Local
D.C. election board rejects marriage referendum
For the third time in less than a year, the D.C. Board of Elections & Ethics has ruled that a ballot measure seeking to ban same-sex marriage cannot be held because it would violate the city’s Human Rights Act.
The board’s ruling Thursday came eight days after opponents and supporters of a gay marriage referendum presented their views on the issue before an expedited public hearing called by the board.
“Based upon the written and oral opinions submitted to the board regarding the propriety of a referendum, as well as its own research and consideration of the matter, the board now concludes that the referendum does not present a proper subject for a referendum because it would authorize discrimination prohibited under the Human Rights Act,” says the ruling.
On two prior occasions, the board and Superior Court judges reached the same conclusion: that a referendum as well as a voter initiative seeking to ban same-sex marriage would violate the city’s human rights law and could not be held.
Similar to the two prior cases, Bishop Harry Jackson, pastor of a Beltsville, Md., church and the lead opponent of same-sex marriage in the District, along with several of his supporters, have vowed to appeal the board’s ruling to the Superior Court.
In an action that could disappoint LGBT activists, the board additionally ruled that the proposed referendum would not violate a separate D.C. election law restriction by interfering with the appropriation of funds or the city budget.
An attorney representing the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club joined the City Council’s attorney in arguing that a ban on same-sex marriage would result in a reduction of as much $1 million in tax revenue generated each year by same-sex weddings. The two attorneys cited a study conducted by the city’s chief financial officer showing that same-sex weddings would be expected to generate significant revenue for D.C. businesses as well as tax revenue for the city.
“[N]otwithstanding the arguments that the [same-sex marriage law] will result in increased revenue for the District, such prospective fiscal impact is insufficient to transform the [law] into an act appropriating funds for the general operation budget,” the board says in its ruling.
It says that various court cases cited by the two attorneys to support the budget argument do not apply in the case of the marriage referendum proposed by Jackson and his backers.
The board’s rejection of the budget argument against a referendum could result in problems for same-sex marriage equality advocates if an appeals court were to side with Jackson and reject the Human Rights Act restriction. Some LGBT activists had hoped the budget argument could be used as a backup plan in the event the human rights law argument runs into trouble at the appeals court level.
The referendum proposal rejected Thursday by the election board calls for overturning the Religious Freedom & Civil Marriage Equality Act of 2009, which the D.C. City Council passed and Mayor Adrian Fenty signed in December. The act would allow same-sex marriages to be performed in the District. It also would authorize churches and religious institutions to refuse to perform such marriages or allow their facilities to be used for such marriages if same-sex unions are contrary to their religious doctrine.
Under the city’s election law, various logistical requirements for a referendum, including the gathering of petition signatures for ballot placement, must be completed before Congress concludes its review of a city law. The congressional review for the marriage bill is expected to be completed March 2, making it unlikely that Jackson and his backers could gather the required petition signatures in time, even if the Superior Court were to rule in their favor.
Last year, Jackson asked the court to extend the deadline for gathering the pettion signature if the court would have ruled to allow a ballot measure to be held. The court rejected that request at the time it rule against the referendum itself.
“I am pleased that the Board of Elections & Ethics has again upheld the Human Rights Act and said that under that a ballot measure to restrict the rights of a minority is not appropriate or allowable under D.C. law,” said Peter Rosenstein, a D.C. gay activist.
Jackson and others calling for the referendum couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.
District of Columbia
Gay D.C. police lieutenant arrested on child porn charges
Matthew Mahl once served as head of LGBT Liaison Unit
D.C. police announced on April 14 that they have placed one of their lieutenants, Matthew Mahl, on administrative leave and revoked his police powers after receiving information that he was arrested in Maryland one day earlier.
Although the initial D.C. police announcement doesn’t disclose the reason for the arrest it refers to a statement by the Harford County, Md. Sheriff’s Office that discloses Mahl has been charged with sexual solicitation of a minor and child porn solicitation.
“On Tuesday, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office contacted MPD’s Internal Affairs Division shortly after arresting Lieutenant Matthew Mahl,” the D.C. police statement says.
“The allegations in this case are extremely disturbing, and in direct contrast to the values of the Metropolitan Police Department,” the statement continues. “MPD’s Internal Affairs Division will investigate violations of MPD policy once the criminal investigation concludes,” it says.
“MPD is not involved in the criminal investigation and was not aware of the investigation until yesterday,” the statement adds.
Mahl served as acting supervisor of the MPD’s then Gay & Lesbian Liaison Unit in 2013 when he held the rank of sergeant. D.C. police officials placed him on administrative leave and suspended his police powers that same year while investigating an undisclosed allegation.
A source familiar with the investigation said Mahl was cleared of any wrongdoing a short time later and resumed his police duties. Around the time he was promoted to lieutenant several years later Mahl took on the role as chairman of the D.C. Police Union, becoming the first known openly gay officer to hold that position.
NBC 4 reports that Mahl, 47, has served on the police force for 23 years and most recently was assigned to the department’s Special Operations Division.
Records related to Mahl’s arrest filed in Harford County District Court, show Sheriff’s Department investigators state in charging documents that he allegedly committed the offenses of Sexual Solicitation of a Minor and Child Porn Solicitation on Monday, April 13, one day before he was arrested on April 14.
The court records show he was held without bond during his first appearance in court on April 14. A decision on whether he would be released while awaiting trial or continue to be held without bond was scheduled to be determined during an April 15 bond hearing. The outcome of that hearing could not be immediately determined.
Maryland
Evan Glass is leaning on his record. Is that enough for Montgomery County’s top job?
Gay county executive candidate pushing for equitable pay, safer streets, and cleaner environment
By TALIA RICHMAN | During a meet-and-greet at Poolesville Memorial United Methodist Church, Evan Glass got his loudest applause of the night with a plan he acknowledged was decidedly unsexy.
“Day one, I’ll hire a director of permitting services,” the county executive candidate said.
Doing so, he added, is a step toward easing the regulatory burdens that can stifle small businesses in Montgomery County.
The only problem? At least one of his fiercest competitors is making a similar pledge.
The rest of this article can be read on the Baltimore Banner’s website.
District of Columbia
D.C. bar, LGBTQ+ Community Center to mark Lesbian Visibility Week
‘Ahead of the Curve’ documentary screening, ‘Queeroke’ among events
2026 Lesbian Visibility Week North America will take place from April 20-26.
This year marks the third annual Lesbian Visibility Week, run by the Curve Foundation. A host of events take place from April 20-26.
This year’s theme is Health and Wellness. For the Curve Foundation, the term “lesbian” serves as an umbrella term for a host of identities, including lesbians, bisexual and transgender women, and anyone else connected to the lesbian community.
The week kicks off with a flag-raising ceremony on April 19. It will take place in New York, but will be livestreamed for the public.
“Queeroke” is one of the events being held around the country. It will take place at various participating bars on April 23.
As You Are, an LGBTQ bar in Capitol Hill, is one of eight locations across the U.S. participating. Their event is free and 21+.
On April 24, the D.C. LGBTQ+ Community Center will hold a screening of “Ahead of the Curve,” a documentary about the founder of Curve, Franco Stevens. The event is free with an RSVP.
April 25, is Queer Women in Sports Day. And on April 26, several monuments in New York will be illuminated.
Virtual events ranging from health to sports will be made available to the public. Details will be released closer to the start of Lesbian Visibility Week. Featured events can be found on the official website.
Some ways for individuals to get involved are to use #LVW26 and tag the official Lesbian Visibility Week account on social media posts. People are encouraged to display their lesbian flags, and businesses can hand out pins and decorate. They can also reach out to local lawmakers to encourage them to issue an official Lesbian Visibility Week.
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