Local
Ebbin touts benefits of Amazon’s HQ2 for Crystal City
New corporate home within gay lawmaker’s district
HQ2’s Crystal City location is within gay Virginia State Sen. Adam Ebbin’s (D-Arlington-Alexandria) district. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)
The new second headquarters for e-commerce giant Amazon that will be moving to the Crystal City section of Arlington, Va. is within the district of gay Virginia State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Arlington-Alexandria).
Ebbin said that while he wasn’t directly involved with the negotiating team working with Amazon organized by Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) and Arlington and Alexandria officials, he is fully supportive of Amazon’s plan to move into his district.
Although the development could create some temporary problems such as traffic congestion and an uptick in the price of homes, Ebbin said he believes the overall impact will be highly beneficial to the region and its residents, including LGBT people who are known to work for Amazon in large numbers at its current headquarters in Seattle.
Ebbin said he has no direct knowledge that Amazon considered Northern Virginia’s record of support for LGBT rights as a factor in the pro-LGBT company’s decision to select Crystal City, but he said he is pleased that Amazon and its CEO, Jeffrey Bezos, are strong supporters of LGBT equality.
He noted that Amazon also has a large and robust LGBT employee group.
“It’s pretty clear that Virginia is on a rapid path to LGBT supportive legislation,” Ebbin said. “We have favorable policies from the governor and favorable laws in Arlington and Alexandria,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to welcoming all of these employees,” he said, noting that the expected total of 25,000 Amazon employees working in the Crystal City headquarters will arrive over a period of years rather than all at once.
Amazon ended more than a year of speculation and intense competition among cities competing for its new headquarters when it announced on Nov. 13 that it would divide its “HQ2” between Northern Virginia and the Long Island City section of New York City. The announcement said the company would bring 25,000 new jobs to each site.
Arlington and Alexandria officials joined Amazon in renaming the area where the company will be located as National Landing. Although most of the “National Landing” will be in the Crystal City area, some of it will be located in nearby Pentagon City and Potomac Yards, which includes part of Alexandria.
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.
Science said stop; the Supreme Court said no
Gay D.C. police lieutenant arrested on child porn charges
Demonstrators disrupt OMB director hearing over PEPFAR
HIV/AIDS group NMAC is ‘destabilized’ and in financial crisis: sources
Madonna announces release date for new album
Trump budget targets ‘gender extremism’
An effort to increase the number of psychiatrists of color
Comings & Goings
Minimal version of ‘Streetcar Named Desire’ heading to Dupont Underground
