Local
Anti-LGBTQ Va. group criticized over anti-Roem ad
Voters urged to reject trans delegate’s ‘extreme social agenda’
An anti-LGBTQ group has been criticized over a transphobic ad against Virginia state Del. Danica Roem (D-Manassas).
The Family Foundation Action on Oct. 25 posted to its Facebook page an ad with Roem’s picture that said she “sponsored a bill to force all insurance companies to pay for harmful and unnecessary ‘gender transition’ surgeries.”
“Reject Roem’s extreme social agenda on Nov. 5,” says the ad.
Roem, a former journalist who represents the 13th District in the Virginia House of Delegates, in 2018 became the first openly transgender person seated in any state legislature in the U.S. Roem is running against Republican Kelly McGinn, who has been criticized over her anti-LGBTQ positions and statements.
McGinn is not mentioned in the Family Foundation Action ad.
“The ad is paid for by Family Foundation Action, an anti-LGBTQ organization in Virginia with strong ties to McGinn, who spoke at one of their press conferences as recently as January,” said the LGBTQ Victory Fund on Thursday in a press release.
Roem on Friday pointed out to the Blade she has faced criticism over her gender identity throughout her campaign.
She provided a screenshot of a tweet the Prince William County Republican Committee sent on Oct. 23 after a debate between her and McGinn that said, “Danica closes the debate claiming to be a mom.”
“Is there a new definition for that term as well?” reads the tweet.
A Republican Party of Virginia ad with a picture that describes Roem as “extremely liberal” notes she “is chief co-patron of a bill that would force insurance companies to pay for optional sex change surgeries.”
“In effect, the bill provides a subsidy for sex change operation (sic) to be paid by all Virginians,” proclaims the ad. “When Virginian families health insurance premiums are already at record highs, we cannot afford to pay for unnecessary liberal lifestyle choices.”
Roem also provided the Blade with a copy of a press release from the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan., about a March protest outside the Virginia General Assembly that mentioned her by name. Roem used the event to raise tens of thousands of dollars for her re-election campaign
“Throughout my two years in office, I’ve voted for Medicaid expansion, raising teacher pay and passing the largest transportation funding bill in six years — core constituent-service issues that directly affect the quality of life for the people I represent,” Roem told the Blade on Friday in a statement.
“And what do the groups that want to unseat me resort to?” she added. “Transphobia.”
Roem said “the transphobic attack on me this week from the Family Foundation Action is part of a pattern of behavior from groups backing Kelly McGinn, who’s called marriage equality ‘morally repugnant,’ called same-sex couples wanting to adopt a “social experiment on our children” and took $4,000 from the self-described “chief homophobe” of Virginia — my predecessor, former Del. Bob Marshall.”
“The Family Foundation is just following the same transphobic attack launched by the Republican Party of Virginia on the same issue, in which they repeatedly erred in their hit that came out after the 2018 General Assembly session concluded,” she added.
‘I’m here to serve everyone’
Roem spoke with the Blade five days before Election Day, which could determine whether Democrats regain control of the General Assembly and the future of LGBTQ bills that have stalled in the Republican-controlled legislature.
State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria), who is openly gay, told the Blade earlier this week that Roem’s race is among the handful of contests that could indicate whether Virginia is trending blue. Human rights Campaign President Alphonso David on Sunday is scheduled to canvass in Manassas Park with Roem and U.S. Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-Va.).
“I know LGBTQ families in each of the four communities I represent — Haymarket, Gainesville, Manassas and Manassas Park — all of whom are my constituents and all of whom I serve because of who they are, not despite it,” Roem told the Blade.
Roem, among other things, also noted she voted for Medicaid expansion in Virginia, which she said has benefitted 3,800 of her constituents. Roem also noted she is the chief co-patron of state Del. Debra Rodman (D-Henrico County)’s bill that would require health insurance providers to cover transition-related health care for trans policyholders.
“I’m the only person in this race who the people of the 13th District can trust to expand access to quality, affordable health care — no matter what they look like, where they come from, how they worship if they do or who they love,” said Roem.
“I welcome all families to the 13th District because of who they are, not despite it,” she added. “I’m here to serve everyone.”
The Blade has reached out to Family Foundation Action for comment.
District of Columbia
Judge rescinds stay-away order in Capital Pride anti-stalking case
Evidence hearing to determine if order should be reinstated against Darren Pasha
A D.C. Superior Court judge on April 17 rescinded an anti-stalking order he approved in February at the request of Capital Pride Alliance against local LGBTQ activist Darren Pasha.
In a ruling at a court status hearing, Judge Robert D. Okun agreed with defendant Darren Pasha’s stated concern that the initial order was too broad and did not specify who specifically he must stay at least 100 feet away from, as called for in the order.
Okun ruled on April 17 that the initial order, which he noted was oral rather than written, would be suspended until an evidentiary hearing takes place in which Capital Pride will need to present evidence justifying the need for such an order.
“I’m fine with scheduling a hearing at which the plaintiff can present evidence, and the defendant can present evidence,” Okun said. “But I’m not fine with just continuing this oral TRO [Temporary Restraining Order] that Mr. Pasha really doesn’t even have notice of. That seems unfair,” he said.
After asking both Pasha and Capital Pride Alliance Attorney Nick Harrison when they would be available for the evidence hearing, Okun set the date for April 29 at 11 a.m. in Superior Court.
The case began when Capital Pride Alliance, the D.C.-based LGBTQ group that organizes the city’s annual Pride events, filed a Civil Complaint on Oct. 27, 2025, against Pasha, accusing him of engaging in a year-long effort to harass, intimidate, and stalk Capital Pride’s staff, board members, and volunteers.
The complaint was accompanied by a separate motion seeking a restraining order, preliminary injunction, and anti-stalking order prohibiting Pasha from “any further contact, harassment, intimidation, or interference with the Plaintiff, its staff, board members, volunteers, and affiliates.”
In his initial ruling in February, Okun issued an order requiring Pasha to stay at least 100 feet away from Capital Pride staff, board members, and volunteers until the April 17 status hearing. He reduced the stay-away distance from the 200 yards requested by Capital Pride.
Pasha, who has so far represented himself in court without an attorney, has argued in multiple court filings and motions that the Capital Pride stalking allegations are untrue. In his initial 16-page response to the complaint, Pasha said it appears to be a form of retaliation against him for a dispute he has had with Capital Pride and its former board president, Ashley Smith, who has since resigned from the board.
“It is evident that the document is replete with false, misleading, and unsubstantiated assertions,” Pasha’s court response states.
At the April 17 hearing, Okun also ruled that, as standard procedure for civil complaints such as this one, he has ordered both parties to enter into court-supervised mediation to attempt to reach a settlement rather than go to trial.
In an earlier ruling Okun denied Pasha’s request for a jury trial, stating that civil cases such as this must undergo a trial with the judge determining the verdict under existing civil court statutes.
The April 17 court hearing was held in a courtroom at the courthouse, but as allowed under current court rules, Capital Pride attorney Harrison and Capital Pride official June Crenshaw participated virtually through a video connection. Pasha attended the hearing in the courtroom.
“This matter is proceeding through the court in the normal course,” Capital Pride released in a statement. “We look forward to presenting the relevant evidence at the scheduled hearing. Capital Pride Alliance remains committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for our staff, volunteers, and community, and to addressing concerns through appropriate channels.”
“This is clearly a case of retaliation,” Pasha told the Blade after the hearing. “Today the judge removed the stay-away order and asked Capital Pride Alliance to present enough evidence and examples to see if a stay-away order should be granted,” he said. “Because Pride is coming up in June, we need to see where this is going.”
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.
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