Local
Thousands celebrate Baltimore Pride
Politicians, activists join parade
Baltimore Pride’s 40th anniversary festivities returned to the gayborhood. (Washington Blade photo by Antwan J. Thompson)
Any concerns about the shift of dates for Baltimore Pride from its customary June event to the weekend of July 25-26 were put to rest as thousands descended on Mount Vernon on a sun-baked Saturday to cheer on the Pride parade and celebrate at the block party.
Baltimore Pride’s 40th anniversary festivities returned to the gayborhood following an unpopular move in 2014 to the Mount Royal area. Pride is run by the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Baltimore and Central Maryland (GLCCB).
The new dates deep into July and a revised location for the annual parade as well as a new venue for the block party did not deter visitors from all over Maryland, D.C. and beyond to partake in the celebrations.
For many in Baltimore’s LGBT community, it was a bittersweet event as it marked the last time Club Hippo would take part as it is scheduled to close its doors later in the year after more than four decades.
“This is my last Pride as owner of the Hippo,” Chuck Bowers, who was selected to serve as the grand marshal at this year’s parade, told the Blade. “But it’s not my last Pride.”
The parade included a record 82 units and proceeded up Cathedral Street from Monument Street. It ended on Chase Street several blocks north.
A contingent from BlackOutPrideBmore, including transgender activists led the parade under the banner #BaltimoreTRANSUPrising. They highlighted racism within the LGBT community and called attention to the dangers facing many trans Baltimoreans. Marchers also carried signs proclaiming Black Lives Matter.
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Interim Police Commissioner Kevin Davis marched as did Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby. Other political figures included Reps. Donna Edwards and Chris Van Hollen who are seeking to succeed the retiring Sen. Barbara Mikulski.
Local advocacy and health organizations participated, such as FreeState Legal, Chase Brexton Health Services and Johns Hopkins Medicine. Bars past and present were represented including the Hippo, the Lodge from Boonsboro, Md., and a sizable contingent standing on a flatbed from the Baltimore Eagle, which has been closed since 2012 but which supporters are hoping to reopen.
The block party following the parade became so crowded it spilled onto surrounding streets. Newly elected president of the GLCCB board of directors, Jabari Lyles, spoke from the main stage and emphasized the role of people of color in the movement.
“We’re not free unless all of us are free,” he cautioned.
Headliners Cazwell, Ts Madison and Martha Wash and other performers entertained on the stage throughout the evening.
The Sunday event, more laid back than the frenetic block party, took place in Druid Hill Park. Many performers appeared on the main atage and the Lady Lisa Memorial Drag Stage. Popular gay country singer Steve Grand was Sunday’s headliner.
Paul Liller, deputy director of the GLCCB and the person who oversaw Pride, was pleased with the weekend’s festivities.
“We at the GLCCB are very excited about how Pride 2015 went,” Liller told the Blade. “We feel it was a great way to honor 40 years of LGBT activism and civil rights.”
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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