Local
D.C. police official denies rumors of GLLU overhaul
Sgt. Mahl out on sick leave
Capt. Edward Delgado told the Blade on Tuesday that no such changes would be made and that he remains in charge of the liaison units. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
A D.C. police official this week described as “totally false” unconfirmed reports that a controversial lieutenant had been named as the new head of the department’s special liaison units, including the Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit, and planned to dismantle the units as distinct entities.
Capt. Edward Delgado, director of the Special Liaison Division, which oversees the GLLU and the Latino, Asian-Pacific Islander, and Deaf and Hard of Hearing Liaison Units, told the Blade on Tuesday that no such changes would be made and that he remains in charge of the liaison units.
“We are looking for an affiliate sergeant to fill in while Sgt. Matt Mahl is on sick leave,” Delgado said.
He was referring to Mahl’s status as supervisor of the GLLU and who temporarily left the unit due to what sources familiar with the GLLU say is a shoulder injury that may require surgery. Delgado said he plans to designate an affiliate GLLU member with the rank of sergeant, possibly from one of the eight police service districts, to serve as acting GLLU supervisor until Mahl returns.
Sources familiar with the department said Lt. Ronald Netter appeared at the GLLU office and reportedly told some GLLU members that he had been placed in charge of each of the liaison units and would be working out of the GLLU office in Dupont Circle. According to the sources, Netter reportedly said plans were underway to merge all of the liaison units into a single “special liaison” entity and all of its officers would respond to calls from each of the four constituency groups – LGBT people, Latinos, Asian-Pacific Islander members and the city’s deaf community.
These unconfirmed reports shocked GLLU members and those familiar with the unit, prompting supporters to say such a change would destroy the effectiveness of the individual units, in part, because members of one unit were not trained to provide police service to the other constituency groups.
Those hearing the unconfirmed reports were further alarmed because of news media reports over the past several years that Lt. Netter had been under investigation by the department and transferred from the Sixth District to the Central Cellblock in what was viewed as a demotion after he lost his service pistol on three separate occasions.
Delgado told the Blade that Netter was assisting him “on various things” but that he was not in charge of the GLLU or any of the other special liaison units.
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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