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Comings & Goings
Iraq vet lands new post; Movahedi teaching law in Spain
From left, Allison Jaslow, Babek Movahedi and Anthony Shop.
The Comings and Goings column is about sharing the professional successes of our community. We want to recognize those landing new jobs, new clients for their business, joining boards of organizations and other achievements. Please share your successes with us at [email protected].
Congratulations are in order to Allison Jaslow, who has just been named director of Political and Intergovernmental Affairs for the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization representing post-9/11 veterans and their families. Jaslow has joined the team to support IAVA’s growing D.C.-based policy operations. Jaslow is a former Army captain who served two combat deployments in Iraq.
According to IAVA founder and CEO Paul Rieckhoff, “Allison is a proven leader with a wealth of diverse political experience inside and outside the Beltway. Allison’s command of the political spectrum on Capitol Hill and the campaign trail, and first-hand knowledge of veteran’s issues will be a tremendous asset to our growing, dynamic policy team.”
Jaslow’s new job will have her working to support the development of IAVA’s annual policy agenda and advocacy campaigns. She will lead IAVA’s engagement with other Veterans Service Organizations, government agencies and advocacy organizations. Jaslow has a diversity of experience, including stints on political campaigns across the country, in the White House and on both sides of Capitol Hill. She recently served as chief of staff and campaign manager for Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.) and had also served as press secretary for Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.), where she was involved in the veteran leader’s efforts to protect the legacy of the post-9/11 GI Bill.
On her appointment, Jaslow said, “I’m proud to be one of the one percent of Americans who can relate to those who saw combat after 9/11 and even prouder to have the opportunity to join an incredible organization that gives our entire generation of veterans a voice. IAVA’s advocacy has made an indelible impact on the lives of countless veterans and military families, and I’m thrilled to play a part in keeping us in the center of important public debates.”
Jaslow graduated from the University of Central Missouri, where she was a proud member of the Fighting Mules ROTC Battalion. She also serves on the Board of Trustees at Wentworth Military Academy and College.
Congratulations also to Babak Movahedi, a former D.C. and Miami resident now living in Barcelona, Spain. Babak is now a professor of Law and Business at ESERP Business School in Barcelona teaching MBA students. He is also working with Democrats Abroad to enroll as many Americans as possible in the Democratic Party. Democrats Abroad is given state-level recognition by the Democratic National Committee. He is a vice president of Democrats Abroad/Barcelona.
Most in the District know Movahedi from his time here as owner of MOVA on P Street, N.W. He also had two outlets of MOVA in Miami for a number of years. The one in South Beach was the ‘place to be’ for the gay community for many years. During his time in Miami, he was a Special Master/Magistrate for the City of Miami Beach and served as one of three Judicial Officers for the City of Miami Beach.
Another who should be congratulated is Anthony Shop, who is now an adjunct lecturer in the George Washington University School of Business where he received his MBA. Shop is a co-founder of the digital marketing agency Social Driver with his husband Thomas. A former journalist and press secretary, Shop is the first new media professional to be elected to the prestigious National Press Club’s Board of Governors. He founded the Club’s popular “Get It Online” digital media series, which has hosted luminaries from CNN, NASA and the White House to discuss media trends. His views on digital media have been featured by the BBC, CBS and USA Today, and he has been featured as a keynote speaker at conferences across the globe, from Singapore and London to New York and Miami.
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
