Local
LGBT advocates look to future at book salon
Ahonen-Jover publishes new book, ‘The Gay Agenda’
Civil rights activist Juan Ahonen-Jover, Ph.D. (Washington Blade photo by Peter Rosenstein)
Democratic Party and LGBT rights advocates Paul Yandura and Donald Hitchcock hosted a discussion on achieving LGBT legal equality Thursday evening with civil rights activist Juan Ahonen-Jover, Ph.D., author of “The Gay Agenda 2012: All Out.” He talked about his book and why he wrote it and generated a lively discussion on the issues surrounding how the LGBT community moves forward from here.
Yandura and Hitchcock welcomed guests to their home, spoke about activism and introduced the author who spoke about the book and his activism. The book is about where he thinks the LGBT community needs to go in the future if we are to achieve the goals he sets out. He was speaking to a room full of advocates, who, while they may not be running any of our community’s major organizations, do have an extraordinary impact on the community. Among the 30 or so attending were Dana Beyer, Lisa Turner, Dan Choi, Dixon Osburn and Dan Furmansky.
The book is divided into four main areas. First is a discussion on “What is LGBT?” It tries to define what is family, what the Bible says and how we move to have people understand, accept and respect the community. The second section is titled, “What is the Gay Agenda?” In this section, he discusses what we are looking for. Is it special rights or rather a series of what he defines as “equality goals.” He talks about hate crimes, serving in the military, marriage equality, freedom of gender and protecting youth among other goals. The third section addresses “Different Paths.” It is a discussion on use of the courts, legislatures, considering whom to endorse as a candidate, how best to spend the community’s money and his thoughts on building coalitions. The final section is a discussion on what individuals can do called “Your Turn.” Then there are three appendixes listing major names in the LGBT community and in history. One that stands out for not being on these lists is Frank Kameny and I am sure there are many others but then no such list is ever complete. There is an appendix on the Dallas Principles identifying the authors by descriptions of what they were doing at the time and one is particularly humorous.
Democratic Party and LGBT rights advocates Paul Yandura and Donald Hitchcock hosted a discussion on achieving LGBT legal equality. (Washington Blade photo by Peter Rosenstein)
The discussion ranged from why one is supporting President Obama to how to make a decision on whom to support and the criteria one should use. Ahonen-Jover suggested that there are candidates he calls “heartbreakers” who talk about their support for the LGBT community but don’t quite get it and only support partial civil and human rights. He suggests that those individuals shouldn’t receive our financial support. He also suggests that we stop giving money to those who don’t need it to win their races even if they are totally supportive of us but say to them that we need our limited resources to support electing others who share their views. There was some discussion on whether the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund strayed too far from its mission in the effort to boast about a “winning percentage” with regard to the candidates they support. A number of people brought up the issue of whether to take money (they referred to it as dirty money) for marriage equality campaigns from those who support marriage equality but who then also support candidates who are pledged to see that it doesn’t happen.
Many in the room knew each other and are all looking to find some agreement on where to take the fight for LGBT rights. There seemed to be consensus in the room that if President Obama wins reelection there needs to be an all-out push for movement in the fight for civil and human rights for the LGBT community immediately starting with the lame duck Congress and if he loses that there still needs to be a strong push for his immediately signing the executive order barring discrimination in hiring practices by federal contractors.
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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Comings & Goings
Minimal version of ‘Streetcar Named Desire’ heading to Dupont Underground
