Local
Mayoral candidates address AIDS forum
Hopefuls addressed a standing-room-only crowd
Former Mayor Sheila Dixon took part in Tuesday’s AIDS forum. (Washington Blade photo by Steve Charing)
Several candidates vying to replace outgoing Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake appeared Tuesday before a forum sponsored by the Greater Baltimore HIV Health Services Planning Council. The purpose of the annual meeting is to discuss Baltimore’s response to the White House’s national HIV/AIDS strategy.
Former Mayor Sheila Dixon, City Council member Nick Mosby, State Sen. Catherine Pugh, Conor Meek and Calvin Young addressed a standing-room-only crowd of nearly 100 in the community room in Chase Brexton Health Services’ Mount Vernon building.
While most of the candidates used the opportunity to promote their candidacies, they all indicated strong support for eradicating the disease and called for increased awareness, education and health care as principal components of the effort. Three of them—Dixon, Mosby and Young—had close relatives affected by HIV/AIDS, indicating a personal connection to further motivate them to fight the spread of the disease.
Mosby finds the stigma associated with the disease unacceptable in the community. “It’s time to end this,” he said emphatically. “It starts with leadership; it starts at the top.” As mayor, he would treat it as a top priority.
Dixon emphasized that AIDS is not just a gay disease but it also affects heterosexual people and is “intergenerational.” She pledged to “knock on doors to talk about AIDS.”
Prior to the candidates’ portion, Dr. Leana Wen, health commissioner for the Baltimore City Health Department, provided an overview of what the city is undertaking to prevent HIV/AIDS and to care for the 16,000 residents of Baltimore living with AIDS.
“There is a plan to end AIDS by 2030. We can do it,” she said, noting that one in five Baltimore residents have HIV and are not aware of it.
Jeffrey Hitt, a director from the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, pointed out the behavioral aspects of treating HIV. This includes people taking the prescribed medication as directed.
He pledged support from the state whereby a comprehensive coordinated response is needed to include a recommitment to needle exchange strategies, promoting safer sex practices, self-determination and harm reduction.
Hitt promised, “HIV will be rare and when it does occur, people will have unfettered access to care.”
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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