Local
Former Blade employee victim of anti-gay attack
Aram Vartian (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
A former Washington Blade videographer was punched in the face and knocked to the ground outside his apartment near the Washington Convention Center on Nov. 10 by a male attacker who shouted anti-gay slurs.
Aram Vartian, 34, who currently works for Metro Weekly, said the attack came minutes after he walked a male friend to his car and the two men bid farewell by hugging each other near 10th and M streets, N.W., about 9:30 p.m.
“I gave him a hug. It was a bit of a lingering hug,” Vartian said. “He got into his car, I waved to him and turned to walk back home. I took about 10 or 15 steps and this guy ran up behind me and punched me in the face — in the right cheek and nose area.”
According to Vartian, the unidentified male attacker, who was black and appeared in his late teens or early 20s, stood over him and screamed at him with his fists clinched and a scarf pulled over his face. Minutes earlier, Vartian said he saw the attacker standing with about 10 other young men a short distance from where Vartian stood with his male friend, gay singer and songwriter Tom Goss.
“It was faggot this and faggot that and not in this neighborhood,” Vartian quoted the attacker as saying. It was a diatribe. He was screaming in a rage.”
Two of the other youths who had been with the attacker rushed over to where Vartian was assaulted and grabbed the attacker and pulled him away from him, Vartian said.
“They said, ‘We’re sorry, sir. He’s drunk. Please don’t call the police,’” Vartian said the other two told him.
But Vartian did call police, who responded within minutes to take a report of the incident, which they classified as an anti-gay biased related simple assault. Vartian said that within a few minutes of their arrival police drove him to a nearby location where other officers had detained two youths observed fleeing from the scene.
The officers asked him to look at the two in a makeshift lineup while he sat in the police car, but he said he could not positively identify either as the person who assaulted him.
Capt. Edward Delgado, who oversees the police’s Gay & Lesbian Liaison Unit, said police are seeking witnesses to determine if others could identify the person who assaulted Vartian. A GLLU officer also arrived on the scene, said Vartian. He praised the officers for being attentive and helpful.
Vartian said he declined a police offer to call paramedics to examine him. He said he suffered a bruised face but doesn’t consider his injury as serious.
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.
Gay D.C. police lieutenant arrested on child porn charges
Demonstrators disrupt OMB director hearing over PEPFAR
HIV/AIDS group NMAC is ‘destabilized’ and in financial crisis: sources
Madonna announces release date for new album
Senegalese court issues first conviction under new anti-LGBTQ law
An effort to increase the number of psychiatrists of color
Trump budget targets ‘gender extremism’
Comings & Goings
Minimal version of ‘Streetcar Named Desire’ heading to Dupont Underground
