Local
Comings & Goings
News from mayoral appointee, new schools official and Penn alumnus
The ‘Comings & Goings’ column chronicles important life changes of Blade readers.
This column highlights the accomplishments of D.C.-area LGBT professionals. To share your good news with the community, email us at [email protected].
Brian T. Carney
Brian T. Carney shared exciting news with us. Carney, a Blade freelance writer, was recently elected to a two-year term on the Steering Committee for PennGALA (the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Alumni Association of the University of Pennsylvania). PennGALA connects and represents LGBT Penn alumni and supports the needs of students.
Carney graduated cum laude in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in economics from The Wharton School, with a concentration in management and a bachelor’s in urban studies from the College of Arts and Sciences. He is a produced playwright and published author and holds an MFA in theatre from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Carney has held senior leadership positions at a number of Washington non-profits, including the Washington Project for the Arts, the Advocacy Institute, the World Resources Institute and, most recently, AIDS United. He serves as a judge for the Mentor Capital Network Annual Business Plan Collaboration. He and his husband Brian K. Long, a senior internal auditor for the State Department Federal Credit Union, live in Wheaton, Md., with their cats.
David Franco
David Franco has been nominated to the D.C. Zoning Commission by Mayor Bowser. Franco is a native Washingtonian and successful LGBT businessman and developer. Recently Jack Evans, Ward 2 Council member, asked Council Chair Phil Mendelson to hold a confirmation hearing for Franco. Mendelson has so far declined to do so, citing concerns with Franco’s work as a developer. But Mendelson has previously voted for developers to serve on the commission, raising questions about whether he is holding up the nomination for other reasons, including a dispute with the mayor. Franco is more than qualified to serve and Mendelson should schedule a hearing as soon as possible on his nomination.
Travis Wright
Travis Wright was recently appointed deputy chief of early childhood education by Chancellor Kaya Henderson at D.C. Public Schools. Travis graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with a bachelor’s in College Scholars- Summa Cum Laude in 1998. I met him in 1999 where he worked for a year as a teacher at the Gage-Eckington Elementary School. We had long conversations about how difficult it was for a first-year teacher in a class with many special education students and no support from the administration. Travis committed himself to making things better here in D.C. for all children. He attended Harvard and earned his master’s of education emphasizing human development and psychology and went on to earn his doctorate of education there in June 2006. His dissertation was titled, “Making It vs. Satisfaction: Well-Being and the Lives of Women Raising Young Children in Poverty.”
Travis took a leave from his position at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he is assistant professor of Early Childhood Education. DCPS, our children and their parents, are lucky to have Travis Wright back in D.C.
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.
Gay D.C. police lieutenant arrested on child porn charges
Demonstrators disrupt OMB director hearing over PEPFAR
HIV/AIDS group NMAC is ‘destabilized’ and in financial crisis: sources
Madonna announces release date for new album
Senegalese court issues first conviction under new anti-LGBTQ law
An effort to increase the number of psychiatrists of color
Comings & Goings
Trump budget targets ‘gender extremism’
Minimal version of ‘Streetcar Named Desire’ heading to Dupont Underground
