District of Columbia
Rachel Levine promotes vaccine awareness at Whitman-Walker forum
U.S. Assistant Secretary of Health is highest-ranking trans official
Dr. Rachel Levine, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Health and the federal government’s highest-ranking transgender official, called on community leaders to join her in a campaign to promote vaccinations to curtail respiratory illness at a forum organized by the LGBTQ supportive medical center Whitman-Walker Health.
Levine, a pediatrician, was joined by fellow physicians, three Whitman-Walker staffers, and an official with the LGBTQ seniors advocacy group SAGE, in a panel discussion called “Protecting Our Health In the New Year: A Conversation on Flu, COVID-19, and RSV Vaccines.”
Among other things, Levine talked about a vaccination promotion program she is involved with at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services called “Risk Less and Do More.”
“I’m extremely passionate about vaccines and the role they play in preventing respiratory illness and keeping communities healthier,” Levine told the gathering, held at Whitman-Walker’s Max Robinson Center.
“And the success of ‘Risk Less, Do More’ is rooted in partnerships with community leaders across America who have provided reliable information to community members so that they can make the best informed decisions about their health and access one of the best tools that we have to protect our health — vaccinations,” Levine said.
She noted that separate vaccines are now available for three respiratory illnesses that can potentially be life-threatening — flu, COVID-19, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus known as RSV.
“While aiming to limit respiratory virus spread among all Americans, the ‘Risk Less, Do More’ campaign has placed particular focus on high-risk populations who are at the greatest risk for becoming seriously ill,” Levine said.
“This includes people who are not up to date on their vaccines, those who are 65 years and older, residents in long-term care facilities, pregnant people, those living in rural areas where healthcare access is limited, and racial and ethnic populations who are more at risk, including those in the Black and Hispanic community,” she said.
A “notable uptick” in the three respiratory illnesses she mentioned is now occurring across the country and in D.C., Levine added.
The others who joined Levine in the discussion were Aaron Tax, an official with SAGE; Tasliyam Adams, senior manager of Medical Support at Whitman-Walker; Danny Jaek, a pharmacist at Whitman-Walker’s Max Robinson Center; and Dr. Kimberly Jeffries Leonard, vice president of administration for the Black Women’s Agenda.
Also participating in the discussion were Whitman-Walker Health System Chair Dr. Anne Bonham, Whitman-Walker Health System CEO Dr. Heather Aaron, and Dr. Kellan Baker, executive director of Whitman-Walker’s Institute for Health Research and Policy.
At the conclusion of the forum Whitman-Walker officials presented Levine with a poster size, framed proclamation honoring her “For Distinguished Service and Leadership In Advancing Public Health and Health Equity.”
Levine, who will leave her job on Jan. 20 when President-elect Donald Trump takes office, was asked by the Washington Blade if she has any advice for her successor under the new administration.
“I really can’t comment on the new administration,” she said. “But what I can comment on is the importance of vaccinations, which again has been one of the victories of public health in the 20th and 21st centuries. And so, we are very proudly talking about our Risk Less, Do More campaign for this respiratory season.”
Naseema Shafi, Whitman-Walker Health’s CEO, said Whitman-Walker was honored that Levine participated in the vaccine forum.
“She has done so much to advance health in the community,” said Shafi, who added, “She’s been a fearless leader living authentically and we’re really proud of the opportunity to be able to spend time with her today.”
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/
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