Local
Fired GWU coach accused of trying to out athletic director
Longeran allegedly spread rumors about Nero

Mike Lonergan was fired by GWU. (Photo by Rikster2; courtesy Wikimedia Commons)
George Washington University announced on Sept. 17 that it has fired controversial men’s basketball coach Mike Lonergan following an investigation triggered by a Washington Post expose in which players said Lonergan told them the G.W. athletic director, Patrick Nero, masturbated in his office while watching videos of the players practicing.
“Players said Lonergan shared his distaste for Nero in a manner both inappropriate and outlandish,” the Post reported in a July 21 story. “Five current and former players said Lonergan told players Nero requested the practice tapes so he could masturbate while viewing them in his office,” the Post story said.
“The players said Lonergan also told them Nero had engaged in a sexual relationship with a member of the team,” the story reported. “Players said they found those comments to be shocking and offensive, with no grounding in reality,” the Post reported.
Nero and university officials declined to comment on the Post’s revelations at the time the Post published its story. But Nero’s attorney, Debra Katz, who did not respond to a request by the Blade for comment, told the Post that Nero has always been a strong advocate for the welfare of student athletes.
“He will not be deterred from advocating for students by false and reprehensible remarks,” the Post quoted her as saying.
In addition to reporting on Lonergan’s reported remarks about Nero, the Post story reported that at least 13 men’s basketball players left the team and the university during the past five years because of what those who knew them said was bizarre and abusive behavior by Lonergan toward his players.
“The university recently conducted a thorough investigation into allegations concerning Coach Lonergan,” G.W. Provost Forrest Maltzman said in a statement released on Sept. 17. “The university concluded that Coach Lonergan had engaged in conduct inconsistent with the university’s values,” Maltzman said in his statement.
District of Columbia
D.C. gears up for a weekend of trans empowerment
Washington is set to host a vibrant, multi-day celebration spotlighting the city’s trans and gender-diverse community with a daylong conference, lively after-parties, and community hangouts.

Trans Pride returns to Washington, D.C. on Saturday, May 17 for a full day of empowerment, education, and celebration—created by and for trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse people. The annual event uplifts the voices of the local trans community through workshops, panels, and networking, all in the spirit of resilience and joy.
(Note: Due to the current political climate surrounding people with gender-diverse identities, the location of many events are being withheld until you RSVP.)
The day, structured as a conference, features nearly 30 workshops covering a wide variety of topics specifically designed to uplift members of the D.C. trans community. From navigating recent federal ID document changes to Trans Sex Ed Trivia and Strategies for Growing Your Small Business in Uncertain Times, there’s something for every trans person in the lineup. Additionally, the event will include panel discussions, a resource and exhibitor fair, and networking opportunities.
After Trans Pride, the official after-party will be held from 6-9:30 p.m. This 18+ event’s location will be disclosed after RSVP-ing.
Following the official after-party, the official after-after party will be held at Sinners and Saints (2309 18th St., N.W.). Dubbed the “Not-Cis-Tine Chapel,” the event runs from 9 p.m.-3 a.m. with drink deals including $5 rail shots all night and jello shot discounts. Trans DJs Franxx and El Sucio will be spinning all night at this 21+ event.
On Sunday the 18th, Trans Pride will host Sunday Funday, where members of the trans community are invited to enjoy “games, drinks, and friends” from 2-6 p.m. The location will be shared after RSVP-ing.
To help kick off WorldPride, the Trans Pride Welcome Party will be held on June 6 starting at 7 p.m. This 21+ event will start the season right with a night of sparkle and shine. Glam looks are encouraged, and the location will be shared after RSVP-ing.
To RSVP to any of the events above, visit transpridewashingtondc.org/home
District of Columbia
¡Libre Soy! Latinx Pride comes to D.C.
A vibrant series of inclusive celebrations highlights the intersection of heritage, self-expression, and community empowerment of the Latinx LGBTQ community throughout Washington, D.C.

Latinx Pride kicks off on May 16 with a packed schedule of vibrant, community-centered events celebrating queer Latinx identity through art, movement, history, and joy. From dance performances and spiritual gatherings to film screenings and late-night parties, this year’s programming invites LGBTQ Latinx folks and allies to connect, heal, and celebrate across Washington, D.C.
On May 16 and 17 at 7:30 p.m., Latinx Pride begins with Amor, Dolor y Sabor—a dance event that is part of the Latinx Movement Festival. An all-queer Latinx cast of color will dance across genre boundaries, from contemporary to ballet folklórico, to highlight the unique Latinx queer identity. The event is at Dance Loft on 14th (4618 14th St., N.W.), with tickets still available.
On May 18 at 11 a.m., La Sanación 1: Indigenous Welcome invites LGBTQ Latinx people to connect with their ancestral roots by joining a guided spiritual practice and learning activity. The location of this event is TBD, but will be made public on the Latinx Pride website closer to the event.
On May 22, there will be a Latinx Professionals Networking Mixer at Kiki (915 U St NW) at 6 p.m., followed immediately after by the Latinx Pride Kickoff Reception at 8 p.m. Tickets are required for both events.
La Sanación 2: Movement in Nature will take place on May 24 on the Potomac River, starting at the Key Bridge Boathouse (3500 Water St NW). The community is invited to “Take a breath, grab a paddle, and join us on the water for a healing day of kayaking and connection.” Tickets are available now.
From 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 25, Latinx Pride is hosting La Fe: Celebrating Faith and Resilience at the Metropolitan Community Church of Washington (474 Ridge St NW). An RSVP is requested.
Thursday, May 29 is La Fiesta: The Official Latinx Pride Party at Bunker (2001 14th St NW), where everyone is invited to dance the night away to Latin hits! The party starts at 9 p.m., with tickets required.
Noche de Jotería: A Queer Latine Variety Show will take place on Friday, May 30 at Theater Alliance (340 Maple Dr SW) for a night of “dance, drag, and jotería!” The show begins at 8 p.m., and tickets are required.
In a special collaboration with DC Public Library and Loyalty Bookstore, the Los Bookis podcast will host a live recording at MLK Library (901 G St NW) at 4 p.m. The podcast episode, “Alligators, Mermen, and Latine Queer Bookworms, Oh My!” will feature authors Venessa Vida Kelley and Edgar Gomez for an afternoon of Latinx literature. RSVP is requested.
On May 31, after the WorldPride kickoff event—Shakira’s Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran concert at Nationals Park (1500 South Capitol St SE)—everyone is invited to dance the night away at AI Warehouse – Union Market (530 Penn St NE) at 10 p.m. Tickets are required to attend.
La Sanación 3: Wellness and Relaxation will be held on June 1 in Dupont Circle at 9 a.m. and invites the Latinx LGBTQ community to “stretch, dance, and relax with us outdoors in Dupont Circle” amid a busy Pride season.
Later in the evening on June 1, the DC Latinx LGBTQ History Tour will start at 2 p.m. at Adams Morgan Plaza (1800 Columbia Rd NW). Everyone is invited to learn about DC’s Latinx LGBTQ history: “hear the stories, visit the places, and honor the people who paved the way.” An RSVP is requested.
At 6 p.m. on June 2, Latinx femmes, mascs, nonbinary folks, and cis women are invited to the Chicas & Femmes Mixer to “connect, celebrate, and just be free to love.” The location is TBD, but tickets are available now.
On Wednesday, June 4, masculine members of the Latinx LGBTQ community are invited to “Suéltate” at the Papi Chulo Mixer at District Eagle (1357B U St NW). Dance to Spanish hits in Washington’s only kink bar. Tickets are not needed, but are available.
On June 5, the queer Latinx community is invited to dance away any stress at El Mozo: Yes To All. The event’s location is TBD but will start at 10 p.m., with tickets still available.
On Friday, June 6, the Latinx Film Festival will start at 4 p.m. at The Festival Center (1640 Columbia Rd NW). “Three films, one night, and a celebration of cultura, comunidad, and pride.” Tickets are required.
Libre Soy Night Party will be held on June 6 at Bunker (2001 14th St., N.W.) to “Dance like you’re free—because you are.” Tickets are available now.
On Friday, June 13, Jotería: Our Untold Stories will begin at 8 p.m. at the Kogod Theatre at Arena Stage (1101 6th St., S.W.). Join queer Latinx performers as they show what it means to be “brown, queer, and unapologetic.” Tickets are still available.
Latinx Pride will conclude with La Plática: Lessons from Our Histories on June 19 at The Festival Center (1640 Columbia Rd., N.W.). There, the community is invited to learn how their queer Latinx identity can “guide us in resisting hate and building power, together.” Tickets are required.
For tickets and to RSVP to any of the events above, visit: https://www.latinxhistoryproject.org/pride
Local
Blade names Delaware journalism fellowship recipient
Abigail Hatting to cover LGBTQ issues this summer

The Blade Foundation this week announced the recipient of its eighth annual Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism.
The fellowship was awarded to Abigail Hatting, a rising senior at American University in Washington, D.C., studying journalism with minors in political science and Spanish. She has served as local news editor of The Eagle student newspaper at AU and as an intern for Voice of America News.
“I’m very excited to have received the Elkins Fellowship,” she said. “I can’t wait to dive into the LGBTQ scene in Delaware and report on issues that are important to the community. I’m excited to deepen my reporting skills and learn from the Blade’s experienced team to contribute meaningful coverage at the oldest LGBTQ newspaper in the country.”
Hatting will cover issues of interest to Delaware’s LGBTQ community for 12 weeks this summer. The fellowship is named in honor of Steve Elkins, a journalist and co-founder of the CAMP Rehoboth LGBT community center. Elkins served as editor of Letters from CAMP Rehoboth for many years as well as executive director of the center before his death in March of 2018.
Hatting is the eighth recipient of the Elkins fellowship, which is funded by community donations at the Blade Foundation’s annual fundraiser in Rehoboth Beach. This year’s event is slated for May 16 at the Blue Moon featuring remarks from state Sen. Russ Huxtable, who recently introduced a state constitutional amendment to codify the right of same-sex couples to marry. The event is generously sponsored by Realtor Justin Noble, The Avenue Inn & Spa, and Blue Moon.
“We had an overwhelming number of applicants for this year’s fellowship and Abigail stood out and impressed us with her experience and commitment to excellence,” said Blade editor Kevin Naff. “Thank you to our Rehoboth-area donors and sponsors for making this opportunity possible.”
For more information on the fellowship program or to donate, visit bladefoundation.org.
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