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Comings & Goings
Ronté Pierce new director of Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington’s Seasons of Love Ensemble
The Comings & Goings column is about sharing the professional successes of our community. We want to recognize those landing new jobs, new clients for their business, joining boards of organizations and other achievements. Please share your successes with us at: [email protected].
The Comings & Goings column also invites LGBTQ college students to share their successes with us. If you have been elected to a student government position, gotten an exciting internship, or are graduating and beginning your career with a great job, let us know so we can share your success.
Congratulations to Ronté Pierce who joined GMCW as director of the Seasons of Love Ensemble. Seasons of Love is a 15-member outreach ensemble of the GMCW, with the mission to celebrate and promote social justice advocacy through soulful music that inspires, strengthens, and unites our community. Ronté said “I’m excited to lead such a talented and fun ensemble whose diversity is represented in its members and repertoire. The ensemble’s versatility in performing R&B, gospel, pop and other genres is truly amazing. I’m excited for the opportunity to contribute to the development of artistic, community and outreach programming with Thea Kano, GMCW’s Artistic Director.”
Ronté brings over 33 years of singing, performing and directing experience with faith-based, community, academic and choral vocal ensembles; as well as experience with musical theater and opera to his position as the director of the Seasons of Love Ensemble. Ronté currently serves as one of three music teachers at Jackson-Reed High School in D.C., where he directs a successful choir program.
Ronté has his Bachelor of Arts in Music from North Carolina Central University in Durham, N.C.; master’s in music, Boston University and Education Specialist degree from Grand Canyon University.
Congratulations also to Lucas Fox Schleusener on his new position as a lecturer at Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service. Lucas said “I’m thrilled at the opportunity to teach graduate students at Georgetown in a first-of-its-kind course on the history, political science and public policy that undergirds the relationship between the national security state and LGBTQIA+ Americans. Translating my research and lived experience in national security into scholarship to be shared widely fills me with immense pride.”
Lucas also announced the formation of an advisory board, a body of senior national security and foreign policy practitioners, and other subject matter experts and luminaries, to enhance and further the mission of Out in National Security (ONS), the non-profit he began and currently serves as CEO. The first two members of this new and growing body are Brian Hale and Jesse Salazar. Out in National Security, is a non-profit professional and advocacy association with more than 2000 members. Lucas helped place more than two dozen LGBTQIA+ presidential appointees at the highest level across the government. He previously served with QOMPLX in Reston, Va., as Director of Public Policy. Prior to that he served in the Department of Defense in D.C. as speechwriter to the Secretary of Defense. Lucas is a Term Member of the Council on Foreign Relations, 2021-2026; sponsor of the Naval Academy LGBT Spectrum Club; and was a Security Fellow for Truman National Security Project, Class of 2019.
Lucas has his B.A. in History and International Affairs from Wesleyan University and an M.A., Middle East Studies from the University of Chicago.
Rehoboth Beach
Rehoboth Summer Kickoff Party set for May 15 with Ashley Biden
The Washington Blade’s 19th annual Summer Kickoff Party is scheduled for Friday, May 15 in Rehoboth Beach, Del.
Ashley Biden, daughter of President Joe Biden, has joined the list of speakers, the Blade announced. She will accept an award on behalf of her brother Beau Biden for his LGBTQ advocacy work as Delaware attorney general. (Her appearance was rescheduled from last year.)
The event, to be held this year at Diego’s (37298 Rehoboth Ave. Ext.) from 5-7 p.m., is a fundraiser for the Blade Foundation’s Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism, which funds a summer position reporting on LGBTQ news in Delaware. This year’s recipient will be introduced at the event.
The event will also feature remarks from state Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall. New CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Dr. Robin Brennan and Blade editor Kevin Naff will also speak. The event is generously sponsored by Realtor Justin Noble, The Avenue Inn & Spa, and Diego’s.
A suggested donation of $25 is partially tax deductible and includes a drink ticket and light appetizers. Tickets are available in advance at bladefoundation.org/rehoboth or at the door.
District of Columbia
Curve magazine honors Washington Blade publisher
Lynne Brown named to 2026 Power List
Washington Blade Publisher Lynne Brown has been named to the 2026 Curve Power List celebrating LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary individuals in North America who are blazing trails in their chosen fields.
“From sports and entertainment icons to corporate leaders and lawmakers, these individuals are breaking barriers, challenging norms, and shaping the future,” Curve Foundation/Curve magazine said in announcing this year’s list, which includes ABC newscaster Robin Roberts, comedian/actress Hannah Einbinder, and singer/actress Renee Rapp, among others.
Brown has worked for the Washington Blade for nearly 40 years. She was named publisher in 2007 before becoming a co-owner in 2010.
“I am honored to be recognized by Curve magazine during Lesbian Visibility Week,” Brown said. “Receiving this Curve honor is twofold. I was an early subscriber to Curve. I enjoy the product and know its history. Its journalism, layout and humorous features have inspired me.
“As an owner/publisher, receiving recognition from a similar source acknowledges my work and efforts, with a sincerity I truly appreciate. Franco Stevens, the publisher of Curve, is a business person of duration, experience, and purpose. The fact that they are in the media business, and honoring me and my publication makes it a tiny bit sweeter.”
Nominations for the Curve Power List come from the community: peers, mentors, fans, and employers.
Curve explained the significance of the list in its announcement: “An annual, publicly nominated list of impactful LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary changemakers is crucial in current times to counter discrimination, legislative rollbacks, hostility, and the invisibility of queer women within mainstream and marginal spaces and endeavors. Such a list also fosters encouragement and solidarity, and elevates voices and achievements—from high-profile roles to under appreciated areas of life.”
Rehoboth Beach
Auction of Rehoboth’s Blue Moon canceled
Details on sale of iconic bar, restaurant not disclosed
The Blue Moon in Rehoboth Beach, Del., has been an iconic presence in the local LGBTQ community for four decades but its status remains murky after a sheriff’s auction of the property was abruptly called off on Tuesday.
The property was listed for sale in December. At that time, owner Tim Ragan told the Blade that he is committed to preserving its legacy as a gay-friendly space.
“We had no idea the interest this would create,” Ragan said in December. “I guess I was a little naive about that.”
Ragan explained that he and longtime partner Randy Haney were separating the real estate from the business. The two buildings associated with the sale were listed by Carrie Lingo at 35 Baltimore Ave., and include an apartment, the front restaurant (6,600 square feet with three floors and a basement), and a secondary building (roughly 1,800 square feet on two floors). They were listed for $4.5 million.
The bar and restaurant business is being sold separately; the price was not publicly disclosed.
But then, earlier this year, the Blue Moon real estate listing turned up on the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office auction site. The auction was slated for Tuesday, April 21 but hours before the sale, the listing changed to “active under contract” indicating that a buyer has been found but the sale is not yet final. As of Wednesday morning, the listing has been removed from the sheriff’s auction site.
Ragan didn’t respond to Blade inquiries about the auction. Back in December, he told the Blade, “It’s time to look for the next people who can continue the history of the Moon and cultivate the next chapter,” noting that he turns 70 this year. “We’re not panicked; we separated the building from the business. Some buyers can’t afford both.”
The identity of the buyer was not disclosed, nor was the sale price.
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