Fabrice Houdart | A weekly newsletter on LGBTQ+ Equality
This week: Meso-American rumors, the embattled French PM, le grand débat, Gender Liberation March, the LGBTQ+ Directors Summit, states troll VisitFlorida, Pasek is an EGOT, Harari’s Nexus, and more…
Welcome to this week's newsletter. From Meso-America's political closets to the troubling realities in Zimbabwe and the unreal US Presidential debate, summer isn’t getting a soft landing. You will see that my takeaways from the discussion are a bit frivolous: the American vote is a black box to me, and therefore, despite Trump completely flanking last night, I have no idea how it will affect November. I’ll continue relying on my voodoo practice to influence the election outcomes.
This week: Meso-American rumors, the embattled French PM, Gender Liberation March, the LGBTQ+ Directors Summit, states troll VisitFlorida, Pasek is an EGOT, Harari’s Nexus, and more…
Global News
Meso-America: gossips, rumors and “traditional values”
I had no idea Meso-America was so mesosexual? Guatemala’s former president, Alejandro Giammattei, famously barred from entering the U.S. for corruption since January, has long been the subject of rumors about his alleged relationship with Miguel Martínez. “Miguelito” has been nicknamed everything from el principito, la primera dama, la reina del sur, la princesa, la patrona. Of course, Giammattei has a history of supporting anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. Similarly, the alleged secret life of President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador fuels similar rumors. Bukele once showed some support for LGBTQ+ rights but now describes them as “unnatural” and "anti-family" (read In Bukele's El Salvador, shrinking space for sexual diversity).
France: New Prime Minister Faces Scrutiny for Anti-Gay Votes
Michel Barnier, the 73-year-old newly prime minister who was just appointed to replace Gabriel Attal, is already under fire as an LGBTQ+ historian highlighted his history of voting against gay rights (read more on ABCNews). At 30, Barnier opposed a law that decriminalized homosexual activity among young people in 1981. He also cast a similar vote in 1980 against progress for LGBTQ+ rights. This adds a layer of tension for Barnier, who was already rejected by the left coalition, which had won the recent elections but could not agree on a PM. On n’est pas sorti de l’auberge!
Italy: scandal in the Meloni government
While portraying pragmatism on the global stage, Meloni has doubled down on conservative, anti-LGBTQ+ policies at home. The NYTimes recently discussed her staunch opposition to same-sex parenting and surrogacy rights. So much for “protecting traditional families” when the Minister of Culture’s extra-marital affair with the now infamous Maria Rosaria Boccia led to allegations of misuse of public office and the Minister’s resignation. Read about it in The Guardian.
South Africa: Lesbian Couple Murder Sparks Outrage
The murder of Nombulelo Thandathina Bixa, 28, and Minenhle Ngcobo, 22, on August 27 in Dambuza, has drawn condemnation from LGBTQ+ organizations. Ngcobo’s ex-boyfriend, allegedly upset by her relationship with Bixa, is accused of the crime. ILORA and Uthingo Network, LGBTQ rights organizations, have called for justice and highlighted the continued violence faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in rural areas. Read about it in the Blade.
Zimbabwe: Gay Couple Faces Prison After Calling Police Over Dispute
Two men face up to 14 years in prison after a domestic dispute inadvertently revealed their same-sex relationship to the police (read on LGBTQNation). After calling authorities to settle a financial argument, the couple, aged 25 and 28, were charged with sodomy, a crime under Zimbabwe's colonial-era laws.
Uganda: Stop the World Bank from Restarting Lending to Uganda
LGBTQI+ civil society is demanding in an open letter that the World Bank halt its plans to restart lending to Uganda, where the Anti-Homosexuality Law continues to endanger LGBTQI+ people. Despite the World Bank’s promise of "mitigation measures," these efforts are insufficient and risk legitimizing discrimination. You can sign and circulate the letter here.
World Bank: EQOSOGI 2024 report is out
The World Bank just published its second Equality of Opportunity for Sexual and Gender Minorities report, which comprehensively analyzes the legal and policy landscapes affecting LGBTQ+ individuals in 64 countries. It highlights six crucial areas: decriminalization, education, employment, access to services, civil inclusion, and protection from hate crimes. Most countries still lack supportive frameworks, with only Canada, France, and Spain showing high levels of inclusivity. Download the full report here and check out the launch webinar here.
Tonga: New Gay Chief Justice Sworn In Amid Controversy
Tonga’s newly sworn-in Chief Justice, Niu Aiu, has made history as the first openly gay person to hold the position. The appointment follows King Tupou VI's decision not to sign the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) due to concerns it could pave the way for the legalization of same-sex marriage. Here is a map, I don't judge.
US News
Debate 2024: Pet Tacos and Gender-Affirming Surgery Galore
Last night was debate night in the US. It was edifying, as expected. We learned that illegal immigrants are turning pets into street tacos while Kamala is giving them unwarranted gender-affirming surgeries. On the first item, I could not help but feel Trump’s timing was perfect as The Atlantic had a much-discussed feature this week on whether animals understand their mortality (Do Animals Know That They Will Die?). I was surprised that Trump quoted Victor Orban as his referral for his foreign diplomacy skills: it’s a bit like a party promoter getting a job reference from Billy McFarland (who is back in business, by the way).
Trump's Rally Rhetoric Hits New Low on Trans Issues
We can expect Trump to increase his alarmist trans rhetoric in the coming weeks. At a rally in Wisconsin last week, alongside threatening to round up undocumented immigrants in what he called a "bloody story," Trump, probably worried about unwarranted gender-affirming surgeries as his son started at NYU this week, peddled a claim (see here) that children in America are undergoing these surgeries during school hours without their parents’ knowledge:
Can you imagine you’re a parent and your son leaves the house and you say, ‘Jimmy, I love you so much. Go have a good day in school’ and your son comes back with a brutal operation. Can you even imagine this? What the hell is wrong with our country?
The Complex Legacy of Gay Republicans
Check out this article in the Bay Area Reporter on political historian Neil J. Young's book titled "Coming Out Republican.” The book explores the alleged significant presence of LGBTQ+ conservatives in the GOP, particularly during the Trump era. They should be the target audience for my newsletter:
…most of them would argue that the gay rights movement is over, as it has accomplished what it set out to do in their minds: gain public acceptance for homosexuality, end the military bam, and secure the right to same-sex marriage
Walz at the Human rights campaign
At the Human Rights Campaign National Dinner last Saturday, Walz praised Harris’ work on executive orders protecting LGBTQ+ individuals in healthcare, education, and the military. He emphasized Harris’ dedication to “equal justice under the law” and her track record in California. See in The Advocate.
Gender Liberation March in DC this weekend
I found something for you to do this weekend. On September 14th, my friend Raquel Willis brings the Gender Liberation March to DC with the Brooklyn Liberation March and Women’s March organizers to advocate for abortion access, gender-affirming care, and representative democracy. The link can be found here to sign up to march or organize a bus, donate, and support the mobilization and movement. I’d go, but I am on the eve of travel, so I count on you.
Sarah McBride is one step closer to Congress
The NYTimes reports that transgender Delaware State Senator Sarah McBride secured a decisive victory in the Democratic primary for the state’s only U.S. House seat, positioning her as the favorite to win in November. Her platform, focusing on LGBTQ+ rights and key social issues like paid family leave, has resonated in the deep-blue state, setting the stage for a historic moment in U.S. politics.
Queering the boardroom
Progress and Challenges for Women on U.S. Corporate Boards
At the 50/50 Women on Boards Global Summit yesterday, I joined LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors’ Board Members Rob Smith and Ozzie Gromada Meza to highlight the progress and obstacles faced by women at the pinnacle of business. Currently, women hold 30% of public company board seats, which is still far from the 44% we have in France, with only 8% being women of color. Despite a 14% increase in representation from 2017–2023, annual growth has stalled at less than 1%. Critical mass is growing—44.4% of companies now have three or more women on their boards, a significant jump from 21.5% in 2019. We spoke a lot about unifying our efforts.
Next week is the LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors Summit.
From insights with top executives like Ted Acosta, EY Americas Vice Chair, and Reggie Van Lee to discussions on AI’s role in corporate governance and small venture board dynamics, the Association of LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors summit next week at JPMorgan will be packed with valuable knowledge and networking opportunities. We will also tackle the 2024 boardroom landscape, and Stacey Friedman from JPMorgan will share her perspective on the DEI landscape. That day, the Association will release its annual Board Monitor Report outlining, in particular, the latest NASADQ Disclosures analysis.
Firstboard.io Innovation Summit: Reinventing Business
On October 10, Firstboard.io, in partnership with PwC, will host the Innovation Summit in San Jose. The summit will focus on business transformation from a board, management, and investor perspective. Key speakers will include industry leaders from companies like Workiva, Google Ventures, and Okta, who will discuss AI-driven reinvention. Learn more here.
The Gay Business
Where are the UN LGBTI Corporate Standards when you need them?
In 2017, I co-authored the UN LGBTI Corporate Standards of Conduct, now part of the international human rights framework. The goal was to remind companies that addressing discrimination in the workplace is not philanthropy, is not a “nice to have,” and is not doing anybody a favor but is fulfilling companies' human rights responsibilities as outlined by UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights endorsed by the UN Human Rights Council in 2011. Why aren’t the standards responding as companies are starting to claim immunity to DEI efforts improbably? After I left, OHCHR handed over the dissemination of the standards to the World Economic Forum, which has not done much with it. It’s more than time to go back on the corporate campaign trail with them, and I’d love your suggestions.
Ford's DEI Retreat: Have We Forgotten the Lessons of Allan Gilmour?
Ford's recent decision to step back from workplace equality surveys feels like a step backward in corporate accountability and Ford's inclusion journey. It reminded me of the story of Allan Gilmour, Ford’s former Vice Chairman, now in his 90s, who came out as gay with difficulty while navigating Ford’s corporate ranks (read about that story in this 1997 piece and more recent one). As I noted in my Substack post “Too Hard for Ford? CEI and the Cost of Corporate Accountability,” the automaker seems to have forgotten that the burden lies with marginalized groups who still face discrimination, not corporations filling out a survey. By backing away from DEI, Ford fails to respond to its human rights responsibility to remedy discrimination against its employees.
Bill Ford said to me, “No board member ever mentioned the fact that you were gay when we were talking about bringing you back.” In hindsight, I think that probably means that they did talk about it earlier when I was a candidate for CEO.
State Tourism Campaigns Troll VisitFlorida
Following Florida's removal of LGBTQ+ travel content on the VisitFlorida website, states like Illinois, Connecticut, and Colorado have launched campaigns to attract LGBTQ+ tourists. Connecticut emphasizes inclusivity with its “Everyone Belongs” message, while Illinois continues its "Amazing for All" initiative, celebrating diversity and welcoming LGBTQ+ visitors. Time Magazine also reminded everybody this week that no Florida tourism would exist without LGBTQ+ historical tourism.
The Semi cultural desk
A One-Man 'Marriage of Figaro' on the Hudson
All the cool kids were at Little Island’s outdoor amphitheater in NYC this week, where countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo is captivating audiences by singing all the major roles in a frenetic and innovative 100-minute adaptation of “The Marriage of Figaro”. The bold adaptation, which sold out quickly, exemplifies the revolutionary energy of the show, offering a fresh, dynamic experience for opera enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Check out the dithyrambic review in the NY Times.
Yuval Noah Harari’s Apocalyptic AI Warning
I saw Harari and his partner at a party last Friday as they were in town from London, where they now live, to promote Harari’s latest book, Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks From the Stone Age to AI. In it, Harari paints a stark picture of AI as a force that could extinguish human dominance and consciousness. Despite his Silicon Valley following, Harari remains critical of the tech industry’s unbridled optimism, reminding us that AI’s rapid development poses risks beyond our comprehension. Read about it in The Atlantic.
Pasek and Paul Enter the EGOT Club with Emmy Win
Songwriting duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul have officially joined the exclusive EGOT club after winning an Emmy at the 2024 Creative Arts Emmys. Their win in the Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics category for "Which of the Pickwick Triplets Did It?" from Only Murders in the Building completes their Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards collection. Known for Dear Evan Hansen and La La Land, Pasek and Paul are well-liked, and everybody is overjoyed for them (see Deadline).
David Sedaris: The Pope and the Comedians: When Holy Meets Hilarity
In the New Yorker, David Sedaris recounts his recent unexpected invitation to the Vatican, where he and a group of world-renowned comics, including Stephen Colbert, Whoopi Goldberg, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, were invited to meet Pope Francis. It's worth a read.
Brilliant Exiles: The Lesbian Trailblazers of Paris
I have to go down to DC three times this fall (dinner for the Association at JPMorgan, the NACD Summit, where we host an annual event, and the Institute of Current World Affairs Board, of which I am now the chair), an opportunity to check out “Brilliant Exiles-American Women in Paris 1900-1939”, an exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery. It showcases the untold stories of American women who fled societal constraints, finding refuge and creative freedom in Paris (basically the reverse journey to mine, although I don’t have a creative bone). Among these pioneers were trailblazing lesbians such as Gertrude Stein, Sylvia Beach, and Djuna Barnes, who challenged norms and redefined them in the avant-garde spaces of Parisian salons and bookstores. Check it out here.
Daniel Craig Embraces Queer Romance in Guadagnino's Latest Film
Daniel Craig returns to the Venice Film Festival with Queer (no trailer strangely, but the clip below) Luca Guadagnino’s bold adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ novel. In this sexually explicit film, Craig plays Lee, an expat navigating desire and addiction in Mexico City. The film explores Lee’s obsession with a young drifter.
Incest and DNA testing
This is a bit random, but indulge me; I read this year-old-old article in The Atlantic, which shows that according to several analyses of DNA databases, it is somewhat common for children to be born to parents who were first-degree relatives—a brother and a sister or a parent and a child. It reminded me of how, during the horrendous French debate on same-sex marriage, many French people argued with me that same-sex marriage would unleash incest, utterly oblivious to the fact that incest cannot in any way claim the same freedom between two consenting adults, even if both have reached the legal age of sexual consent. For example, my former scout unit chief Thibault Brière de la Hosseraye, a self-appointed Corportae Philosopher, wrote me this misguided message in 2012:
Why would incest between consenting adults have more negative consequences than love between homosexual or heterosexual people? Wouldn't that be showing some form of "-phobia" towards them? You also significantly speak of 'perversion'... Why more with them than with homosexuals? Isn't the freedom of individuals to express their sexuality as they see fit the ultimate value?
Coming and going
Celebrating Mark Bonham's Honorary Degree
A heartfelt congratulations to Mark Bonham, who will soon receive an honorary degree from Toronto Metropolitan University (see here). I greatly admire Mark's incredible achievements, including his pivotal role in building LGBTQ Corporate Directors Canada, philanthropy, and unwavering support for LGBTQ+ communities.
Rick Hopper Appointed as New President of Sea Education Association
My former World Bank colleague, Dr. Richard Hopper, has been named the Sea Education Association's next president (SEA) president bringing over 39 years of experience in education, including leadership roles at the Bank and community colleges in New England.
The Gay Agenda
September 23-28: UN Week 2024, Pushing for Global Equality
As the 79th session of the UN General Assembly kicks off during UN Week 2024, leaders worldwide will address urgent global challenges under the theme “Leaving No One Behind.” For LGBTQ+ advocates, this high-level week, running from September 23 to 28, is critical for advancing the agenda on equality, human dignity, and inclusion. You can catch me at the Concordia Summit, where I will speak about LGBT+ Representation in Global Governments: Reflecting on Progress and Shaping the Future. I also plan to attend the annual event that Open For Business will host on the 24th.
January 2025: Ari Shapiro returns to 54 Below in NYC
Ari Shapiro, the beloved NPR All Things Considered host and part-time cabaret sensation, is bringing his talents to the stage once again with his upcoming show, Thank You For Listening, in January 2025. Known for his witty storytelling and velvet voice, Ari has had a busy year—between “The Mole” on Netflix, his podcast ventures and appearances in various queer spaces. Catch him at his finest on January 2, 3, and 4 for an intimate evening of music, humor, and reflections. Grab your tickets early, as his shows sell out fast!
Well, that’s it for this week; I am very proud that, for once, I am almost on time. Our visibility and activism remain critical, whether in boardrooms or on the streets. Think of engaging with upcoming events, such as UN Week and the Gender Liberation March in DC (I’d have gone to the March with the twins, but I am about to engage in an endless Fall of travel that will take me to DC (thrice), San Francisco (twice), Seattle, Miami, possibly Sri Lanka/India and finally France). Too often, the mainstream still considers us a fringe setting. I know from experience that it’s accurate within the UN Context. Until next time, stay proud, stay informed, and keep pushing the agenda forward!