Local
Janice Moncier dies at 68
Award-winning activist, longtime D.C. resident
Janice L. ‘Jan’ Moncier
Janice L. “Jan” Moncier, a certified financial planner and longtime resident and neighborhood activist on Capitol Hill, died July 16 at the Washington Home and Community Hospices following a lengthy battle with breast cancer. She was 68.
According to information released by her partner of 33 years, Ann Norwood, the couple lived in D.C. since 1988, when they bought a Capitol Hill townhouse near Stanton Park that became their home.
“Jan’s interest in historic preservation led to a basement full of hardware, skylights, and door frames that she used to authentically restore elements of their 100-year-old Victorian row house,” according to a write-up prepared by Norwood.
“A dedicated neighborhood activist, Jan participated in neighborhood cleanups and ‘orange hat’ crime watches and advocated for years for the recent repaving of the alley behind their home,” the write-up says.
It says Moncier was born and raised in Tennessee on a small tobacco and dairy farm. She became an active member of the 4-H Club during her childhood years, pursuing many civic activities such as health, leadership and recreation projects.
She became a recognized athlete both in high school and at Wheaton College in Illinois, where she was inducted into its Hall of Fame for athletic achievement. She received a master’s degree in physical education at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
The write-up released by Norwood says Moncier went on to teach high school at U.S. Department of Defense schools in Iceland and Germany. Norwood said her partner later became a stockbroker for the E.F. Hutton Company in San Francisco. Norwood said that’s where the two met in 1981 while Norwood was completing her psychiatric residency with the U.S. Army at Letterman Army Medical Center.
The couple next moved to the Fort Hood, Texas, area where Moncier became a certified financial planner. The two moved to Washington in 1988.
In 1996, when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer, Moncier received support services from the Mautner Project, a D.C.-area lesbian health organization. The following year, after completing treatment, she became a Mautner volunteer and was recognized for her service to the group in 1999 by receiving its direct services award.
She retired from her job with the ICMA-RC retirement planning company for public-sector employees in 2008 for health reasons after her cancer returned, Norwood said.
“Jan was known for her extreme generosity, love of gardening, travel and women’s basketball; and her devotion to finding a good deal on Craigslist,” Norwood said in her write-up.
Moncier was predeceased by her parents, Mark and Bonnie Wilhoit Moncier; her sister, Sherry Rockstad; and her brother, David Moncier. She is survived by Norwood, her spouse; her brother-in-law Phil Rockstad; sister-in-law Margaret Moncier; her nephew Jonathan Moncier; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 9, at 1 p.m. at the Hill Center on Capitol Hill at 921 Pennsylvania Ave., S.E. in D.C. The family asks that memorial contributions be made to a favorite charity in lieu of flowers.
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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