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Police Log: October 28

The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s Gay & Lesbian Liaison Unit was involved in the following investigations

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Gay News, Washington Blade, Crime

The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s Gay & Lesbian Liaison Unit was involved in the following investigations:

On Oct. 24 at 21st & P streets, N.W., two suspects reported that they are involved in a domestic partnership and that they were involved in a physical altercation. An investigation revealed that both suspects had assaulted each other. Both suspects were arrested.

On Oct. 24 in the 2200 block of 13th Street, N.W., a woman reported that she got into a verbal altercation with her roommate over the way he addressed her. Police services were refused and a report was taken.

On Oct. 24 in the 1700 block of 16th Street, S.E., a woman reported that her two roommates accused her of stealing their property. The suspects confronted the woman at the listed location and punched her in the face. An assault report was taken.

On Oct. 23 at 11th & Kenyon streets, N.W., a man reported that while walking with friends he became involved in a verbal altercation with one of his friends at which time the verbal argument became violent and the suspect struck the victim about the head and face. The suspect fled the location prior to the arrival of police and the victim was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.

On Oct. 23 in the 2300 block of T Street, N.W., a man reported to police that he and a suspect were in a verbal altercation. Both started pushing each other when the suspect struck the man in the face with a closed fist. The suspect fled the scene in an unknown direction and the victim was taken to a local hospital for medical treatment. The two are involved in a romantic relationship.

On Oct. 23 in the 2500 block of Naylor Road, S.E., a man and his boyfriend got into a verbal altercation over the use of their car. The suspect shoved the victim and punched him in the face. There were no visible injuries and the victim refused medical treatment. The case was closed with the arrest of the suspect.

On Oct. 22 in the 1900 block of Naylor Road, S.E., a woman reported that she was in a verbal altercation with three suspects when the suspects began assaulting her. Four other suspects joined in and punched and kicked her. The victim broke free and ran home. The suspects then fled the scene. An assault report was taken.

On Oct. 16 in the 1600 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, S.E., a woman reported that a suspect approached her while in the company of a group of people at a nightclub. She stated that the suspect became upset for an unknown reason and hit her in the back of the head with a closed fist. The victim then walked away and later returned to talk with the suspect. The verbal dispute escalated and the suspect struck the victim multiple times in the face and body with a closed fist. The suspect then fled the scene. A report was taken.

On Oct. 17 in the 4400 block of C Street, S.E., a man reported that his former boyfriend, who had been served with a Civil Protection Order, violated the order by coming to his home and knocking on his door. The man also stated that the suspect returned twice more on Oct. 17 attempting to contact him. A report was taken.

On Oct. 18 at 1600 New York Avenue, N.E., a taxicab driver reported that his passenger threw a sum of money at him below the cost of the fare and opened the rear door of the vehicle. The suspect began to run attempting to avoid the full amount of the fare. The driver flagged down an MPD officer and the suspect was arrested moments later.

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District of Columbia

Gay D.C. police lieutenant arrested on child porn charges

Matthew Mahl once served as head of LGBT Liaison Unit

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Matthew Mahl (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

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.  

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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

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Montgomery County Council member Evan Glass, center, speaks to attendees of a meet and greet event at Poolesville Memorial United Methodist Church. (Photo by Meredith Rizzo for the Baltimore Banner)

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.

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District of Columbia

D.C. bar, LGBTQ+ Community Center to mark Lesbian Visibility Week

‘Ahead of the Curve’ documentary screening, ‘Queeroke’ among events

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As You Are is among the D.C. venues that will host Lesbian Visibility Week events. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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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