Local
Gay man files complaint against Washington Teachers Union
Alleges bias based on orientation, age, gender
Gay Maryland resident Barry Hobson earlier this year filed a complaint with the D.C. Office of Human Rights charging the D.C.-based Washington Teachers Union with violating the city’s Human Rights Act by firing him based on his sexual orientation, gender and age.
Hobson released a copy of his complaint to the Washington Blade on Monday.
His complaint says he was subjected to what he believes was unfair and discriminatory treatment and harassment by the union’s chief of staff shortly after he was hired as a receptionist/office assistant on Jan. 15, 2017.
“I began to experience harassment by respondent’s chief of staff (Ms. Egbufor) approximately ten days after submitting my new-hire paperwork, which clearly indicated I am in a same-sex relationship,” he states in the complaint. “Ms. Egbufor abruptly ended a phone call when I told her the male listed on my paperwork is my finance,” the complaint says.
It says Egbufor falsely accused him of failing to do his job and of repeatedly showing up late for work among other alleged infractions that Hobson said were completely fabricated by Egbufor, whom at least two fellow employees told him dislikes gay people, the complaint says.
It also says Washington Teachers Union President Elizabeth Davis persuaded the union’s board to fire him on April 3 on grounds of “attendance and punctuality” while allowing a female employee with a newborn child to start work later to avoid being late for work so she could drop off her child at a daycare center. This constitutes sex discrimination, Hobson says in his complaint.
His complaint says he learned that an older employee said to be 62 years old was allowed to keep his job after allegedly making personal purchases with the union’s corporate credit card. When Hobson asked why this employee was allowed to keep his job while Hobson was about to be fired, Davis explained that the older employee “needs more guidance than [you] youngsters,” Hobson’s complaint says, prompting Hobson to accuse the union of discriminating against him because of his age.
Larry Rubin, the Washington Teachers Union’s communications director, told the Blade on Tuesday he and union officials consider Hobson’s complaint baseless, “ridiculous” and “laughable.”
He referred the Blade to the union’s attorney, Lee W. Jackson, for further information on why the union feels the complaint has no merit. Jackson couldn’t immediately be reached.
An Oct. 10 notice that Office of Human Rights Director Monica Palacio sent to the union, which Hobson released to the Blade, says the union was required to submit to the OHR its official response to Hobson’s complaint by Oct. 30. The notice also says Hobson and a union official were required to attend a mandatory mediation session on Nov. 2 to determine whether a settlement agreement could be reached.
Hobson said the mediation failed and OHR has begun a formal investigation into the complaint. Under OHR procedures the investigation, which could take several months to complete, would determine whether probable cause exists that discrimination occurred. If that finding is reached, another mediation session would be held to determine whether a settled could be reached. The case would go to a public evidentiary hearing similar to a trial if a settlement could not be reached.
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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