West Hollywood’s sports community will come together this Saturday to show support for one of Team USA’s openly gay Olympic hopefuls. Pride House Los Angeles/West Hollywood and the Out Athlete Fund are hosting An Evening with Conor McDermott-Mostowy on Saturday, November 1, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Nike Training Studio, 8714 Santa Monica Boulevard, followed by an after-party at GYM Bar.
Conor McDermott-Mostowy, a U.S. Speed skating National Team member, is training for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and his momentum couldn’t be hotter. He just won silver and bronze medals at the U.S. Championships, setting a personal record of 1:44.69 in the 1500-meter and finishing fifth in the 500-meter. His performance solidified his spot on Team USA for the upcoming Speed Skating World Cups and put him one step closer to representing the U.S. and the LGBTQ+ community on the Olympic stage.
At Saturday’s event, McDermott-Mostowy will share what it means to train at that level, compete openly, and navigate a sport that hasn’t always made space for queer visibility. He’ll be joined by a strong lineup of LGBTQ+ sports advocates, including Olympian Randy Gardner, former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jeff Rohrer, national champion coach Kirk Walker, and West Hollywood Councilmember John Erickson.
About Pride House LA
The evening is presented by Pride House Los Angeles/West Hollywood, led by CEO Michael Ferrera, whose work has helped shape the city’s growing network of inclusive sports and wellness spaces.
Pride House LA is part of a global movement that began with the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, when the first Pride House opened to create a welcoming space for LGBTQ+ athletes and fans. Its local mission is to provide a safe and welcoming place to experience and celebrate the Olympics and Paralympics during the summer of 2028, while giving V.O.I.C.E. in sports at all levels of participation. The acronym Visibility, Opportunity, Inclusion, Community, and Equality guides everything Pride House LA/West Hollywood does, from athlete outreach to community programming.
Why It Matters
Even world-class athletes struggle to cover the costs of training, travel, and equipment. For LGBTQ+ Olympians, those challenges are often compounded by limited sponsorship opportunities. Pride House LA/West Hollywood CEO, Michael Ferrera told us, “No young, hardworking athlete like Conor should be held back by identity or finances. Too many face these barriers. And it’s more daunting for Out Athletes.” The Out Athlete Fund, a nonprofit and co-host of the event, helps bridge that gap, ensuring that out athletes like McDermott-Mostowy can focus on competing not just surviving. Ferrera adds, “By supporting Conor, donors are helping him compete — and sharing in the pride of his success. How fun will it be to watch him in the Olympics and know you had a stake in getting him there!”
Saturday’s fundraiser is part pep rally, part hometown show of support. It’s also another reminder that West Hollywood continues to stand at the intersection of sports, pride, and community.
Event Details
What: An Evening with Conor McDermott-Mostowy
When: Saturday, November 1 | 5–7 p.m.
Where: Nike Training Studio, 8714 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood
After-Party: GYM Bar, 8919 Santa Monica Blvd. (starts at 8 p.m.)
Tickets/Donations: Buy tickets or donate here
Are there ANY straight male figure skaters?
He is cute
Good grief.