Local
O’Malley: Pass a marriage bill this year
Md. governor addresses Creating Change in Baltimore
BALTIMORE — Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley called on state lawmakers to pass a bill legalizing same-sex marriage and another measure barring discrimination based on gender identity during a speech Sunday at the Creating Change conference sponsored by the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force.
“Maryland can be the seventh state to pass a civil marriage equality law,” O’Malley said. “We need to get it done this year.”
In a short speech that included references to Baltimore’s role in the creation of the United States, O’Malley repeatedly cited the need to protect religious liberties and called for a civilized debate on the contentious issue of marriage.
“Laws matter but words also matter,” he said, “… we must choose words of compassion.”
He also spoke about the bill to ban anti-transgender discrimination.
“Discrimination [based] on gender identity is wrong,” O’Malley said to loud applause. “Passing a law to protect transgender people … is the right thing to do.”
Fellow Democrat Thomas “Mike” Miller, the Maryland Senate president, does not support the bill. According to Gender Rights Maryland, Miller said he only has time “for one gay bill this session.”
“We do not have Senate President Miller’s support,” Gender Rights Maryland said in a statement. “That has been the case for five years, and remains the overwhelming roadblock.”
O’Malley’s remarks came during the closing brunch of the 24th annual Creating Change conference, which drew about 3,000 attendees to Baltimore. His wife, first lady Katie O’Malley, spoke Thursday and caused a minor stir when she referred to opponents of the bill in last year’s session as “cowards.” She later issued a statement that she regretted those comments. Gov. O’Malley did not directly mention the incident in his remarks Sunday, though he did make a veiled reference to his wife.
He said that sometimes people “respond with words of hurt rather than words of healing” and added that “we must also have the humility and strength to apologize and seek forgiveness.”
O’Malley was introduced by Task Force deputy executive director Darlene Nipper, who described the O’Malleys as “very good friends to our community.” O’Malley was warmly received by the packed crowd and received a standing ovation at the end of his remarks.
Lyndsay Smith, 28, a Towson University graduate student and longtime Maryland resident, said it was important to hear directly from the governor.
“I don’t think he said anything that’s not been said before,” she said. “But there’s power in his being here and having his support.”
The Maryland Senate is scheduled to take up the marriage bill this week. A committee hearing is set for Tuesday in Annapolis.
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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