Local
Shevlin, Suwanlert have union blessed
Ceremony at the Wat Thai Buddhist temple
Peerapol Jack Suwanlert and George Felix Shevlin, IV had their marriage blessed last month.
George Felix Shevlin, IV and Peerapol Jack Suwanlert of Washington and Rehoboth Beach, Del., respectively had their marriage blessed on April 17 at the Wat Thai Buddhist temple in Silver Spring, Md.
Phramaha Ruangrit Thaithae led eight other monks in a traditional Northeastern (Isaan) Thailand Bai Sri Su Kwan ceremony, which was attended by their mothers, friends and family. Shevlin and Suwanlert were legally married on Aug. 11, 2011, by the Honorable Emmet G. Sullivan, a United States District Judge for the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Sullivan had presided over Suwanlert’s naturalization ceremony in the United States Capitol Building in 2010.
Their son, Patrick Kul Shevlin, born June 20, 2015, was also blessed by Phramaha Thaithae at the ceremony.
Shevlin is the son of Linda Owens Shevlin of Glen Falls, N.Y., and the late George Felix Shevlin, III. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and received his Juris Doctor from the University of Baltimore and a degree from the London School of Economics. He is a member of the Maryland and United States Supreme Court bars. He worked for the United States House of Representatives for 20 years. His last position was the executive director of the House Democratic Caucus under Chairman John B. Larson. He is currently the political affairs officer for the Investment Company Institute, the trade association for the mutual fund industry.
Suwanlert was born in Muang City in the Province of Nakhon Ratchasima, in Thailand, where he spent most of his youth. He is the second son of Mongkol Suwanlert from Lampang in northern Thailand and Siriporn Rattanakul, from Nakhon Prathom (central part of Thailand).
He received a bachelor’s degree in public administration (police science) at the Royal Thai Police Cadet Academy in Sampran, Nakorn-Prathom, Thailand, where he worked as an interrogation inspector in Bangkok for the Royal Thai Police Force. He received a master’s degree in political science from the National Institute of Development Administration in Bangkok.
He moved to Washington in 2000 to work at the Marriott International Headquarters in Bethesda, Md., where he is director of global intelligence and support. Suwanlert is a member of the Private Security Analyst Group under Overseas Security Advisory Council, conference committee chair of the Public Sector Intelligence Council and the D.C. Intelligence Analyst Working Group. He completed his second master’s degree in Intelligence Studies at the American Military University in 2013.
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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