Local
HRC gives another $300,000 to Md. same-sex marriage campaign
Group announced an additional $1 million contribution to four statewide same-sex marriage campaigns
HRC President Chad Griffin (Blade photo by Michael Key)
The Human Rights Campaign on Monday announced it has pledged an additional $300,000 to the campaign defending Maryland’s same-sex marriage law.
“It is clear 2012 is the year for marriage equality in the Maryland,” said Chad Griffin, the group’s president. “Our movement is about loving and committed families who deserve nothing less than full equality under the law. HRC is proud of our many volunteers and donors who have raised and donated additional resources to fuel this fight.”
This latest contribution includes $150,000 to Marylanders for Marriage Equality and another $150,000 to the NAACP Maryland Marriage PAC as part of the $1 million the organization gave to the four statewide marriage campaigns. HRC has given $1.53 million in cash and in-kind donations to the pro-Question 6 campaign — and a total of $7.3 million to efforts to defend same-sex marriage laws at the ballot in Maryland, Maine and Washington and defeat a proposed state constitutional amendment in Minnesota that would define marriage as between a man and a woman on Election Day.
“Our adversaries have bragged that marriage equality has never won at the ballot box. This November, we will take that talking point away once and for all,” said Griffin. “In 2012, fair-minded Americans – and particularly residents of Maryland – will support their LGBT friends, family members, and coworkers.”
HRC announced its latest Maryland contribution on the same day Marylanders for Marriage Equality announced Paul Singer, a Republican who has given more than $10 million to same-sex marriage efforts across the country, donated $250,000 to the pro-Question 6 campaign.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who attended Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, donated another $250,000 to Marylanders for Marriage Equality on Friday. Former National Football Player Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and his wife Chan announced a $100,000 contribution to Marylanders for Marriage Equality during an Oct. 2 fundraiser at gay Democratic lobbyist Steve Elmendorf’s Logan Circle home that Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray and others attended.
“Paul Singer demonstrates real leadership yet again on marriage equality,” said Maryland state Sen. Allan Kittleman (R-Howard County,) who supported the same-sex marriage law that O’Malley signed in March. “He realizes, like I do, that Question 6 is about fairness and equality under the law — values we all, no matter party, share here in Maryland.”
Josh Levin, the group’s campaign director, told the Washington Blade in an exclusive interview before Marylanders for Marriage Equality filed the report that he expects to run “a $5 million-plus campaign and hope to meet that goal as we enter the final stretch” before Election Day.
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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