Local
Shooting suspect hit with new indictment for ‘terrorism’
Corkins accused in attack at Family Research Council HQ
A gunman shot a security guard inside the Family Research Council’s headquarters building in August. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
A federal grand jury on Wednesday issued a new indictment against Floyd Lee Corkins II, the Herndon, Va., man charged in August with shooting a security guard in the lobby of the Family Research Council’s headquarters in Washington.
The indictment charges Corkins with several new offenses, including a D.C. charge of committing an act of terrorism, marking the first time anyone has been charged under the District of Columbia Anti-Terrorism Act of 2002, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.
Known as a “superseding indictment,” the new action incorporates the three previously filed charges against Corkins and adds seven D.C. offenses, the U.S. Attorney’s office says in a statement.
The new charges include one count each of committing an act of terrorism while armed, attempted murder while armed, aggravated assault while armed, second-degree burglary while armed, and three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.
Corkins, 28, who worked briefly as a volunteer at D.C.’s LGBT Community Center last year, has been held in custody since his arrest by D.C. police and FBI agents on Aug. 15.
A government arrest affidavit says Corkins entered the Family Research Council’s office at 801 G St., N.W., about 10:45 a.m. on Aug. 15 of this year and exchanged words with an unarmed security guard. The affidavit says Corkins pulled out a handgun from his backpack, pointed it at the guard and fired a shot, hitting the guard in the arm.
The guard, who has been hailed by D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray as a hero, wrestled the gun away from Corkins and subdued him despite having been shot. The affidavit and law enforcement officials said Corkins told the guard seconds before firing his gun that he disagreed with the positions of the Family Research Council, which is widely known as a conservative, religious oriented organization that opposes LGBT rights and is a strong opponent of same-sex marriage.
LGBT organizations immediately issued statements condemning Corkins’ action and expressing solidarity and wishes for a speedy recovery for the security guard.
Corkins was scheduled to appear on Friday, Oct. 26, for a status hearing at U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The hearing was scheduled before the new charges were filed.
In its statement announcing the new indictment, the U.S. Attorney’s office says D.C. anti-terrorism law defines an act of terrorism as “an act or actions committed with the intent to ‘intimidate or coerce a significant portion of the civilian population of the District of Columbia or the United States.” The charge carries a possible sentence of 30 years in prison, the statement says.
In August, Corkins pleaded not guilty to the earlier charges against him, which include the federal charge of interstate transportation of a firearm and ammunition and the D.C. charges of assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.
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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