Local
D.C. Fire & EMS issues trans ‘general order’
Honoring ‘all types of diversity’
‘I think as an agency we have a responsibility … in trying to make sure we honor all types of diversity here within the agency,” said Fire and EMS Chief Gregory M. Dean. (Photo courtesy Twitter)
The D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department on June 1 issued a five-page General Order on Gender Identity and Expression that updates the department’s policy for dealing with transgender patients and employees.
Among other things, the order says Fire and EMS Department members are required to treat transgender patients and citizens with respect and without bias, including the way they address them by name.
“The Department shall ensure that all employees respect and use a transgender individual’s preferred names and pronouns, as repeated failure to do so can be considered harassment under the District of Columbia Human Rights Act and a violation of Department policy,” the order states.
“The gender identity expressed or presented by the individual shall be accepted and honored,” the order says, adding, “Transgender individuals shall not be subject to a more invasive medical exam or procedure than any non-transgender individual solely on the basis of their transgender identity.”
It says that if a transgender person’s legal name or birth gender is needed for legal or medical reasons, it must be kept confidential.
“The members shall provide to the relevant hospital staff information that is medically necessary regarding the transgender individual, so they may treat the person respectfully, while maintaining confidentiality of the information from non-relevant hospital staff,” the order says.
Concerning transgender employees at the Fire and EMS Department, the order says the department, when requested, “shall make reasonable accommodation, including medical leave, for transgender related and other health needs,” including but not limited to medical or counseling appointments, surgery, recovery from surgery, “and any other related procedures.”
Fire and EMS Chief Gregory M. Dean and the department’s Diversity Program Manager Kim McDaniel told the Blade last week that although the release of the general order at the start of LGBT Pride Month was a coincidence the department would be reaching out to the LGBT community this weekend.
Dean noted that department employees and officials, along with a fire truck, will be participating in the Capital Pride Parade on June 10. He said along the parade route paramedics would offer on-the-spot CPR chest compression training to parade bystanders as well as participants.
“I think as an agency we have a responsibility – and since Kim joined us we have been very diligent – in trying to make sure we honor all types of diversity here within the agency,” Dean said.
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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Gay D.C. police lieutenant arrested on child porn charges
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Comings & Goings
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