Fabrice Houdart | A weekly newsletter on LGBTQ+ Equality
Iraq's legal threats, Vatican controversies, the Cass Review, a Russian gay anthem, Germany's self-affirmation, World Bank Spring Meetings, U.S. court rulings, Pride queer fear and much more…
Welcome to the latest issue of "Fabrice Houdart | A weekly newsletter on LGBTQ+ Equality." From potential anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in Iraq to a groundbreaking gender identity law in Germany and the Vatican's controversial stances to the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings, we explore the latest developments in the global movement.
This week: Iraq's legal threats, Vatican controversies, the Cass Review, a Russian gay anthem, Germany's self-affirmation, World Bank Spring Meetings, U.S. court rulings, Pride queer fear, and much more…
Global News
Iraq: One Step Closer to the Death Penalty
Preppy aesthetics and the death penalty for gays are all the rage this year, although never in the same contexts. Iraq's parliament is on the brink of passing a bill that would impose the death penalty or life imprisonment for same-sex relations. The proposed legislation also seeks to criminalize the promotion of homosexuality with severe penalties. As usual, the law's proponents argue that upholding “traditional Iraqi values” *yawn* is necessary. The delay in voting, attributed to time constraints and unresolved amendments, offers a reprieve, but the threat remains acute, showcasing a preoccupying trend in Africa and the Middle East. You can read more here.
Vatican: maybe we hierarchize “social issues”?
Last week, we discussed the strange LGBTQ+ obsession of "Dignitas Infinita" ("Infinite Dignity"), a declaration that ironically aims to emphasize the inherent dignity of all humans while dehumanizing trans people and children born through surrogacy. Hear more on America’s "Inside the Vatican" podcast. War and poverty critiques of gender theory and rejection of sex changes cannot be deemed “equally detrimental” to human dignity. This strange parallel has led to feelings of hurt among LGBTQ+ Catholics despite the progress on the church’s stance against the criminalization of homosexuality alluded to in the document.
UK: the Cass Review ruffles feathers
If you live under a binary rock, the Cass Review is a significant and controversial report on gender services for youth published last Wednesday in the UK (read more about it in Xtra). The publication of Hilary Cass’s final report has given way to polarized headlines: More proof 'gender-affirming care' is a monstrous lie — save the children NOW (New York Post); America should follow England's lead on transgender care for kids (The Economist), A major UK report says trans children are being let down by toxic debate and lack of evidence (Washington Post).
Moscow: pro-war song retrofitted as gay anthem
Now for a light break: LGBTQ+ Russians everywhere - well, mostly abroad - have turned a militaristic song into a Russian gay anthem. Watch here. The homoeroticism of fascism has always been a thing. Let’s never forget that one of the best weapons of our community was always a mix of creativity and humor.
Germany: self-affirmation for trans people
And some uplifting news: Germany implemented a landmark gender identity legislation last week promoting self-determination for transgender and non-binary individuals. This new legislation allows people to legally change their name and gender through straightforward registration with tax authorities, starkly contrasting with more restrictive European approaches. Read the Human Rights Watch’s analysis here.
World Bank: Spring Meetings and MDBs’engagement
I am back on my old grounds as a “Guest” at the World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings this week. I whirled through events focused on LGBTQ+ inclusion amidst the city's cherry blossoms. The Who’s Who of SOGI Development was in town, from my Koppa colleagues to Outright’s Andrew Park, ADB’s Francesco Tornieri, Ambassador Chantale Wong, Ugandan activist Clare Byarugaba and representatives of most of the Multilateral Development Banks who work on this topic. SOGI and development are blooming, too, with engagements ranging from advocating LGBTQ+ inclusion with the ADB to strategizing on inclusive data. This is encouraging.
US News
Idaho: SCOTUS decision halts trans youth care
The Supreme Court has allowed Idaho to enforce a ban on gender-affirming care for minors, marking the first intervention by the justices on this highly contentious issue. Noteworthy: the ruling has more to do with the court’s issue with “injunctive relief” than trans care. This ruling raises significant concerns about access to necessary medical treatments for transgender youth within the state. Appeals are obviously in the work; this is not the final say. Read the analysis in The Washington Post. In a press release, Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador said:
Denying the basic truth that boys and girls are biologically different hurts our kids. No one has the right to harm children, and I’m grateful that we, as the state, have the power — and duty — to protect them.
Missouri: Transgender Health Records are a free-for-all
A St. Louis Circuit Judge has granted the state Attorney General, Andrew Bailey, the right to access certain Planned Parenthood documents concerning transgender health care. This decision came despite concerns over privacy rights under HIPAA, the federal law ensuring patient confidentiality. This could have disastrous consequences for transgender individuals' healthcare privacy. Read more here.
Pennsylvania: A Powerful Precedent on Conversion Therapy
Pennsylvania has set a powerful precedent by opposing conversion therapy on minors, an effort strongly supported by the Shapiro Administration. Recent policies enacted by the State Boards of Psychology and Osteopathic Medicine mark a crucial step in safeguarding LGBTQ+ youth from conversion therapy. Read more here
The Case for a U.S. Cass Review
In an article (here), Lisa Selin Davis of the Boston Globe article advocates for a U.S. equivalent of the U.K.'s Cass Review (see above). While Davis highlights a path toward depolarization and better understanding, reader responses reveal a landscape fraught with contention. Critics argue that conservative agendas have irreparably toxified the discussion (I would say the left did, too -maybe unintentionally), often overshadowing the needs of transgender youth with political rhetoric.
More Pink Slips at the Trevor Project
As someone working hard to get a non-profit to take off the ground, I find it a bit demoralizing to see how the Trevor Project did so well until it did so poorly. The organization, once on top of Gay Inc., has again thinned its herd, letting go of 6% of its staff. This new slice of downsizing, hot on the heels of last year's 12% cut, has diluted the office coffee and the spirits of those brewing it. Amid whispers of financial juggling and union tiffs, the staff's morale is at its lowest. Read more on the Blade.
Trans participation in Sports: blanketing anything is a bad idea.
A pivotal study funded by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on transgender athletes' physical performance looked at the differences between transgender and cisgender athletes across several parameters, including strength, power, and aerobic capacity. Conducted by Professor Yannis Pitsiladis and his colleagues, the study involved 75 participants, including 23 trans women and 12 trans men, who underwent rigorous testing in laboratory settings. Results indicate significant disparities in specific cardiovascular and strength tests, particularly noting that trans women generally showed less lower-body strength than their cisgender counterparts. Published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the findings caution against the imposition of blanket sports bans on transgender athletes without comprehensive research. This progressive research hopes to influence the policies of sports federations toward a more nuanced and scientifically backed approach.
Queering the Boardroom
Key appointments/departures
In recent boardroom shifts, Laurie J. Olson has announced her departure from Quanterix Corporation’s Board, effective June 3. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Legal Defense & Educational Fund welcomes Kenji Yoshino as a new board member. Sunnova Energy International Inc. will see Mark Longstreth step down from the Board effective May 15.
A Gender Equality Lesson for LGBTQ+ Diversity
I was reading this "Directors & Boards" article this week and was struck by these statistics. It won't be until 2111 that we see equal representation of women as CEOs globally. The United States has progressed in gender equality in Business, with women holding over 30% of Fortune 500 board seats. However, the pace could be faster globally, with women chairing only 8.4% of boards and making up just 6% of CEOs worldwide.
Association’s webinar on the office of the CEO
The Association of LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors hosted a webinar titled "Navigating Board & CEO Synergy," on April 12th with experts Mackenzie Lee (Cedar) and Glenn Ramsdell (Chewy), who highlighted the vital roles of chief of staff in navigating board dynamics and fostering inclusive leadership. 🏢 Watch the full video here.
The Gay Business
Pride: tackle corporate “queer fear”
We are told the movement in the U.S. is winning, but DEI has become a bad word, as happened to “Woke” a few years ago. It is baffling that in 2024, to value consciousness or diversity of thoughts makes you as dangerous as a communist was in the 1950s. Can anything in corporate engagement be salvaged at this point ahead of Pride? Are we going to see companies scale down their engagement for fear of being perceived as champions of a diversity agenda that has become radioactive? Join an upcoming webinar on Tuesday, May 21st (14:00 - 18:30 BST): “Welcome to Prepare for Pride: how to Tackle any queer fear in your campaigns and Communications.”
The semi-cultural desk
Regal Revelations: A Decade of Love and Activism
Who doesn’t like a gay Prince? In the forthcoming memoir "A Royal Commitment: Ten Years of Marriage and Activism," our friend H.R.H Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil and H.H. Prince deAndre chart their audacious journey through love and loud advocacy. Pre-order here.
Talking about Royals: Palm Royale
I finished Ripley. I am out of Mary & George episodes. So I have been watching Palm Royale on Apple TV+ with Ricky Martin, and you should too:
"Out for Biden-Harris"
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are courting the LGBTQ+ community with "Out for Biden-Harris"” Yet Jill Biden was again back at HRC’s annual retreat last week, reiterating the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to equality and underscoring the stakes of the 2024 election. You know me, I hate to criticize, but Jill would make better use of her time campaigning and fundraising for LGBTQ+ candidates throughout the country than preaching to the choir in DC.
Donald Trump is a bully. He is dangerous to the LGBTQ community. To our families. To our country. And we cannot let him win. We have to fight like hell. Today. Tomorrow. And all the days after. Until the polls close on November 5. Until Joe and Kamala have won another term.
"Grindr's Gayborhood Go-Getter"
Axios reports that Grindr wants to become the "gayborhood in your pocket." Grindr's CEO, George Arison, envisions a queer cosmos beyond the usual "wanna hook up?" Users can now globe-trot within the app, seeking LGBTQ+-friendly docs or tapping into tailored services.
US LGBTQ+ movement in LaLaLand
GLAAD’s CEO welcomed HRC’s CEO to the Times 100 list today: “In no short order, [Kelley] has ignited innovative campaigns that uplift the most marginalized in our community, including queer people of color and transgender people.” This week, HRC released this video on the Owasso High School inclusion climate, which got 108 views with paid visibility on social platforms. SKE had a rather creepy interview about X.
The Gay Agenda
April 24th: Groundbreaker Awards Dinner
I look forward to seeing you at Housing Works' (I serve on their Board) Design on a Dime dinner next week. It is an opportunity to shop while associating with the gay who’s who. You can still buy a ticket here.
April 26th: Maxine Waters at Dinner honoring Mixners memory
The Institute of Current World Affairs (ICWA) and the Association of LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors are hosting an intimate dinner next week at the Cosmos Club to remember David Mixner. Representative Maxine Waters - with whom Mixner spent a night in jail during protests in California and who was the first Congressperson to accept gay contributions - will give the keynote, introduced by Semafor’s Steve Clemons.
May 30th: See you at the Liberty Awards
Join me at the 2024 Liberty Awards National Dinner on May 30 at The Glasshouse in New York City. The event honors civil rights leader and 82nd U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr., and features Lambda Legal clients Lisa and Jeffrey Stanton from PFLAG v. Abbott. For tickets and partnership information, visit the Lambda Legal website.
I have to run and take advantage of my guest pass to remind my World Bank colleagues that I am still alive and there is a post-Bank life. As we wrap up another edition, remember: While the road to equality often feels like a high-stakes game of Snakes and Ladders, every ladder climbed is a victory, and every snake dodged is a lesson. See you next week with more updates, insights, and reasons to keep pushing forward. Keep fighting the good fight: our humor, creativity, and pen (and voice) are mightier than the sanctimony of our opponents.