For those of you who know me — hi. For those of you who don’t, my name is Mike Bondulic, and I never thought I would find myself creating a page like this. On Friday, April 25, 2025, my apartment complex caught fire. Thankfully, no lives were lost, but 25 residents — including myself — were left without housing and lost most, if not all, of our belongings.

See my full recollection of the events HERE.

That night, I was on FaceTime with my boyfriend, lying in bed and facing the wall with my back to the window. I heard what sounded like banging — like someone moving furniture — and turned to see a bright orange glow through the window. I jumped out of bed to check, and even with the blinds and curtains drawn, I could feel the heat through the fabric. I told my boyfriend there was a fire, quickly got dressed, grabbed my wallet and keys, and ran out.

By the time I got outside, fire trucks and EMS were already in the parking lot. Smoke was pouring from the back of the building, and I could see flames on the roof. I moved toward the playground area to get a better view, and that’s when I realized the unit that shares a wall with my bedroom was fully engulfed in flames. Windows were shattered, firefighters were working to contain the blaze, and the building’s siding and roof were already blackened and charred.

Eventually, I spoke with maintenance and resident services. They told me I’d need to be fully relocated, along with the other affected residents. The Red Cross was called to help us process this tragedy. Later, once it was deemed safe, I was allowed to return briefly to my apartment to grab essentials. I packed bags quickly — clothes, medications, electronics, toiletries — whatever I could manage in a short time.

Since then, I’ve been staying with friends from the LGBTQ+ community, with support from loved ones near and far. I’m deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and generosity I've received.

While belongings can be replaced, I need some help getting back on my feet until my insurance coverage kicks in. Any funds I don’t end up using will be donated to an LGBTQ+ charity of my choice (to be determined). Queer individuals are under attack in this country, and they need support as much as I do. It was my friends, family, and especially the Washington, DC LGBTQ+ community who wrapped me in care and gave me a place to land.

Any contribution, no matter how small, truly helps. Thank you for reading, and thank you for caring.