Local
Chase Brexton to host town hall on trans health
Topics include medical services, insurance issues
Chase Brexton Health Services, 1111 N. Charles St. in Baltimore. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
Chase Brexton Health Care will hold a town hall on Nov. 17 at 6:30 p.m. to provide the latest information on transgender health care, including details regarding policy, coverage and open enrollment. The event, which will bring together Chase Brexton providers, members of the organization’s LGBT Health Resource Center, and representatives from FreeState Legal Project, will take place in the sixth floor employee lounge of the Chase Brexton Mt. Vernon Center, 1111 N. Charles St. in Baltimore.
Attendees will learn about new developments in trans health coverage and medical services. But the town hall will also provide organizers with an important opportunity to hear from members of the community attempting to access care.
“Law, policy and insurance coverage are changing rapidly and access to transition-related care is increasing,” said Beth Brolund, a staff therapist and case manager at Chase Brexton. “We’ve been working to help trans individuals navigate a complicated system and the problems that we know about. We need to hear from the community to get a better picture of what experiences people are having, what the needs are and how we can be of the most help.”
Among those joining the town hall will be Dr. Rachel Bluebond-Langner, an assistant professor of plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, who will discuss her transgender surgery services’ recent experiences with health insurance issues.
“Trans individuals often feel lost when trying to complete their transition safely in the medical world,” explained Chase Brexton provider Jill Crank, CRNP. “We would like to provide a forum to discuss what Chase Brexton offers in terms of primary and trans-related care, as well as highlight the promising changes (and challenges) in working with insurance companies to cover these services.”
Crank added, “Our ultimate goal is to become the place of choice for trans individuals seeking any type of healthcare, and we want them to know they are not alone in the fight for trans health equality.”
Though there have been advancements in LGBT legal rights, many obstacles still remain, particularly in securing access to health care.
“With open enrollment season upon us for plans in the Maryland Health Connection and many other private health insurance plans, it couldn’t be more timely to share information about what plans cover transition-related care and what obstacles still remain,” said Jer Welter, deputy director and managing attorney at FreeState Legal.
The town hall is the first in a series of meetings planned to discuss many aspects of trans health and address community needs.
“In the rapidly changing landscape of transgender health care and coverage, we all still believe that this is an issue of social justice,” Nate Sweeney, executive director of the LGBT Health Resource Center, pointed out. “Transgender individuals should not have to jump through extra hoops to get their health care needs met. This team of the FreeState Legal Project, Chase Brexton, and the LGBT Health Resource Center are glad to be working on this project together to try and address this injustice.”
Corey Lacey contributed to this report.
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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Comings & Goings
Minimal version of ‘Streetcar Named Desire’ heading to Dupont Underground
