Local
Brian Petro dies at 46
20-year retrospective of his work held at the Paper Gallery in Philadelphia
Brian Petro
Brian Petro, a long-time D.C.-based artist, died Dec. 2 due to liver and kidney failure related to alcoholism, according to his friend, Mark Guenther. He was 46.
Petro was a native of central Pennsylvania and was born Oct. 1, 1970. He worked in sports medicine for six years before pursuing art full-time, which he did for the last 20-plus years creating multi-media works using ink, paint, old newspapers and more. He credited his style as inspired by the dichotomy of having grown up in a supportive yet rural area and the independence required for urban life, according to a bio he used professionally. He cited global travel and urban exploration as inspirations for his artistic aesthetic.
His work was shown in galleries in New York, Hawaii, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Washington, Rehoboth Beach, Del., and more. His clients included Absolut Vodka, which commissioned an ad used in Dupont Circle; the Ritz Carlton Hotels; Saks Fifth Avenue; IBM, which commissioned a 20-foot mural; the Library of Congress and others.
Petro was gay and had been in a long-term relationship with Ricardo Zapata that ended around 2011, though they remained friends. He is survived by long-time friends David Keuler, Mark Guenther and others. Petro moved to Washington in 2000. He lived in New York from 2008-2011 after which he returned to Washington.
A 20-year retrospective of his work was held at the Paper Gallery in Philadelphia, the first professional gallery to exhibit his work.
“Brian set the example of what it means to be a good human,” Guenther said. “He loved unconditionally and accepted people for who they were, no matter what. For me, he defined what it means to be a friend simply by being the example. He was one of the most creative, kind and generous people that I have ever met and I consider it one of the greatest gifts of my life to have had the privilege to call him my best friend.”
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 7 at 4:30 p.m. at First Congregational United Church of Christ (945 G St., N.W.). After the service, Petro’s art will be for sale at a reception. Festive attire as one would wear to an art opening is requested.
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
