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Comings & Goings
Renna joins Task Force; couple opens market in Rehoboth
The Comings & Goings column is about sharing the professional successes of our community. We want to recognize those landing new jobs, new clients for their businesses, joining boards of organizations and other achievements. Please share your successes with us at: [email protected].
Congratulations to Cathy Renna on her appointment as Interim Communications Director with the National LGBTQ Task Force. Rea Carey, executive director said, “We are thrilled to welcome Renna as our Interim Communications Director. She has been a part of the Task Force family for a long time, working on projects and has been a fixture at Creating Change. I’ve appreciated her as a trusted partner and colleague for almost 30 years and her leadership and experience will be of tremendous value at such a critical and uncertain time for our community and the world, as we navigate the challenges faced by the LGBTQ movement and beyond.”
Upon accepting the appointment Renna said, “My relationship with the Task Force goes back to my early days as an activist and frequent consultant on projects, particularly Creating Change. At such a precarious and challenging time, I look forward to helping amplify the Task Force’s important work, from imminent Supreme Court decisions affecting LGBTQ people to the historic ‘Queer the Census’ campaign and ‘Queer the Vote’ in the upcoming November elections.”
Renna is the principal of Target Cue, an LGBTQ-focused communications firm. Prior to that she worked at GLAAD. Renna has executed her particular expertise in crisis and strategic communications, playing a central role in shaping many major issues affecting the LGBTQ community, from the beating death of Matthew Shepard in 1998 to the fight for marriage equality and the repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.”. She recently worked with the team that coordinated historic coverage for WorldPride/Stonewall 50, working with NYC Pride.
Congratulations also to David Lyons and Rick Hardy on their new business, Coho’s Market and Grill in Rehoboth Beach, Del. It is never easy to open a business but in this incredibly difficult time they are to be congratulated for opening to serve the community. Coho’s is open Thursday to Monday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for take-out orders with curbside delivery at 305 Rehoboth Avenue.
Lyons and Hardy have been partners for more than 27 years. Lyons said, “Rick and I have always enjoyed entertaining and life here in Rehoboth. We have had a home here since the mid-90’s and like so many others were ‘weekend warriors’ coming to Rehoboth to enjoy the surf, sand, great restaurants and a small town community lifestyle.
“Starting Coho’s is an opportunity for a second career and to become year-round members of the community we love so much. The outpouring of support and interest in our endeavor have been amazing and when it is safe for people to be out we hope everyone will come to our in-town market for grocery staples and specialty foods or the grab ‘n go section we will have.”
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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