how these men were first introduced to a gang, their initial sexual experiences with men, masculine ideals from a Latino perspective, and the retelling of key events while gangbanging. Specific questions include: Why and when did you join a gang? How old were you? Did you get "jumped in" and what was that like? Were you sexually active within the gang? Did you practice safe sex? What attitudes did the homeboys have about gays? When did you first think you were attracted to men? How did you deal with these feelings? When were you first intimate with another man? How did it feel? What made you leave the gang? Do you have children? Are you "out" to your family or your homeboys? How did they react? What qualities do you look for in another man? Are you in a relationship now? As a Latino man, what are your attitudes concerning masculinity and sexuality and the idea of family? What do you want for your future?

Regarding his current goals, Joe remarks:

"I want to have a good career. I'd like a boyfriend in the future, but right now, I want to work on myself and being with my kids. I have kids and I have responsibilities."

We also see these men in their day-to-day activities, at home and at work, both alone and with friends and family. Examples include playing sports, cooking, ironing their clothes, exercising and going out at night. We see Sergio teaching a Cardio Kickboxing class at the YMCA in East LA, as well as competing in a regional YMCA competition with other athletes. In addition to Pete's involvement with Bienestar, leading support groups at their East LA drop-in center and participating in mountain weekend retreats, we also see him in and around the church environment, as he has returned to the seminary to further his theological instruction.