Fabrice Houdart | A weekly newsletter on LGBTQ+ Equality
This week: Tractor Supply Company, BestBuy vs. DiNapoli, France + US in flames, Malawi disappoints, a Senegalese gay taylor parable, the Association’s 2nd anniversary, queer joy and much more...
Welcome to the 197th edition of this newsletter. International Pride Month has wrapped (with the NASDAQ Pride event and a lovely sendoff Monday night), and you can slow down a bit…until next week. On Monday, welcome to "AfterPride," where the spirit of resistance transforms into sustained action. While Pride is our show of force, AfterPride is about laser-focused resistance against sinister efforts like Project 2025 in the U.S., the bleak political future in France, or the shortsighted yet demeaning moves by nefarious corporate actors like the Tractor Supply Company. It's time to re-engage our corporate allies, who must move beyond their lackluster support in June. Performative gestures aren't enough these days, but we do have some leverage. Let's harness the energy of Pride and turn it into a powerful force for lasting equality.
This week: Tractor Supply Company, BestBuy vs. DiNapoli, France + US in flames, Malawi disappoints, a Senegalese gay taylor parable, the Association’s 2nd anniversary, queer joy, and much more.…
Global News
France: fascism at the gates of the Republic
I am not going to sugarcoat it for you. It’s not good: “Assemblée plurielle” for Attal or “majorité absolue” for Jordan Bardella, the future looks bleak for la République. The second round this Sunday (July 7th) will confirm the amplitude of the disaster. Sure, the Rassemblement National put some lipstick on these past few years, and sure, the gays and the Jews will probably be “honorary whites.” Still, this regime will be hell for Muslim people, trans people, and anybody who did not accumulate power and money to inoculate themselves for what’s to come. Read more on what the market is forecasting.
A third scenario — dubbed “Marine Meloni” — could see Le Pen follow the example of Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and concentrate on signature policies such as a tough stance on immigration.
China: societal attitudes are catching up
A new report by the Williams Institute surveyed a segment of the Chinese population and found that over half (53%) of respondents agreed that LGBTQ+ people should be accepted by Chinese society. Results show that about half of the respondents agreed that same-sex couples can be capable parents (48%), should be able to marry (52%), and that they would personally attend a same-sex wedding (46%). An additional 37% somewhat agreed with each positive attitude toward same-sex families. See here.
Malawi: a setback in our winning streak
This week, the Malawi court's ruling constituted a regional human rights setback. It feels regressive as it follows the historic decriminalization of homosexuality just days earlier by the High Court in Namibia. Our friends at All Out are partnering with Nyasa Rainbow Alliance to raise funds for Malawi Pride here.
Senegal: The Sad Gay Taylor Parable
In the historic city of Ndar, a homosexual taylor pursued a relationship with a young neighbor who initially exchanged contact information with him. However, the neighbor and his friends devised a plan to punish him, leading to a violent assault during a staged meeting. Following the attack, which was recorded and used for blackmail, the taylor filed a police complaint. Guess who got charges of “incitement to debauchery and distribution of obscene material”? The article reports that both the attackers and the victim were arrested and are now awaiting trial in prison.
Nepal: historical exhuberance
Sunil Babu Pant’s film trailer shows gender diversity in Nepal’s religious representations: Ajima and the Six Genders.
US News
Biden's Debate: no gas-lighting here
Crucify me if you wish, but please don’t count on me to partake in the great debate gaslighting: we all watched the same show on Thursday night. James Carville said it best, "If I appeared as Biden did during the debate, I'd want to be pulled off the tube." President Biden has obvious health issues, and Kamala-Harris better be ready for all eventualities. I had a weird Friday as, like many New York gays, I happened to cross paths with the President and his entourage twice: first at the grand opening of the Stonewall National Monument Visitors Center (watch his and Elton’s speeches) and then at the DNC dinner that night which featured Billy Porter and Wilson Cruz (there is a picture at the end of this newsletter with the President although sadly I had forgotten to wear a tie and have gained too much weight to close my jacket). Almost everybody I ran into at the DNC event voiced concerns about Biden’s viability as a candidate, "playing five-bullet Russian Roulette with the U.S. democracy," only to change their tune if one of the apparatchiks dropped in. They would performatively cheer #StillRidwnWithBiden. The cognitive dissonance was out of control, and our elite shone by its lack of courage for the rest of the weekend as it tiptoed around Camp David.
WPATH, the White House, and an unwelcomed distraction
Newly released court documents reveal that Biden administration officials, including Adm. Rachel Levine, actively lobbied the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) to remove age restrictions for transgender surgeries in minors. Read about it in the New York Times. This intervention, intended to avoid political backlash, has stirred significant debate. Internal emails highlight Levine's concern that age limits would exacerbate legislative challenges and restrict access to care. Critics argue this move prioritizes politics over science, while supporters emphasize the necessity of timely medical interventions for transgender youth. The Economist wrote, “Research into trans medicine has been manipulated”:
Questions remain unanswered, but none of this helps WPATH’s claim to be an organization that bases its recommendations on science.
White House takes a stance against affirming surgery for youth
As if we needed this conversation now, of all times, the White House “clarified” their stance (see White House says gender-affirming surgeries should be limited to adults on The Hill). On Tuesday, Brian Bond of PFLAG issued a press release condemning the White House for its comments. Kelley Robinson (HRC) said the ‘Biden administration is flat wrong on this.’
U.S. Lawmakers Condemn Uganda’s Anti-LGBTQ Law
Reps. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) and Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio) introduced a resolution condemning Uganda's harsh Anti-Homosexuality Act. Takano - who was in New York this week and marched with Governor Hochul in the Pride Parade - criticized Uganda's government for targeting LGBTQ+ individuals instead of addressing corruption and extrajudicial killings. Beatty described the law as one of the world's most draconian, emphasizing the U.S. Congress's solidarity with LGBTQ+ Ugandans and the need for the law's immediate repeal.
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America Got Gay Marriage, but It Came at a Cost
Omar G. Encarnación, had an interesting essay in the NYTimes, as the nation approaches the 10th anniversary of the nationwide legalization of gay marriage. Encarnación argues that the American gay marriage campaign, though successful, was too modest and rights-focused, missing opportunities for broader equality. He contrasts this with more ambitious international campaigns, like Spain's, which framed gay marriage as a moral and human rights issue. Encarnación suggests that American activists adopt a more idealistic approach, emphasizing citizenship and dignity to combat backlash and achieve true equality.
The approach was good enough to make gay marriage the law of the land. Yet by failing to make a more ambitious case for equality across the board, as other countries did, the campaign limited the transformative power of gay marriage and created an opening for today’s backlash.
Pride Convening at the State Department
Last week, Special Envoy Stern hosted the U.S. Government policy conference on US foreign policy and LGBTQI+ rights at the State Department. Secretary Blinken, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield (U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN), and Ambassador Tai, the U.S. Trade Representative, participated. Outright’s Kimberly Zieselman was represented on a panel with civil society speakers and had the chance to speak about the importance of intersex inclusion. Koppa co-founders Prof. Lee Badgett and Phil Crehan were among the guests. Jessica’s and Blinken’s remarks can be found here.
Gay who’s who at the DNC
Despite Buttigieg, Rufus Gifford, Karine Jean-Pierre, and Sarah McBride being very cheerful, the DNC Gala event felt like a gay titanic as anemic guests picked obsessively over pieces of cheese on their paper plates. However, Elton John would not play the piano, so we had no music as the guests attempted to board emotional lifeboats. Hosted by Jeffrey Marburg at a table with Congressman Takano, Valerie Ploumpis, and Alfredo Pellici, I ran into many people at the reception: Claire Lucas, Joe Solmonese, Shamina Singh, Benj Pasek, Jeremy Heymans, Weston Milliken, Otho Kerr, Kelley Robinson, Rich Ferraro, Jackson Block or Charles Myers and his gorgeous daughter… I also saw the indefatigable Gina Ortiz, Founder of the Find Out PAC, who gave me this fantastic shirt. You can get yours on the Find Out PAC Webstore.
GRACE's New Video
GRACE, a new trans-led organization aiming to build support for transgender equality among moderate Republicans, has released a compelling video featuring Rich Lovegrove, a former Evangelical deacon and proud father to a transgender teenager who shares his journey of faith and support for his child. The Lovegrove family plans to move due to South Carolina's new transgender healthcare ban for youth. See below:
Queering the Boardroom
The Association gains more visibility this Pride season
The Association of LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors had a very active pride month. Per Fabrice, the Association co-hosted dinners in Silicon Valley with NACD NorCal and new sponsor Cooley (see here) and in NYC with JPMorgan (Marty Chavez was the keynote). We co-published the list of 75 "Top LGBTQ+ Board Members" (see here) with BoardProspects, published a piece in Agenda Financial Times, WBC insights, collaborated with FastCompany on a "Top 50 Queer List" (see here), and co-hosted a Pride gathering at NYSE.
It’s our birthday! Support our mission and donate to the Association.
Now more than ever, the LGBTQ+ community must consolidate its power in the Boardroom. To scale up our work, I’d love for you to consider making a tax-deductible donation. The Association was incorporated in June 2022 and launched at a dinner in September of that year. You can help us scale up our engagement and donate to the Association, a tax-exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (EIN 92-0833033).
Key appointments/departures
In recent boardroom moves, Jason Rizzi—who was in town this weekend to fundraise for the William’s Institute—has stepped down as a board member at Columbia University's Alumni Association. Maggie Lower, a former board member at Grindr Inc., officially departed on July 19th. On the appointment side, Richard H. Gomez has been named Chief Commercial Officer at Target Corporation. Lastly, John R. Alchin will conclude his tenure as a board member at Ralph Lauren Corporation on August 1, 2024.
In Agenda: Slow but Steady: LGBTQ+ Board Representation Increases
Megan Kashner from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and I contributed to an Agenda Week article urging current board members to advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion, emphasizing our members' unique perspectives and resilience. I specifically highlighted my theories on the psychological and experiential benefits LGBTQ+ individuals offer to boardrooms, such as improved risk management and resilience skills. Megan said:
Do you know your fellow board members' wives' names? Probably. How many kids they have? Probably. If you don't know if any members of the board might be LGBTQIA, then you are probably not creating an environment where everyone feels comfortable with who they are.
LBTQ+ Women In The Boardroom: Breaking Barriers And Building Bridges
Here is a link to our full article on Women Business Collective, discussing the underrepresentation of LBTQ+ women. Despite a demographic revolution in America driven by bisexuality and non-binary identities, companies are slow to catch up with the representation of LBTQ+ women in boardrooms. Our Association and its sister organizations in Canada and Australia strive to bridge this gap through networking, professional development, and increasing visibility. Allies within corporate structures play a crucial role in advocating for the inclusion of LGBTQ+ women in boardroom discussions. Regulatory changes, like the Nasdaq Board Diversity Rule, are also pushing companies to reassess their diversity policies. I will speak at the Women Business Collaborative’s annual Action for Impact Summit in September.
The gay business
Tractor Supply Company's Bizarre Anti-DEI Posturing
Barf. TSC wins the palm of the most depressing corporate press release of 2024. Tractor Supply Company’s recent announcement to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) roles, retract carbon emission goals, and stop data submissions to the Human Rights Campaign, following activist Robby Starbuck's criticism, is baffling (see here). The Board's decision to publicly renounce corporate social responsibility dramatically signals a troubling shift. Their PR campaign seems to mock their previous commitments, suggesting a lack of core values and opportunistic behavior. It's disheartening to see a $13 billion company display such poor judgment and short-sightedness, aligning with political turmoil rather than societal progress. Below is the map of the connections between the board members and other organizations, such as the Business Roundtable or the University of Central Florida, showing the corporate gangrene risk.
And here is a tweet from a gay farmer:
.@TractorSupply I’m a gay man who owns a farm and is a frequent buyer from your store. No more. Your statement is a slap in my face. It’s a denial of my existence. It’s a step backwards for equality.
New York Pension Fund to Vote Against Best Buy Chairman
The WSJ reports that the New York State Common Retirement Fund, managed by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, has announced its decision to vote against the re-election of Best Buy’s chairman and other key board members. This move stems from concerns about Best Buy’s commitment to LGBTQ+ advocacy. The fund, which holds less than 1% of Best Buy shares, represents a broader trend of shareholder activism around social issues. This decision follows a controversy involving the National Center for Public Policy Research, which questioned Best Buy's support for LGBTQ+ groups I reported on previously.
The Hidden Cost of Corporate Pride Sponsorships
Koppa’s co-founder was quoted in this RawStory article (also an OpenSecrets story). Some of the most vocal pride-supporting companies continue to fund politicians and groups opposing LGBTQ+ rights. For instance, Delta Air Lines and MasterCard’s PACs have made significant contributions to Republican candidates known for supporting anti-LGBTQ legislation. Political science professor Melissa Michelson termed this behavior "rainbow washing," which highlights the contradiction between public support and financial backing of anti-LGBTQ policies.
Painting Outside the Lines: Widehall
Our friend Steve Clemons is venturing into new territories with Widehall LLC, a company he co-founded to revolutionize the events industry. Under Clemons' leadership, Widehall promises unique, high-impact gatherings. I texted Clemons to tell him the Association is keen to work with him.
The semi-cultural desk
Ari Shapiro Takes the Helm of Netflix's "The Mole"
Ari Shapiro, the beloved host of NPR's "All Things Considered" and Maxime’s godfather, is stepping into a new role as the host of Netflix's rebooted reality competition show, "The Mole." We watched it on Sunday, and I told the delicious Andrew Keenan-Bolger, who I ran into at Alok’s birthday bash, that it gives Ari a much-needed opportunity to express his darker side. As expected, Shapiro transitioned perfectly from radio to television, modeling the perfect outfits for Malaysia. The show features 12 players working together to build a prize pot while one secretly sabotages their efforts as the mole.
Queen Tut: An Egyptian Immigrant's Journey to Drag Stardom
"Queen Tut" follows a young Egyptian immigrant's journey from Cairo to Toronto after his mother's death. Immersed in Toronto's underground queer nightlife, he defies his father's disapproval and embraces drag to honor his mother's memory, ultimately transforming into the captivating Queen Tut. Catch the official trailer below:
NYC: A Pride like no other
I like to think of myself as the Pride Police. I always watch which executive director skips the march and who doesn’t. Kevin Jennings is always with his troops in NYC; this year was particularly meaningful as he launched Lambda’s Unstoppable campaign (see here), while Kelley Robinson had the best moves in SF: in my next life, I want to be her. For the current life, here is a pic of the twins in front of the SNMVC during the parade.
The Gay Agenda
IDAHOBIT 2024, we nailed it
The global celebration was the largest, and ILGA World posted a video recap this week. Koppa is still working hard to ensure we ring the bell for Equality on May 17th, 2025, in as many stock exchanges as possible. If you want to lend a hand, contact my colleague Amar: at amar@koppalab.org
I know I am one hour late. I blame my Pride-emotional hangover. May the fourth be with you. I am off to Hudson tomorrow for some R&R with my wondrous children. Hopefully, I'll see you next week refreshed and a bit less crisp about our future. I leave you with this picture: I guess Friday wasn’t a good day to forget wearing a tie or getting a jacket I can close.
Re France, indeed I don’t know how Jews will fare (I understand many are uncertain about the meaning of this all for their future) - but Jews aren’t White, we’re just passing as White.
Senegal: The Sad Gay Taylor Parable
In the historic city of Ndar, a homosexual taylor pursued a relationship with a young neighbor who initially exchanged contact information with him. However, the neighbor and his friends devised a plan to punish him, leading to a violent assault during a staged meeting. Following the attack, which was recorded and used for blackmail, the taylor filed a police complaint. Guess who got charges of “incitement to debauchery and distribution of obscene material”? The article reports that both the attackers and the victim were arrested and are now awaiting trial in prison.
The intended noun is "tailor" (rather than Taylor)...?