Local
Baltimore Pride transcending generations
Van Hollen, Mary Washington to serve as grand marshals
Del. Mary Washington will serve as one of Baltimore Pride’s grand marshals.
(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
As has been the case the past few Baltimore Pride celebrations, a safe space for LGBTQ youth ages 14 to 20 has been set aside during the block party. Youth Pride will be operational on Saturday, June 17 from 4-8:30 p.m. in its very own Youth Pride Zone within the Pride block party footprint.
Youth Pride, says Mimi Demissew, Pride co-chair, the alcohol-free area will be sectioned off with its own stage, performers and vendors.
In addition, this year will mark the first time in which Baltimore’s LGBT older adults will meet, share memories and make new connections at Elder Pride for those who attend the festival at Druid Hill Park on June 18.
In partnership with the GLBT Community Center of Baltimore and Central Maryland (GLCCB), the inaugural Elder Pride tent will be hosted by the LGBT Health Resource Center of Chase Brexton Health Care from 12-6 p.m. Participants will have the opportunity to identify and locate themselves along a historical LGBT timeline, and add their initials along the timeline for the year that they came out.
Elders will also be able to take a photograph honoring the number of years that they have been out, for inclusion in a photo collection. Community resources and advocacy will be available, and participants may sign up for the CareAct, which empowers elders in medical environments.
“So much of the equality that younger queer people enjoy has come from the head work, heart work, and hard work of our LGBT elders,” said Nate Sweeney, executive director of the LGBT Health Resource Center. “That is not to say that we do not still have much work to do, and new battles to fight, but it has to be done with the acknowledgment of hearts and minds that our elders have impacted.”
To help improve access to the festival, Action in Maturity’s Elder Express will shuttle individuals from Chase Brexton’s Mt. Vernon Center at 1111 N. Charles Street to Druid Hill Park and back.
For more information about Elder Pride, contact the LGBT Health Resource Center at [email protected]; 410-837-2050 ext. 1049.
In other Pride news, the 2017 parade grand marshals have been announced. U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen and Baltimore Del. Mary Washington will serve in that capacity.
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
