Local
AIDS groups in dispute over NAPWA trademark rights
AIDS United to challenge plan
NAPWA’s National Gay Men’s AIDS Awareness Day on Sept. 27, 2012 in Freedom Plaza. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
A judge with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for Maryland on Dec. 23 approved a motion allowing the D.C.-based Community Education Group, which provides AIDS-related services aimed at minority communities, to buy the legal rights to nine names linked to the National Association of People with AIDS.
But Judge Paul Mannes directed the national group AIDS United, which opposes CEG’s purchase of at least one of the NAPWA-related names, to submit draft language for his final order clarifying the extent of the legal rights CEG would have for those names. Mannes was expected to make the final decision on what the order will say within the next week or two.
With more than $750,000 owed to creditors, NAPWA shut its doors in February 2013 after filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
Laura J. Margulies, the bankruptcy trustee appointed by the court to represent NAPWA’s estate, filed the motion asking Mannes to approve CEG’s request to purchase the trademark rights to the NAPWA name and the names of various programs and projects that NAPWA carried out during its 30-year tenure as a nationally respected group representing people with AIDS.
The names listed in her motion are National HIV Testing Day, National Association of People with AIDS, National Gay Men’s Awareness Day, National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, National Healthy Living Summit, AIDS Watch, Staying Alive, NAPWA and National Association of People With AIDS, Inc.
“This transfer of ownership will guarantee these assets are not lost and continue to help serve those living with HIV/AIDS,” CEG said in a statement released on Dec. 30.
“We hope to continue their mission and look forward to re-establishing partnerships and building new ones around these legacy programs as we push forward for those living with HIV and AIDS,” A. Toni Young, CEG’s president and CEO added in the statement.
However, Michael Kaplan, CEO of AIDS United, said he was troubled that CEG has filed trademark applications for most of the names, including the AIDS Watch name, with the U.S. Office of Patent and Trademarks. Kaplan said NAPWA’s board prior to the bankruptcy filing authorized AIDS United and the Treatment Access Expansion Project, which also advocates for people with HIV/AIDS, to carry out the AIDS Watch project.
The project involves an annual two-day congressional lobbying effort in which AIDS activists from throughout the country come to Washington to visit the offices of their senators and representatives to push for federal AIDS programs.
“We feel it is not a good idea to trademark AIDS-related programs and names,” he said. “I believe they are in the public domain and they should be in the public domain.”
Kaplan said AIDS United will “definitely” challenge CEG’s application to secure a trademark for the AIDS Watch name.
Young said CEG welcomes participation of other groups in the programs and projects represented by the various names. CEG maintains that NAPWA’s board never transferred or assigned AIDS United or any other group the legal rights to the AIDS Watch name.
“CEG hopes to work together with those that have supported and sponsored these efforts in the past while increasing the reach into communities of color and women,” Young said.
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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