Fabrice Houdart | A weekly newsletter on LGBTQ+ Equality

This week: France's left-wing “victory,” the UK's Labour landslide, Cameroon’s Nasty King, the Vatican’s bold move, a trans murder in PA, the suffering of JVN and Derek Blasberg, and much more...

Welcome to the 198th edition of this newsletter. As the political landscape continues to shift, our focus must remain sharp. Recent elections in France and the UK show that while victories can be celebrated, the far right is gaining ground, and we - meaning LGBTQ+ people and other potential scapegoat groups - must quickly find new narratives and new strategies. This week, we delve into stories from around the globe, from the unexpected coming out of Chantal Biya’s daughter in Cameroon to Karma - of all things - catching up with Viganò.  

This week: France's left-wing “victory,” the UK's Labour landslide, Cameroon’s Nasty King, the Vatican’s bold move, a trans murder in PA, the suffering of JVN and Derek Blasberg, and much more…

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Global News

France: on a sauvé les meubles

It is a miraculous victory for the left sure but not a panacea, as it hides a dire reality. The first party in France is Le Pen’s Far Right Rassemblement National, with 143 seats. You can read that line again. It’s a disgrace Le Pen got that many seats, but at least she won’t be able to do anything with it. RN is followed by Macron’s Renaissance (98 out of the center’s 163 seats), then Melanchon’s (far left) La France Insoumise with 71 out of an overall 180 seats for the left. Macron cannot govern, and it will be hard for the left, too; you can expect political turmoil for the next two years. The left coalition is broad and a last-minute addition of several heteroclite parties including … the Communist party, well what’s left of it. The question remains: is this situation only a reprieve until the presidential elections? I feel there are three lessons learned that should guide us. First, and you, my wealthy reader, won’t like to hear this, there is no point in voting progressive while accumulating more wealth than “reasonable” (the Anant Amanbani wedding being the other cover story of the week); it is hypocritical and contradictory. Second, change is the only constant; embracing an evolving nation’s identity - even finding joy in it - is the best antidote to fascism. Third, whether in Brittany, Essex, or Kansas, happiness is an underrated political project. 

UK: Landslide for Labour, but Far-Right Gains

In a stunning electoral victory, Labour secured a landslide win, heralding a return to progressive politics in the UK. However, not unlike France, the results also saw the far-right Reform Party projected to gain 13 seats, a significant leap from their previous zero, raising concerns about the rise of ultra-right ideologies.

Cameroon: Brenda Biya Comes Out as Lesbian 🇨🇲 🏳️‍🌈

I LOVE this story because I have always been obsessed with Brenda’s mother, Chantal Biya (learn about Chantal and be amazed too). Brenda Biya, daughter of Cameroon's long-time President Paul Biya and Chantal, came out this week. Given that her mother screams LGBTQ+ icon (and corruption I suspect), it's no shock that Brenda has set the internet ablaze by posting a photo kissing Brazilian model Layyons Valença on Instagram with the caption, “I’m crazy about you & I want the world to know,” and a heart emoji. In a country where same-sex relationships are illegal, this is a huge deal. Brenda, a musician known as King Nasty (also my nickname from high school incidentally), now living abroad, has received a flood of support. Check out more on The Advocate.

India: Supreme Court and the Same-Sex Marriage Review

I have a weak spot for India, so I was disappointed that the Supreme Court has denied an open court hearing for pleas seeking a review of its previous decision against legalizing same-sex marriage. Last year, a five-judge bench led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud ruled that there is "no unqualified right" to marriage except those recognized by law. The court, however, emphasized the rights of queer individuals to access goods and services without discrimination and proposed measures like safe houses and hotlines for protection. The review pleas will be considered in chambers on July 10. Justice Sanjiv Khanna has recused him from the hearings citing personal reasons, no one knows the reason why. For more details, read here.

Vatican: Viganò’s excommunication 

Well, the Vatican has finally shown the door to Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, who’s been excommunicated for “schism” after refusing to recognize Pope Francis's authority. It’s a euphemism; Viganò, who served as the Vatican’s ambassador to the U.S. from 2011 to 2016, called  Pope Francis “a servant of Satan”. What we call a schism-sized tantrum. His other biggest hits include inviting anti-gay Kentucky official Kim Davis to meet the Pope in 2015 (remember?) and denouncing the blessing of same-sex relationships.  He also received a bizarre fan letter to Trump in 2020, praising him as a defender of Christian values. Because Trump knows about Christian values 🙄It took ten years, but Viganò got what was coming to him: I would say, “Karma is a b*tch,” but I think this is another religion. For more, read here.

Haitian Evangelicals Mobilize Against Penal Code Changes

If there is one place in the world that has much bigger fishes to fry than homosexuals, it is Haiti. January was the most violent month in over two years, with over 1,100 people killed, injured, or kidnapped and more than 5,000 homicides reported last year. Yet, Haitian evangelicals are rallying against changes to the penal code, which would include provisions against hate crimes. Who doesn’t like hate crimes? This is adding insults to injury for a community already besieged by endemic violence and social ostracism. Moïse Manoël-Florisse highlights the dire situation as activists struggle for safety and recognition in a country teetering on the edge of lawlessness. Evangelicals always struggle a little to get their priorities straight.

Le Monde: Homophobia as a Political Tool in the Global South

Le Monde believes that, In the Global South, homophobia has increasingly become a political instrument used to oppose Western values. Russia's long-standing anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric exemplifies this trend, where LGBTQ+ rights are portrayed as foreign impositions. Similarly, in Senegal, political figures like Ousmane Sonko depict homosexuality as a Western cultural practice rather than a universal human right. This framing has led to accusations of neocolonialism, suggesting that Western calls for tolerance are seen as attempts to corrupt local societies with foreign values. Amnesty International highlights this growing backlash against LGBTQ+ rights, noting an increase in antagonistic legislation in Africa.

It is certain that since the 2010s, the proliferation of Western laws in favor of gay marriage, the questions raised by #MeToo, and the increased visibility given to trans people have sparked negative reactions around the world.

Indonesia: Proposed Broadcasting Act Amendments

This week, CIVICUS discusses proposed changes to Indonesia’s Broadcasting Act with my friend Dédé Oetomo. The amendments aim to restrict content depicting LGBTQ+ behaviors or other so-called negative behaviors, with potential penalties including fines and license revocations. Critics argue the bill's vague wording could allow discretionary enforcement, curbing freedom of expression and significantly impacting LGBTQ+ activism. This legislative move is part of a broader trend of increasing religious fundamentalism and regression in LGBTQ+ rights in the country which used to be comparatively progressive.

Also, read about the Moroccan discussion on same-sex marriage and UK Suella Braverman's experiencing Karma too…

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US News

Biden: a lot of hand-wrenching for nothing

Sentimentality, betrayal, conspiracy, endless references to “Weekend at Bernie’s” —the Biden situation is not a good look for the Democratic elite. The apparatchiks are said to have convinced the President that if he stepped down, it would hurt his legacy when obviously it is the opposite. Biden would be remembered as the president who gave up his position to a more favorable candidate so an evil one could not win. What a waste! My humble analysis is that it has more to do with an entourage hell-bent on making sure their clan gets another four years of goodies rather than considering the well-being of America—Elite capture at its worst.

LGBTQ+ congresspeople clash over course of action

While Rep. Mark Takano and Rep. Angie Craig courageously asked Biden to step down, Rep. Ritchie Torres, who apparently relishes in the nickname “Ritchie Torah”, called his public doubts about President Joe Biden’s reelection bid “deeply self-destructive.“ Torres, an astute strategist when it comes to his political future, cautions that such mixed messaging could backfire if Biden remains the nominee. He emphasized the importance of unity, stating, “Weakening a weakened nominee seems like a losing strategy.”

GOP Softens Language on Same-Sex Marriage but Remains Anti-Trans

The GOP’s new platform draft no longer condemns the Supreme Court’s 2015 decision on same-sex marriage, instead emphasizing traditional family values and ending policies that “punish families.” However, the platform continues to target the trans community, promising to ban taxpayer funding for sex change surgeries, keep men out of women’s sports, and reverse Biden’s Title IX updates. While some see this as a strategic soft-pedaling, skepticism remains about the GOP’s true intentions. For more, read here.

A horrendous Trans Teen's Killing in Pennsylvania

The local community is reeling after the horrific murder of 14-year-old Pauly A. Likens Jr., a transgender teen from Pennsylvania. Pauly's dismembered remains were found near Shenango River Lake, and DaShawn Watkins, 29, has been charged with first-degree murder and other crimes. Authorities allege the two met via the dating app Grindr. Local activists are demanding the crime be prosecuted as a hate crime, although such charges are not being pursued. The Shenango Valley LGBTQIA+ Alliance organizes a vigil to honor Pauly, while the community and supporters rally for justice.

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Queering the Boardroom

Key Appointments/Departures

Michel Feaster has been appointed Chief Product Officer at Ironclad, Inc., effective July 8. Susan E. Arnold was removed from The Carlyle Group’s website as of July 1. 

LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors Canada Rings TMX Closing Bell

Jane Griffith, Executive Director of LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors Canada, on the Board I am honored to serve, rang the closing bell at the TMX yesterday (see here) Jane thanked Mark Bonham, a fellow Board Member, for his unwavering support. The LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors Canada Association has been a force for change. It is part of a coordinated effort with our Association and ALBEI in Australia to improve LGBTQ+ representation globally in the top echelons of Business.

Corporate Governance Forum: November 7 in New York

Join the Corporate Governance Forum on November 7, 2024, in New York. This premier event provides corporate secretaries, general counsels, and in-house legal professionals the ideal platform to connect and share knowledge. See here.

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The gay business 

DEI Debate: A Professor's Legal Challenge

This week, Forbes had this poorly written piece about college professor Zack De Piero's lawsuit against Penn State and its implications for the future of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. When you read the article, you cannot disagree that so many leftists have gone off the rails. Still, it is a strange argument to say that because there are DEI “fanatics,” decades-long efforts to foster inclusive environments are over. Every movement has its crazies; the key is to ignore them.

When employers talk about race—any race––with a constant drumbeat of essentialist, deterministic, and negative language, they risk liability under federal law.

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The semi-cultural desk

The UK Reinvention of JVN

Jonathan Van Ness is trying to brush off their recent challenges - particularly the March discussion around their “rage issues” and their hair care brand – JVN Hair’s bankruptcy, by reinventing themselves across the pond. Read more on the BBC.

Oh, there's someone who's going to write an investigative takedown, exposé piece about you that isn't really based in reality, but can certainly have a lot of things taken out of context to make you look as bad as possible,'

Le chemin de croix de Derek Blasberg 

Do you know who might need a new JVN haircare mask and a fresh touch of paint? Poor Derek Blasberg after his pal Gwyneth Paltrow threw him under the bus. Being a socialite and having GI issues never mixed very well.

The Count of Monte-Cristo Returns

You know the  Dumas's classic: in 1815, the young sailor Edmond Dantès is arrested in Marseille on his wedding day for a crime he hasn’t committed. Imprisoned for 14 years in the Château d'If, he escapes, discovers a hidden treasure on the Isle of Monte Cristo, and reinvents himself as the fabulously wealthy and vengeful Count of Monte-Cristo. As someone who was wronged many times by Gaspard Caderousse-type people, I find it one of my favorite stories. Also, Eugénie Danglars is implied to be a lesbian in the book and flees Paris with her girlfriend in the end, so there is your queer angle. The new blockbuster will be in French theaters starting June 28th, with Pierre Niney as the lead.

Bisexuality as a Political Bumper Sticker for Gen Z

In a recent Airmail article which is had missed, Kat Rosenfield explores the phenomenon of bisexual identification among Generation Z, particularly among young women. Rosenfield claims that these often well-educated, city-dwelling Democrats, embrace bisexuality not just as a sexual orientation but as a political identity. According to recent Gallup polls, over 20% of Gen Z women and 6.9% of Gen Z men identify as bisexual. She attributes this trend to greater social acceptance and a redefined concept of sexual orientation that prioritizes political and social alignment over physical experiences. As Rosenfield notes, for many Gen Z individuals, identifying as queer signals progressive values and inclusivity in an era where being straight may be perceived as exclusionary or traditional.

The Art of Being Alan Cumming

Talking about bisexuality, Alan Cumming, the host of "The Traitors," opened up about his bisexual pride in a recent interview on Entertainment Weekly's annual LGBTQ+ Pride cover. Cumming discusses the challenges bisexual individuals face, the need for greater visibility, and his efforts to increase queer representation on his show. He emphasizes the importance of resisting assimilation to heteronormativity, urging the LGBTQ+ community to celebrate their differences.

Dressing like Cary Grant.

This WSJ recommendation is not a bad read for you my middle-age American gay friend who has turned athleisure into their uniform.

 Sunspel reports that sales of its Riviera polo, a trim design sported by Daniel Craig in “Casino Royale” (2006), have increased by 51% in the U.S. in the last four months, year on year.

Fabrice Houdart: aFreemason Conspirator Extraordinaire!

According to this AI-generated online conspiracy theory on kla.tv titled “The Sinister Agenda behind Transgender Ideology,” I'm part of an elaborate Freemason effort to reshape society. I am here for it, but my alleged secret network seems rather improbable -  

Netflix’s The Boyfriend – Japan’s Gay Dating Show

This Netflix show (see in The Guardian) is breaking ground in a country still grappling with LGBTQ+ acceptance (Japan is the only G-7 country without any federal form of same-sex union). The concept is charming: nine men gather in a luxury beach house outside Tokyo to explore love and friendship. As a Japanese man trapped in a (pudgy) French body it appeals to me tremendously.

Also, Julia Fox comes out and read about the golden age of lesbian cinema in the 90s…

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Coming and Going

Remembering the Legacy of Chantale Wong’s Mother

Amb. Chantale Wong, US Representative to the ADB, quickly turned into a global Ambassador for LGBTQ+ inclusion. This week, we extend our heartfelt condolences to her and her family as Chantale’s mother passed. During the Great Leap Forward, her parents made the heart-wrenching decision to smuggle her out of China to ensure her safety. Hidden in the bottom of a boat, Chantale and her grandmother reached Hong Kong, where Chantale began her path to becoming the first openly lesbian Ambassador of color for the United States and a changemaker for our community.

Alan Gemmell OBE elected to parliament

Our friend Alan Gemmell has just been elected MP! Brilliant news to have such a champion of the global queer community in Westminster. 💜

French Legislative Elections: the gays remain in power

Many gay politicians such as Franck Riester, Gabriel Attal, or…  Élisabeth Borne (just kidding, kidding) were re-elected. However, former Transport Minister Clément Beaune was eliminated in the first round of the anticipated legislative elections in Paris. Beaune received 32.78% of the votes, compared to 50.87% for Emmanuel Grégoire, the Nouveau Front populaire candidate, who was elected in the first round. In 2022, Beaune had won the 7th constituency of Paris with 50.73% of the votes in the second round.

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The Gay Agenda

Nothing. There is nothing on the gay agenda because we had a really busy few months; life is short, it is the summer, and coming September, many new battles will have to be fought. I, for one, am in the midst of “Opération slowing down”; you can see the proof here: https://www.instagram.com/fhoudart/

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Erratum

I wrote “taylor” (about a Senegalese tailor) last week—a lot. I got some messages about it. I am embarrassed, not at the Derek Blasberg level of embarassment, but I am embarrassed. I blame my Pride hangover. 

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Well, that’s it for this week. Sure, the UK and French elections constitute some relief, but only if we change our course of action; if not, it’s called “kicking the can down the road.” This morning, I was at the French consulate applying for the twins' French passports, it’s called “edging one’s bets.”