District of Columbia
Howard Univ. National Black HIV/AIDS Day forum tackles LGBTQ issues
White House officials join experts in discussion on ‘policy & care’
The director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy and the White House Senior Advisor on LGBTQ+ Engagement joined two Howard University deans and three professors specializing in public health in a panel discussion on Monday in connection with National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.
The Feb. 7 event, called “A Dialogue on Wellness, HIV Policy & Care for the Black Community,” was held on the Howard University campus at its Interdisciplinary Research Building. Ravi Perry, professor and chair of the Howard University Department of Political Science, served as moderator of the panel session.
Perry opened the session by giving an overview of Howard University’s decades long involvement in HIV/AIDS research and medical care as well as in public policy studies related to HIV/AIDS.
“As a political scientist, I always argue that the importance of HIV care should not be limited to medical care alone,” he said. “We have to engage in policies that will ultimately lead to the changes we want to see. And that is why we are here today, to talk about those things together.”
The first two participants to speak were Harold Phillips, the current director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy, and Reggie Greer, who holds the dual title of director of Priority Placement and Senior Advisor on LGBTQ+ Engagement at the White House.
The other panelists included Dr. Celia Maxwell, Associate Dean for Research at the Howard University College of Medicine; Dr. Goulda Downer, Associate Professor and Director of Howard’s National HIV Integration Project; Dr. Sandra Crewe, Dean of Howard’s School of Social Work; and Dr. Evaristus Nwulia, professor at Howard’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences in the College of Medicine and a practicing psychiatrist with a specialty in HIV-related mental health.
Phillips and Greer said the White House, under the administration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, has been monitoring and focusing its attention on the latest developments in the fight against HIV/AIDS being conducted by federal agencies as well as the communities impacted by HIV/AIDS, including the African-American and LGBTQ communities.
Phillips, who appeared virtually on a large video screen, announced he was unable to attend in person because he had just tested positive for COVID and was still in his social isolation period. He said he was thankful that his vaccinations “were doing what they are supposed to do” and his symptoms were limited to that of a “mild cold.”
He praised Howard University for hosting the panel session and the panelists from Howard, who he noted have been involved in HIV work for many years.
“HIV remains a disproportionate risk to African Americans, and young African-American gay and bisexual men account for more new HIV infections than any other group,” Phillips told the gathering. “And HIV affects African-American heterosexual women more than women of any other race or ethnicity,” he said.
“So, while we have seen an 8 percent decrease in new HIV infections since 2015, that is not true for the Black community,” he said. “That’s why this day is still an important day so that we can work to ensure African Americans are aware of their HIV status, of the care and treatment options that will help them live longer and healthier lives and get to an undetectable viral load.”
Greer, who’s gay and who attended the event in person, said the White House staff has worked hard in the first year of the Biden-Harris administration, “to really make sure that marginalized voices, people from all parts of our communities,” including the LGBTQ and African-American communities and people with HIV, have a voice at the White House.
“This is also Black History Month, so we’re thrilled to be here not only on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day but at the beginning of Black History Month in which the Biden-Harris administration has made Black health and wellness a theme of this Black History Month,” he said.
Greer also noted that among those attending the panel session in person was Hannah Bristol, associate director of the White House Office of Public Engagement.
Among the topics discussed at the event, in response to questions asked by Perry, were the reasons the panelists, including the Howard University professors and doctors, believe African Americans currently make up the highest number of new HIV infections in recent years; the best ways to address HIV/AIDS in the African-American LGBTQ community; and the impact of criminalization of HIV transmission that’s part of the laws of many states in the U.S. on efforts to curtail HIV transmission.
Crewe, the dean of Howard’s School of Social Work, said the “lack of equity” in the U.S. healthcare system in past years has played a role in African Americans being disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS.
Phillips appeared to sum up some of the concerns raised by the moderator Perry when he pointed out that only 8 percent of African Americans, according to studies, have been accessing the HIV prevention medication known as PrEP.
“So, we still have a lot of work to do in our community,” he said. “And I’m glad we are having this dialogue here and that Howard University continues to be at the forefront in trying to ensure that these messages get out to our community.”
A recording of the National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day panel discussion can be accessed on Facebook.
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.
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.
District of Columbia
Whitman-Walker Health to present ‘Pro Bono Excellence’ award to law firm
Health center set to celebrate 40th anniversary of legal services program
Whitman-Walker Health, the D.C.-based community healthcare center that specializes in HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ-related health services, announced it will present its annual Dale Edwin Sanders Award for Pro Bono Excellence to the international law firm McDermott Will & Schulte at a May 6 ceremony.
“This year’s award is especially significant as it coincides with the 40th anniversary of Whitman-Walker Health’s Legal Services Program, marking it as the nation’s longest running medical-legal partnership,” a statement released by Whitman-Walker says.
“As a national leader in public health, Whitman-Walker celebrates our partnership with McDermott to strengthen the health center and to enable Whitman-Walker to reach more medical and legal clients,” the statement adds.
“McDermott’s firm-wide commitment to Whitman-Walker’s medical-legal partnership demonstrates a shared vision to serve those most in need,” Amy Nelson, Whitman-Walker’s director of Legal Services, says in the statement. “Our work protects individuals and families who face discrimination and hostility as they navigate increasingly complex administrative systems,” Nelson said.
“Pro bono legal services – like that of McDermott Will & Schulte – find solutions for people who have no place else to turn in the face of financial and health threats,” she added.
“Our partnership with Whitman-Walker Health is a treasured commitment to serving our neighbors and communities,” Steven Schnelle, one of the law firm’s partners said in the statement. “We are deeply moved by Whitman-Walker’s unwavering dedication to inclusion, respect, and equitable access to health care and social services,” he said.
The statement notes that the award for Pro Bono Excellence honors the legacy of the late gay attorney Dale Edwin Sanders. It says Sanders’s pro bono legal work for Whitman-Walker clients “shaped HIV/AIDS law for more than four decades by securing key victories on behalf of individuals whose employment and patient rights were violated.”
It says the Whitman-Walker Legal Services program began during the early years of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s at a time when people with AIDS faced widespread discrimination and often needed legal assistance. According to the statement, the program evolved over the years and expanded to advocate for transgender people and immigrants.
Whitman-Walker spokesperson Lisa Amore said the presentation of the Dale Edwin Sanders Pro Bono Excellency Award will be held at the May 6 fundraising benefit for Whitman-Walker’s Legal Services Program. She said the event will take place at the offices of the DC law firm Baker McKenzie and ticket availability can be accessed here: https://www.whitman-walker.org/gtem-2026/
LGBTQ Catholic groups slam Trump over pope criticism
Grindr to host first-ever White House Correspondents’ Dinner party
Charlie Kirk Act advances in Tenn.
Belarusian president signs bill to allow LGBTQ rights crackdown
‘The Pitt’ stars discuss what season two gets right about queer representation
Trump budget targets ‘gender extremism’
Viktor Orbán ousted in Hungarian elections
How to navigate shifting tenant expectations
Court orders Pride flag to return to Stonewall
