Arts & Entertainment
Derrick Gordon to play in men’s NCAA tournament as first openly gay player
Seton Hall Pirates shooting guard will make LGBT history
Derrick Gordon came out to fans on his Instagram account with the statement, “This is the happiest I have ever been in my 22 Years of living…No more HIDING!!!” (Photo via FlashGordon Instagram)
Derrick Gordon will be the first openly gay Division I men’s basketball player to play in the NCAA tournament, according to USA Today.
Formerly a player on the University of Massachusetts Minutemen, the 24-year-old transferred to Seton Hall as a member of the Pirates. His sophomore year, Gordon reached the NCAA tournament with the Minutemen but was still in the closet at the time. He came out as gay in 2014 while still on the Minutemen’s basketball team,
The transfer has proven to be a success thus far for the basketball player who has averaged 7.9 points and 3.3 rebounds according to USA Today.
When Gordon transferred to Seton Hall, coach Kevin Willard told USA Today Sports that Gordon’s sexuality shouldn’t be relevant.
“For us, the fact that he’s gay is an old story. These kids know about Derrick, they’re on social media and are very informed,” Willard says. “This generation of athletes are much more educated on the gay athlete. I think the attention is brought on by adults. We make it a bigger deal. Some of these kids can teach us a lesson on how to handle this type of stuff.”
The Capital Pride Alliance presented the 2026 Capital Pride Honors at “The Audacity Brunch: In Full Fuchsia” at the Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C. on Sunday, June 7.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)
Out & About
Congressional Cemetery hosts Gays & Graves
Daylong Pride celebration blends history, remembrance, art and community
Historic Congressional Cemetery will host the second annual “Gays & Graves: A Big Gay Festival” on Sunday, June 14 at 11 a.m.
The event will feature pioneering activist Randy Wicker, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, and new public art installations and programs celebrating LGBTQ+ history. Gays & Graves is an official partner event of Capital Pride 2026.
This event is a daylong Pride celebration blending history, remembrance, art and community. Visitors can shop from LGBTQ+ and allied artists and makers, experience performances and interactive installations, and engage with programs exploring LGBTQ+ history and lived experience.
For more details, visit the cemetery’s website.
Baltimore Pride is underway, taking place from June 8-14.
The Pride Parade will be on Saturday, June 13 at 12 p.m. at Charles Street & North Avenue, followed by the Pride Block Party at 1 p.m. at Druid Hill Park. And then the Pride Festival will be held on Sunday, June 14 at 12 p.m. at Druid Hill Park.
There will be an array of additional events including: a fashion show, a “Suits and Sneakers” reception and a 5k race, among many other events.
For more details, visit Baltimore Pride’s website.
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