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Comings & Goings
Robinson named to Lambda board; Maggiano to Washington Chorus
The ‘Comings & Goings’ column chronicles important life changes of Blade readers.
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].
Bishop Gene Robinson has been elected to the board of directors of Lambda Legal. Robinson became the first openly gay bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire in 2003, a major step forward for the LGBT community. Robinson is a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress in D.C.
Lambda Legal is the nation’s first legal organization dedicated to achieving full equality for LGBT people.
Retired Bishop V. Gene Robinson (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Congratulations also go to Chase Maggiano, who was named the new executive director of The Washington Chorus (TWC). He will begin work with TWC in July. He is currently executive director of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C.
At the Washington Chorus, Maggiano will succeed Dianne Peterson who is retiring from at the end of the 2015-2016 season after serving as the Chorus’ executive director for more than 30 years. She is the longest-serving chief administrator of a major American chorus. Speaking on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Chorus, Board Chair Chris Denby said, “TWC is thrilled to welcome Chase to the Executive Director role. Although he has very big shoes to fill, Chase will bring tremendous leadership skills, energy, and passion to the organization. The entire Board joins me in welcoming him warmly to The Washington Chorus family.”
“I am honored to be joining The Washington Chorus family and energized to return to my classical roots,” Maggiano said. “TWC’s reputation for presenting challenging and new repertoire is a prized asset within the bountiful choral scene in Washington. I hope to honor and build on the legacy of my friend and mentor, Dianne, whose 30 years of dedication have brought TWC to national and international acclaim. As we celebrate Julian Wachner’s final season with TWC, we are well poised to find the next great maestro/a for Washington.”
Maggiano will be missed at the GMCW where he expanded the inclusivity of the mission and programming, created the first LGBTQ and allied youth chorus in Washington, and forged relationships with local and international presenters, including an historic concert tour of Cuba. Prior to joining GMCW, he served in arts education and fundraising roles at the Washington Performing Arts. Growing up locally as a classically trained violinist, Maggiano has combined his lifelong dedication to music and entrepreneurial spirit to ensure that more art happens in Washington. He remains an avid violinist and shares his perspective on the business of art at chasingtheart.com.
Chase Maggiano (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Joseph DeSanto Jones, M.Ed., has been named director of strategic initiatives at NASPA-Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. NASPA’s mission is to be the principal source of leadership, scholarship, professional development, and advocacy for student affairs. As director, he will work with executive management and volunteer leaders to pursue and achieve tactical objectives of the NASPA strategic plan.
Jones has previously served NASPA as director of member engagement and community programs, where he directed various educational programs, and supported NASPA Regions, Knowledge Communities, and volunteer leaders. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park where he earned his bachelor’s in communication studies and a master’s in college student personnel.
Joseph DeSanto Jones (Photo courtesy Jones)
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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