Local
Baltimore to welcome Out & Equal
On Monday, the Maryland Corporate Council will host an event in partnership with the summit
On Monday, the Maryland Corporate Council will host an event in partnership with the Out & Equal summit in Baltimore. (Photo courtesy Out & Equal)
Baltimore will host the annual Out & Equal Workplace Advocates Summit next week. The event will take place Oct. 29-Nov. 1 at the Baltimore Convention Center. Out & Equal is committed to creating safe and equitable workplace environments for LGBT employees. The 2012 summit is sponsored by 118 corporations, non-profit organizations and government agencies.
At the summit, individuals, human resources professionals, diversity managers, employee resource group leaders and allies will have a platform from which to make connections, share best practices, and formulate a strategy that allows for a demonstration of their commitment to equality in the workplace.
There will be daylong leadership seminars on Monday prior to the primary conference. Spaces are still available for those seminars, and onsite registration will begin on Monday at 7 a.m.
Also on Monday, the Maryland Corporate Council (MCC) will host an event in partnership with the summit, which will provide an opportunity to network with LGBTA business and community leaders. It will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Pratt Street lobby of the Convention Center. This is free to MCC members and guests. To register, visit marylandcorporate.org.
A three-day registration package includes: entrance to the Welcome Reception; six workshop sessions, with approximately 20 workshop options per session; two plenaries, with meals (one breakfast, one lunch); access to the Night Out Networking events; and one ticket to the Gala Awards Plenary Reception and Dinner. There are flexible registration options for guests who wish to attend only a day of the conference, rather than attend the full program.
Stanley Ellicott, a spokesperson for the Summit, told the Blade, “We are excited to welcome a diverse group of celebrities, journalists and activists who will deliver keynote speeches.” They include: Selisse Berry, Out & Equal founding executive director; Benjamin Jealous, president and CEO of the NAACP; Judy Shepard, activist and mother of slain gay student Matthew Shepard; Tammy Smith, Brigadier General, U.S. Army; Beth Brooke, global vice chair of public policy, Ernst & Young; and Vladi Luxuria, former member of Parliament, Italy.
For more information about the Summit, call 415-694-6500 or visit outandequal.org/summit-2012.
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
