Fabrice Houdart | A weekly newsletter on LGBTQ+ Equality

This week: Orban, Erdogan and the Queer partisans, “Adolescence” and toxic masculinity, Vivian Jenna Wilson, Scott Presler, “Mariliendre”, concerns around Pride and much more…

Welcome to the 243rd issue of this newsletter, where this week’s theme seems to be: “LGBTQ+ Visibility, for better or worse.” From Budapest to Pennsylvania, from political institutions to the Netflix algorithm, LGBTQ+ people have no choice but to move forward. Going back in the closet, or some version of the closet, is not an option. In Hungary and Turkey, queer communities refuse to be erased, marching and organizing courageously even as government's crackdown becomes scarier. In boardrooms and policy circles, LGBTQ+ leaders are adapting to new pressures from both sides of the Atlantic. You are doing amazing and I am proud of you.

This week: Orban, Erdogan and the Queer partisans, “Adolescence” and toxic masculinity, Vivian Jenna Wilson, Scott Presler, “Mariliendre”, concerns around Pride and much more…

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Global News

Hungary: The Ban Sparks a Movement

Despite the Hungarian government’s sweeping ban on Pride events I mentioned last week, LGBTQ+ activists and allies are refusing to back down. The law, signed on March 18 and fast-tracked through parliament, forbids public gatherings that include queer symbols or gender non-conformity—moves critics liken to a "Putinization" of Hungary. As CNN reports, Budapest Pride organizers remain defiant, declaring they will proceed with the June 28 march. Meanwhile, DW highlights the chilling double standard: while neo-Nazis march freely in Budapest, queer Hungarians now face surveillance, fines, and erasure. The ban, supposedly in the name of “child protection,” is once again a political diversion amid growing scandals and plummeting support for Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Turkey: Pride And Protests

As Turkey enters its seventh night of unrest following the arrest of Istanbul's mayor and opposition leader Ekrem İmamoğlu, the LGBTQ+ community is on the frontlines of resistance. Once again, young people—queer, feminist, and defiant—are flooding the streets, echoing the spirit of the 2013 Gezi Park protests where LGBTQ+ visibility became an unignorable force. President Erdogan, who has branded both peaceful protests and Pride as “degenerate,” now finds himself facing a generation that, as one protester told the BBC, has “nothing left to lose.” While investors panic and the Turkish lira tumbles, queer Turks are partisans.

Madagascar: Emerging Queer Voices

76Crimes had a piece on Madagascar. this week Queer Place Madagascar is carving out safe havens in a difficult context. Operating under the radar in the capital, Tananarive, the group organizes monthly workshops and produces a podcast, Feon Queer ("Queer Voices"), offering LGBTQ+ Malagasies a platform to share their stories and push back against stigma. While public Pride remains too risky, indoor celebrations and partnerships with regional allies in Mauritius, Réunion, and South Africa show a growing network of resilience.

UK: Adolescence and The Spectrum of Toxic Masculinity

​​As a father of two twelve-year-olds, watching Adolescence was deeply disturbing—but necessary. The record-breaking Netflix series unpacks the explosive cocktail of toxic masculinity, online radicalization, and emotional repression through the story of Jamie, a 13-year-old boy who commits an unspeakable act. While the series centers on straight boys, it powerfully illustrates a truth queer communities have long understood: that homophobia and rigid gender norms hurt straight men. The same culture that polices femininity and shames queer identity also deprives boys like Jamie of emotional literacy, connection and authenticity.

Europe: Warning for LGBTQ+ Travelers to the U.S.

The Netherlands has officially tightened its travel advisory for LGBTQ+ citizens heading to the United States, citing a shift in “laws and customs” under the second Trump administration. Germany, Finland, and soon Belgium are following suit, a quiet diplomatic indictment. See in Politico.

Spain: An LGBTQ+ Americans Exodus ?

According to this France24 segment, some queer Americans are saying adiós to the culture wars and hola to sangria, siestas, and Mariliendre (see in the semi-cultural desk section).

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US News

Elon Musk’s Tweets About His Trans Daughter

This week, U.S. Government Top Adviser’s Elon Musk claimed, “My son, Xavier, died. He was killed by the woke mind virus,” referring to his daughter Vivian Jenna Wilson, who transitioned in 2022 and now lives in Japan. Musk’s statement, which frames her gender identity as a death and labels it a cultural threat, is alarming for a thousand reasons. However, Vivian’s response on Instagram was great.

D.C.’s First LGBTQ+ Seniors Home

That is THE uplifting news item in this newsletter. Savor it. The nation's capital has a home where LGBTQ+ elders can age with dignity, pride, and community. Mary’s House for Older Adults—D.C.'s first LGBTQ+-affirming residence for seniors—is now ready to welcome its first residents. The space features 15 single-occupancy units and more than 5,000 square feet of communal areas including a quiet room, terrace, art space, and exercise room. With rents starting under $900 and services tailored to LGBTQ/SGL adults over 62, you can visit MarysHouseDC.org for info and applications.

WorldPride: Is Security An Issue?

There is a lot of uncertainty around WorldPride 2025 as I mentioned last week. Now LGBTQ+ bar owners are raising urgent concerns about safety and support. As the city braces for millions of visitors, venues like Trade, Number 9, and Pitchers warn that without funding, staffing, or coordinated security plans, their spaces could become vulnerable. While official events will be well-policed, smaller queer-owned establishments fear they’ll be left to manage unprecedented crowds on their own. See in The Blade.

NYC Pride 2025 Theme Announced: Rise Up: Pride in Protest

NYC Pride has unveiled its 2025 theme: Rise Up: Pride in Protest. “Together, we march on,” the announcement declares. More info here.

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Queering the Boardroom

April 9th Webinar: Journey to the Boardoom

On April 9 at 3 PM EST, the Association of LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors will host am webinar featuring newly appointed LGBTQ+ board members. The conversation will spotlight trailblazers Caroline Angoorly, Holden Lee and Richard Socarides as they reflect on what it takes to land a board seat—and why representation in corporate governance matters. Whether you're eyeing your first board role or thinking of adding a new one to your portfolio, register 👉here.

Board Composition Disclosures In Canada And The US

This week, two articles on Board Diversity caught my eye: a Harvard Law School's analysis and recent guidance from Borden Ladner Gervais LLP. The U.S. is walking back expectations for transparency, while Canada moves in the opposite direction. Proposed regulations for federally regulated financial institutions, along with existing disclosure mandates under the CBCA, reflect a continued commitment to tracking representation—including LGBTQ+ individuals—on corporate boards and in executive leadership.

LGBTQ+ Boardroom Moves to Watch

Jacinto J. Hernandez joins the board of Coterra Energy. Cassandra John becomes board member at the Coalition for Green Capital. Meanwhile, Tracy S. Harris has exited the board of the Council of Institutional Investors.

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The Gay Business

Will there be money for Pride 2025?

The NYTimes has a piece today indicating that with many corporate sponsors rushing to hide, Pride might have a budget issue. Hopefully, the anti-corporate participation crowd will fund the shortfall.

GPP Helps LGBTQ+ Funding Stay Afloat Amid Massive Cuts

The Global Philanthropy Project (GPP) planned ahead of development cuts affecting LGBTQ+ organizations. In early 2024, GPP launched “Fund Our Futures,” securing over $100 million to sustain queer movements worldwide. Their early action was a lifeline: with U.S. government support slashed and European allies like the Netherlands and Sweden also pulling back, many LGBTQ+ organizations are left in survival mode. GPP’s strategic foresight and collaborative approach ensured that money kept flowing even when hope didn’t. See in AP.

Disney Shareholders Reject Anti-LGBTQ+ Proposal

In a decisive 99% vote, Disney shareholders shut down a proposal to sever ties with the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index. While this does not prevent Disney from quietly scaling back its inclusion initiatives, this overwhelming rejection is a warning shot to companies going overboard to appease anti-LGBTQ+ pressures. With demographic shifts making younger, more inclusive generations a dominant economic force, businesses that backpedal on equality may find themselves on the wrong side of both history and market trends. Read more in Variety.

The $5 Billion Price Tag of Intolerance in East Africa

A new report by Open for Business reveals the staggering economic cost of LGBTQ+ discrimination in East Africa—up to $5 billion annually across Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania. Marginalization of queer communities is driving up healthcare and policing costs, while cutting into productivity and talent retention. Uganda alone is estimated to lose $2.4 billion per year following its extreme anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, while Kenya could face an even steeper price—$7.8 billion—if it passes the proposed “Family Protection” bill. The numbers are backed by data: a one-point increase on the F&M Global Barometer of Gay Rights corresponds with a 0.9% rise in GDP per capita. In other words, equality isn’t just the right thing—it’s the smart thing. Read more via Bloomberg.

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Semi-cultural desk

Grindr Allegations Rock Washington Republican at Town Hall

At a recent town hall in Washington’s 5th congressional district, Republican Rep. Michael Baumgartner faced unexpected scrutiny when an attendee questioned him about alleged use of the gay dating app Grindr. The confrontation—captured in a viral video shared on Reddit’s r/PublicFreakout (See here) caught Baumgartner off guard. He neither confirmed nor denied the claim, instead dismissing it as a “personal attack.”

Kennedy Center’s Ad Ignites Comment Section

When the Kennedy Center proudly posted Friday on Facebook that it is “a space where everyone... is welcome,” it opened the floodgates of Facebook fury. “This must be an April Fool’s joke,” one commenter quipped, while another asked, “When does Kid Rock’s residency start?”. Others mourned the institution’s fall from cultural grace, declaring, “See you in four years,” and likening it to “Alt Kennedy Center.” The internet does not disappoint.

The Unlikely Queer Legacy of Hooters

In a guest essay in The New York Times, writer Peter Rothpletz reflects on an experience many gay men share but rarely name: the well-meaning, masculinity-enforcing lunch at Hooters. Framed by fathers or grandfathers as rites of passage into heterosexual manhood, these meals often became something entirely different—a subtle site of queer recognition and unexpected kindness. Waitresses, often stereotyped in pop culture, emerge here as low-key queer allies, clocking the kid who doesn't quite fit and offering the kind of gentle validation that can reverberate for decades.

What to watch? Mariliendre

Premiering this week, Mariliendre is Spain’s first major LGBTQ+ musical series. Produced by queer TV royalty Los Javis (Veneno, Drag Race España), the six-episode dramedy follows Meri Román, a faded diva of Madrid’s Chueca nightlife scene, as she reconnects with estranged friends and unearths long-buried family secrets. See the trailer below and this article in Variety.

What to Read: How to Stand Up to a Dictator

I just ordered a copy of Maria Ressa’s How to Stand Up to a Dictator. The Nobel Peace Prize-winning journalist’s memoir is part call to arms, part survival manual for anyone fighting disinformation, digital authoritarianism, or the slow erosion of democracy—whether in Manila, Warsaw, or Tallahassee. Ressa, co-founder of Rappler, chronicles her transformation from CNN reporter to state enemy number one under Duterte, all while pulling back the curtain on how social media platforms have turbocharged global authoritarianism. Read it. Share it. Annotate it. Then pass it along.

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Coming and Going

Demna Takes the Reins at Gucci

Demna has been named the new artistic director of Gucci, leaving his decade-long post at Balenciaga to take over from Sabato De Sarno this July. Renowned for his bold, avant-garde aesthetic, Demna is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the Italian fashion house. Gucci’s CEO, Stefano Cantino, expressed confidence in Demna’s ability to honor the brand’s legacy while driving it toward a new era of cultural relevance. This appointment comes amid a period of significant change in luxury fashion, with recent leadership shifts at Celine, Maison Margiela, Chanel, Dior Homme, and Givenchy.

Scott Presler

Do you know who Pressler is? I did not until this profile in The Wall Street Journal. Meet Scott Presler—a 6'5" gay MAGA activist with 11,000 unread texts, a signature blowout, and a singular mission: to flip Pennsylvania red and crown JD Vance president in 2028. Presler has cultivated a loyal following among evangelicals who, as the WSJ notes, “might not ordinarily champion a gay man,” but reward his tireless campaigning and Trump-world loyalty.

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Well that’s it for this week. I forgot to comment on White Lotus but I am sure you are aware of the season 6 fireworks (I liked that piece on the WL’s Book Club). As we adapt to our new context, funding evaporates, and institutions wobble, queer resilience is taking on new forms—quiet, defiant, strategic. I like it. My follow-up piece on Queer Sovereignty over the week-end triggered many comments: one felt I was undermining ILGA (not my intention) while a straight ally worried I advocated for segregation (I am not). I really enjoy the conversation so please reach out if you have any thoughts.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this newsletter are solely my own and do not necessarily reflect those of any organizations, institutions, or individuals mentioned.