News & Notes

WIFV Members Release New Film about DC’s LGBTQ History

A trio of WIFV members worked together on a new documentary that’s being broadcast by WETA and MPT. LOU’S LEGACY: A REPORTER’S LIFE AT THE WASHINGTON BLADE tells the story of two DC icons: legendary newspaper reporter Lou Chibbaro Jr. and Donnell Robinson, a beloved drag performer who has been entertaining Washington’s LGBTQ community as “Ella Fitzgerald” since 1975. Produced by The Mattachine Society of Washington, DC, the 30-minute documentary traces the city’s gay history through the lens of Lou’s nearly five-decade career at the Blade, where he has chronicled stories that the mainstream media often ignored or erased. As Lou reports a news story about Ella’s triumphant return to the stage after a three-year hiatus during Covid, the two trailblazers reflect on their parallel journeys — and discuss the rising backlash facing the LGBTQ community, including laws targeting drag performers.

Patrick Sammon is the film’s director, producer, and writer. Julianne Donofrio was the producer. Ben Weinberg from Sandwich Post Production handled motion graphics. LOU’S LEGACY will be streaming on WETA.org. Here’s a news article about the film.

News & Notes Categories