Local
Comings & Goings
A board position, new scholarship and career change
The ‘Comings & Goings’ column will chronicle important life changes of Blade readers.
Welcome to the first Comings & Goings column, where we will share the professional achievements and milestones of our LGBT readers with the community. Have you started a new job or business? Landed a new client? Looking to hire a new employee or add a member to your board? We are interested in all of that and more.
Send your tips and story ideas to us at [email protected]. Please let us know what you or your friends are doing and when exciting things happen in your career and in your life.
Paul Hazen
It has been an exciting month for Paul Hazen, executive director of the U.S. Overseas Cooperative Development Council. First he was elected to the board of the National Cooperative Bank. Then on Sept. 29 he spoke at the United Nations at the Sustainable Development Summit. His remarks focused on the need for legal and regulatory reform and increased financing for the solidarity economy, including cooperatives. The event was chaired by French President Francois Hollande and leaders from Ecuador, Morocco, Costa Rica, Senegal and a variety of U.N. agencies described the impact of cooperatives around the world.
Many in our community understand how hard it was to come out and be true to themselves during their college years. One respected D.C. resident has found a great way to help future generations accomplish their goals. It was announced by Ohio State University that, “Kevin Keller, CEO of the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., has endowed the Kevin R. Keller Scholarship Fund for LGBTQ students from rural Ohio. It is the first scholarship of its kind in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at Ohio State.” In making the donation, Keller said, “I was fortunate to have numerous opportunities and the support of my family and others within The Ohio State University community throughout my academic career. This is my way of expressing my appreciation to the University and giving back to our LBGTQ students is my passion and area of interest.”
Kevin Keller
Brett Zongker has had a busy and impressive career as a journalist. He was with the Associated Press for more than 11 years. At the AP, Brett reported mainly on art, culture and education and his work has been published by The New York Times, MSNBC and USA Today. He has now joined George Washington University as senior associate director of media relations. According to Candace Smith, assistant vice president of media relations at GWU, “Zongker will be a spokesperson for the university and will also work on media relations and strategy and other related projects.” In addition to his new position, Zongker will continue to teach classes at American University, where he has served as an adjunct professor since 2012.
Brett Zongker
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.
LGBTQ Catholic groups slam Trump over pope criticism
Grindr to host first-ever White House Correspondents’ Dinner party
Charlie Kirk Act advances in Tenn.
Belarusian president signs bill to allow LGBTQ rights crackdown
‘The Pitt’ stars discuss what season two gets right about queer representation
Trump budget targets ‘gender extremism’
Viktor Orbán ousted in Hungarian elections
How to navigate shifting tenant expectations
Court orders Pride flag to return to Stonewall
