Local
D.C. Council holds hearing on hate crimes
D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier among those who testified
D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier (Washington Blade photo by Strother Gaines)
D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier was among those who testified during a D.C. Council hearing on hate crimes and the Metropolitan Police Department’s response to them on Friday.
“As you know, my philosophy is that every member of the department is responsible for stopping crimes and fully addressing all members of the community in any matters relating to hate crimes,” she said. “With this in mind, I continue to emphasize… training and an understanding of the issues relating to hate crimes in the communities in the District that are most frequently affected by them.”
The Judiciary Committee hearing took place less than three days after Ali Jackson, Alvonica Jackson and Desmond Campbell allegedly stabbed a 16-year-old boy in what police have described as an anti-gay hate crime.
MPD statistics indicate that there were 43 reported bias-related crimes based on sexual orientation in 2011, compared to 35 in 2010. D.C. police reported that there were 11 bias-motivated crimes based on gender identity and expression in Washington in 2011, compared to 10 in 2010. MPD statistics further report that the number of reported anti-gay attacks in D.C. between January and May increased 60 percent over the same period last year.
“Washington remains the city with the highest rate of anti-LGBT violence in the nation, and the problem is only becoming worse,” noted Gays and Lesbians Opposing Violence Chair A.J. Singletary during his testimony.
While activists have generally welcomed what they describe as the MPD’s improved outreach to LGBT Washingtonians and other marginalized groups over the last year, they maintain that victims of anti-LGBT bias attacks remain afraid to come forward. GLOV Vice Chair Hassan Naveed and others have previously stressed to the Blade that high profile incidents of police misconduct, such as the officers who refused to take a report of an anti-gay attack against five lesbians outside the Columbia Heights Metro station last July, can dissuade victims from going to the authorities.
Lanier stressed during her testimony that detectives who investigate crimes against people receive specialized training on LGBT-specific issues. She said that “issues relating to hate crimes or serving communities targeted by them” have been incorporated into scenario-based roll call trainings.
“In addition to all of ongoing internal initiatives to ensure high quality interactions with victims in the communities affected by hate crimes, we are constantly engaged with the community to foster open communication,” added Lanier.
D.C. LGBT Community Center board member Holly Goldmann stressed that MPD needs to include local organizations in developing a training program for its Special Liaison Unit and Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit officers. The Anti-Defamation League, the group that D.C. police has tapped to help bolster the department’s response to hate crimes, announced that it had invited the Human Rights Campaign, the National Center for Transgender Equality, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights and two university professors to join the Hate Crimes Assessment Task Force.
Council members Jim Graham (D-Ward 1) and Phil Mendelson (D-At Large,) who chairs the Judiciary Committee, both expressed concern that D.C. groups are not represented on the panel. “[These are] great organizations involved, but that can be so much better enhanced by local groups who are really right there and extremely dedicated,” said Graham.
Council members David Catania (I-At Large) also attended the hearing. Jason Terry of the D.C. Trans Coalition and Rick Rosendall, vice president of political affairs of the Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance, were among those who also testified.
Alvin Bethea read a letter on behalf of the mother of Deoni Jones, a trans woman who was stabbed to death at a Northeast bus stop in February. “This crime was no drug deal gone bad, no feud between rival street gangs, no attempted robber turned victim, no love triangle, no unpaid gambling debt, not even a petty dispute,” read Bethea as he became increasingly emotional. “No nothing but pure hatred.”
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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