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Comings & Goings
New leadership for the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus
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 business, joining boards of organizations and other achievements. Please share your successes with us at [email protected].
Congratulations to Heine Lund who has a new position in customer service with Colorado Grand Vacations in Breckenridge, Colo. Lund said, “I am thrilled to be working in the mountains where it is truly God’s country.” Many will know Lund from his years of living in D.C. and Rehoboth Beach, Del. He has always been an avid skier and has worked in many different areas but one of the most interesting was as instructor with the Twin Cities Trapeze Center.
Prior to moving to Colorado he worked in retail as a sales consultant with Allen Edmunds. He continues his work on a contract basis as a personal trainer and Stretch Zone Practitioner. For 14 years he was a flight attendant with Delta Airlines.
Congratulations also to Philip Shelly who begins his new position as a staff assistant to Congresswoman Angie Craig (D-Minn.). On starting the position Shelly said, “I am proud to work for the first LGBTQ mom in Congress and I thank everyone who has helped me to earn this opportunity.” He moved to this position after completing an internship with Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.).
Prior to that he worked as in intern with the Human Rights Campaign in the Major Gifts Office. He has also worked for Correct The Record as Digital Media Manager. While in school Shelly worked with the Galesburg Downtown Council in Galesburg, Ill., where he organized a committee of local government and business leaders to discuss expansion of access to recycling facilities in the downtown and designed a new website and refined its content to improve availability of information to members of the Special Service Area, board members, and grant applicants. He graduated cum laude from Loyola University Chicago with a bachelor’s in history and political science.
Congratulations also to Shawn Gaylord, the new executive director of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus. The mission of the caucus is to work for LGBT rights, the repeal of discriminatory laws, the elimination of hate-motivated violence, and improved health and well-being for all persons, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. The caucus serves as a resource for members of Congress, their staffs, and the public on LGBT issues. Membership in the LGBT Equality Caucus is open to any member who is willing to advance LGBT rights, regardless of their sexual identity or orientation. It has historically been co-chaired by every openly LGBT member of the House. In February 2016 the caucus formed the Equality PAC to support candidates running for federal office who are LGBT or seek to advance LGBT rights. Upon accepting the position Gaylord said, “I am excited to be stepping into this role at such an important moment. The expanded leadership of the Equality Caucus and the momentum behind important legislation such as The Equality Act make this an exciting time to be engaged in this work.”
Prior to joining the Equality Caucus he worked for a number of different organizations including PL+USas legislative director where he worked on paid family leave issues. He worked for Human Rights First as Advocacy Counsel and for the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network in a number of positions including Public Policy Director.
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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