Local
Pastor: Sandy struck NYC after Bloomberg gave $250,000 to Md. marriage campaign
Minister noted mayor contributed $250,000 to Marylanders for Marriage Equality
Pastor Luke Robinson of Quinn Chapel AME Church in Frederick, Md. (Photo from Quinn Chapel AME Church)
FREDERICK, Md.—A local minister on Sunday noted Superstorm Sandy hit New York City after Mayor Michael Bloomberg donated $250,000 to the campaign defending the state’s same-sex marriage law.
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“While he was here, he got word that he needed to go back to New York because a storm was going to hit New York and he needed to go back and make preparations,” said Pastor Luke Robinson of Quinn Chapel AME Church in Frederick during an anti-Question 6 rally at Baker Park. Bloomberg appeared at a pro-Question 6 press conference with Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley and Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake in the Charm City on Oct. 26. “On Oct. 28, a storm hit New York. And one of the things that we have discussed and learned from New York is that New York is a proud city. They never close.”
Robinson said during the event Peter Sprigg of the Family Research Council, state Del. Neil Parrott (R-Washington County) and a few dozen others attended that the Bible “very clearly” states “before a fall pride cometh.” Maryland Marriage Alliance Chair Derek McCoy was also scheduled to speak at the event, but he did not attend.
“So here was the mayor of New York giving a quarter of a million dollars, coming down to Maryland discussing the matter,” said Robinson. “While he’s here somebody whispers in the ear, you better go back home and protect your stock because God is sending judgment. The thing came through the area. You have to understand the season and the time. It’s almost the end of hurricane season, but God sent one of the biggest hurricanes ever.”
Bloomberg on Oct. 12 announced he had donated $250,000 to Marylanders for Marriage Equality. The Johns Hopkins University alum has also given $500,000 to same-sex marriage efforts in Maine, Minnesota and Washington.
Robinson acknowledged the storm that killed more than 40 people in the five boroughs and dozens of others in the United States also impacted Maryland.
“The storm came through here, but for the glory of God the storm didn’t tear us up because we got that hope for us,” he said. “There are people who are praying for us. There are people who believe in God, we [are] going to turn it around.”
Robinson further pointed out God is “holding back until we can have the final verdict” on Election Day.
“In the meantime in New York City and New York State and even in New Jersey and even up in the New England area, what happened?” he asked rhetorically. “God sent a storm that tore the place up — up in Massachusetts and all up in that lot because they have rejected the truth and the knowledge of God. So with all of… your money you still can’t win if God says he’s on our side and we are on the side that can win. And we must win and we must never — you must go back, you must go back. You must tell your neighbors. You must tell your friends. Brother Peter [Sprigg] has shared with us the consequences of this thing. It will destroy this country as we know it and we’ve got to work.”
Neither Robinson, his church, Parrott or the Maryland Marriage Alliance immediately returned the Washington Blade’s requests for comment.
Marylanders for Marriage Equality and an O’Malley spokesperson declined to respond to Robinson’s comments.
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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