Fabrice Houdart | A weekly newsletter on LGBTQ+ Equality

This week: The Pope and Trans Care, UN lesbian week controversy, a queer Netherlands, Toyota’s COO, corporate cultural relativism, a mood shift among Democrats, the transgender clone trooper & more...

Bonjour from this week’s edition, which was written on the way back from Half Moon Bay, where I attended an enlightening tech conference. The event did not reassure me much about the AI socio-economic and elite capture perils looming, although I did hear some hopeful snippets.

This week: The Pope and Trans Care, UN lesbian week controversy, a queer Netherlands, Toyota’s COO, corporate cultural relativism, a mood shift among Democrats, the transgender clone trooper & more...

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Global news 

Russia: LGBTQ+ Community Forced Back into the Shadows

The WSJ had a piece this week about Putin’s strategy of making life unmanageable for LGBTQ+ people. Once-vibrant LGBTQ+ spaces like Moscow’s bars and clubs have closed, while many activists now face arrest and imprisonment (read this piece about a Gay official who fled). Despite official claims of non-discrimination, Russia’s deeply conservative society, empowered by these laws, has created an untenable environment for LGBTQ+ people. The fear of persecution has driven many to censor themselves, erasing any public expression of their identity in a bid for survival. The World is not ready for the waves of Pink Migration to come. 

The space for LGBTQ Russians has drastically narrowed. An entire generation who thought they would be free to live their lives as they saw fit are now left with a difficult choice—leave if they can, or go back to living in the shadows.

Vatican: Pope Urged to Reverse Position on Gender-Affirming Care

On Saturday, Pope Francis met with a dozen LGBTQ+ activists at the Vatican, where he faced calls to overturn the Catholic Church’s ban on gender-affirming care. The 80-minute private meeting, organized by the New Ways Ministry, included trans people such as Michael Sennett, a U.S. endocrinologist. Despite the Vatican’s rejection of gender-affirming care earlier this year, the Pope listened “empathetically.” Read more on NBC News.

Europe: LGBTQ+ Refugees and anti-migrants sentiments

Two weeks ago, a journalist in Foreign Policy noted that “Europe’s far right is now its establishment.” This is terrible news for LGBTQ+ refugees. In April, Synergies Migrations released a report on legal pathways for LGBTQ+ refugees in France, Germany, and Italy. The report calls on European nations to improve resettlement and sponsorship programs, provide equal family reunification rights for same-sex couples, and increase funding for refugee-led NGOs. The full report is available here.

Korea: LGBTQ+ Community Rallies for Marriage Rights

In Seoul, eleven same-sex couples are suing district offices for rejecting their marriage registrations (see here). These couples are challenging the constitutionality of the country’s current Civil Code, which excludes same-sex marriage. The plaintiffs argue that marriage equality is a matter of dignity and livelihood. This lawsuit follows a 2014 case led by filmmaker Kim Jho Gwang-soo. 

United Nations: Free & Equal Faces Backlash on Lesbian Day

The United Nations Free & Equal campaign's post celebrating International Lesbian Day (see here on X and check out the comments) turned into an unexpected (or maybe expected) controversy. The post received over 2,000 critical comments, many laden with transphobic rhetoric, accusing the United Nations of "lesbian erasure" and promoting “gender ideology.” Influential figures like JK Rowling and Martina Navratilova were part of the offensive.

Netherlands: New Data on LGBTQ+ Population

Recent data from Statistics Netherlands, based on data from the Safety Monitor 2023, a CBS study in which 182,000 people took part, reveals that 17.7% of the Dutch population identifies as LGBTQ+. The breakdown includes 11.1% identifying as bisexual, 1.8% as gay, and 0.7% as lesbian. Notably, there are more asexual women than lesbians in the country. The Netherlands is considered one of the most LGBTQIA+-friendly countries in the world. 

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US news 

Presidential elections: the Democrats' self-doubts

Democratic self-doubt is a tradition in the final stretch of the U.S. presidential race. Nerves are fraying. It might have started when Walz acknowledged on October 1st the “commonality” between the two platforms. Despite Harris maintaining a slight lead over Trump in national polls, the margin is narrower than the leads held by past Democratic candidates at this stage. Andrew Sullivan, always l’oiseau de mauvaise augure, highlighted the parallels with 2016. As fears grow, many Democrats are urging focus and voter mobilization: you can donate your last dollars here. Or you can read Peter Turchin’s take and The Crisis of Democratic Capitalism by Michael Wolf:

As President, [Trump] rejected alliances, multilateralism, international rules, science, truth, and the reality of climate change

Jennifer Finney is ready for what’s to come 

Talking about the possibility of a Trump II Presidency, author Jennifer Finney Boylan shared in the NYTimes this week why she decided to change her birth certificate after 25 years of living openly as a woman. While she once viewed the document as a historical record, the shifting legal landscape has made aligning her birth certificate with her gender identity a matter of safety. 

DNC Launches LGBTQ+ Ad Campaign for Swing States

We all know that the Trump vote is gaining momentum in our community: it’s capitalistic amnesia. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) announced its first-ever advertising campaign exclusively targeting LGBTQ+ publications in crucial swing states (see on NBCNews). Data from past elections underscore the pivotal role LGBTQ+ voters play in close races, particularly in states like Arizona and Georgia, where their turnout was crucial for Joe Biden’s victory in 2020. 

Trump has his own LGBTQ+ ad.

The Trump campaign launched an intense Military ad campaign this week. Watch here.

Gavin Grimm is broke.

This story in The Guardian struck me this week. Gavin Grimm, who at 16 won a landmark legal battle for trans youth rights, now finds himself struggling to survive at 25. Despite his pivotal victory in protecting trans students from discrimination, Grimm is facing homelessness, unemployment, and ongoing battles with his mental health. I like to remind people that Mixner died broke: there should be a fund for LGBTQ+ activists in need funded by the community.

If I maintain housing while my cat is still alive, that’s all I can really hope for. I’m prepared to face homelessness, but I just don’t want her to face it.

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Queering the Boardroom 

Counterattacking on-board diversity 

The SEC conveniently put board diversity disclosure mandates on the back burner of its rulemaking agenda, afraid of the current DEI climate. To me, this is a sign of how unconvinced progressives are of their own agenda. My view is that NASDAQ disclosures are a success story; why not expand them to all public companies? Does anybody want to whisper this to the Geithner and Kamala teams?

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The gay business

Jack Hollis, the devoted Toyota COO

Toyota’s antagonistic retreat from LGBTQ+ issues did not happen in a vacuum. “He loves to say, "I work for Jesus, but get paid by Toyota”: this opening line of a May 2024 interview with Jack Hollis, the executive vice president of Toyota North America, says it all. I am told that Hollis, based in Texas, keeps a bible in his office. The Christian right is using its market influence in the way the LGBTQ+ community pioneered before them. The community still needs to articulate why companies should remain steady.

Finance: Fearless Fund and LGBTQ+ Inclusive Finance Initiatives

One of the topics I work on at Koppa, the non-profit I co-founded this year, is LGBTQ+ inclusive finance, a moribund area. The recent closure of the Fearless Fund’s venture capital grant program for Black women following a legal battle over racial discrimination is a warning sign. This case, led by conservative activist Edward Blum (about whom I wrote before), is a good reason for your company to join our Global LGBTQ+ Inclusive Forum planned for 2025. 

Lifesciences: LGBTQ+ Seek More Inclusion in Clinical Trials

I found this article interesting. A new survey from the PAN Foundation highlights the significant interest among LGBTQ+ individuals and people of color in participating in clinical trials despite low actual participation rates. While 86% of LGBTQ+ and 83% of non-white respondents view clinical trials positively, barriers like lack of awareness and communication hinder access. 

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The Semi-cultural desk

What to watch?

I was by myself for a few days on the West Coast and watched with great pleasure Wingwomen and It’s What’s Inside? on Netflix. What struck me in the latter is how demure the movie was about inter-gender body-swapping until the end. I am finally watching The Blue Caftan, which is beautiful. Also, Luke Evans stars in Weekend in Taipei.

Pierre et Gilles: A Radiant Nostalgia of Queer Art

Pierre et Gilles have a new exhibition in Paris this month titled “Nuit électrique,”  which was featured in Paris Match. It reinterprets iconic figures like Marie Stuart and Charles Trenet, who I had no idea was gay until I read the article.

Disney’s Transgender Clone Trooper Sparks Galactic Eye Rolls

Disney introduced a transgender clone trooper named “Sister” in Star Wars: The Secrets of the Clone Troopers. The 32-page book features a male clone who identifies as female, complete with armor in the colors of the transgender flag. As you can imagine, not everybody is happy about it.

Stonewall Reflections: Lucian Truscott and Sean Strub 

Listen to the conversation (below) between Lucian Truscott IV, the journalist who covered the Stonewall riots for The Village Voice, and my friend, the very wise activist Sean Strub. 

A Strange Bedfellow Fundraiser

The Log Cabin Republicans hosted a fundraiser for Donald Trump on October 9th in Pennsylvania. Matt Gaetz and Aaron Schock attended the event.

LGBTQ+ Love Stories in US Weekly

My flight back to NYC was endless, so I read gossip magazines, which still tend to be uber-straight. Yet, I learned that Rebel Wilson and Ramona Agruma tied the knot in Sardinia, and Colton Underwood and Jordan C. Brown welcomed their son, Bishop, via surrogate. 

Trans-MMA Fighter Alana McLaughlin on Overcoming Societal Pressures

In a recent Newsweek piece, Alana McLaughlin, a trans-MMA fighter, shared her experiences with societal expectations and the challenges of being a trans athlete. Read the full article in Newsweek.

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Coming and going

Become an Open For Business trustee. 

Open for Business, where I serve as an advisor to the Board, is actively searching for new trustees, specifically a Chair of the People and Operations Committee and a Trustee with expertise in finance, charity governance/law, or fundraising. OfB is the global LGBTQ+ business platform CEOs and multinational companies trust to advance global LGBTQ+ equality. The deadline is October 30. 

LGBTQ+ Trailblazer Women To Be Elected in Congress

A record number of LGBTQ+ women are running for Congress in 2024, with several positioned to break new ground. Delaware’s Sarah McBride is set to become the first transgender member of Congress, while Julie Johnson in Texas could be the first openly gay representative from the South. Washington’s Emily Randall aims to be the first openly LGBTQ+  Latina member, and Alison Esposito in New York may become the first openly gay Republican woman in Congress. See Punchbowl News.

Farewell to Ratan Tata

India mourns the loss of Sir Ratan Tata, the esteemed former chairman of the Tata Group, who passed away on October 9th. Known for his visionary leadership and philanthropy, Tata's contributions reshaped Indian industry. I was always fascinated by his friendship with Shantanu Naidu, who is, of course, heartbroken.

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The Gay Agenda

October 17th: Athlete Ally Gala

The Athlete Ally Action Awards will take place tomorrow in New York City. It celebrates those driving LGBTQIA+ inclusion in sports. This year’s honorees include Olympian Nikki Hiltz, NFL trailblazer R.K. Russell, and the Tufts Athlete Ally Campus Chapter. 

November 13th: Housing Works’ Fashion for Action

As a proud board member of Housing Works, I invite you to the 21st annual Fashion for Action fundraiser from November 13-16. This event offers a chance to shop high-end fashion while supporting a critical cause. We’re seeking donations of menswear and accessories and sponsorships to amplify our efforts. It’s a cause close to my heart: homelessness and drug addiction are enduring issues in NYC. 

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Well, that’s it for this week. In the past month or so, the Association hosted four dinners across the US and its Annual Summit, and I attended two conferences. I feel a bit spent: I neglected my garden, bicycle, and children. I look forward to splitting the next few weeks between NYC and DC, attending some of Eitan’s football games, and taking the twins trick-or-treating despite my aversion to Halloween. See you next week.