Fabrice Houdart | A weekly newsletter on LGBTQ+ Equality
This week: Georgia’s anti-LGBTQ+ bill stalls, FPÖ, Vox and the axis of deplorables, LGBTQ+ lens to climate change, the passing of Gavin Creel, Justin Vivian Bond receives a MacArthur grant & much more
Welcome to this week’s edition, live from the West Coast, where the Association of LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors will host two events this week. There is only one more month before election day in the US, after which we can hopefully shift our attention and resources (fundraising in election years is always a nightmare) to what truly matters. Between the worsening of the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, deadly natural disasters, and the pace of Artificial Intelligence progress, the world needs to focus. We also have many opportunities to redirect our energy towards advancing LGBTQ+ rights, climate advocacy, and elevating our voices in cultural and corporate spaces.
This week: Georgia’s anti-LGBTQ+ bill stalls, FPÖ, Vox and the axis of deplorables, LGBTQ+ lens to climate change, the passing of Gavin Creel, Justin Vivian Bond receives a MacArthur grant, and much more…
Global news
Georgia’s President Blocks Anti-LGBTQ Law
Georgia’s President, Salome Zourabichvili, has refused to sign a bill restricting LGBTQ+ rights, sending it back to parliament instead. The bill, introduced by the ruling Georgian Dream party, proposes banning same-sex marriage, adoption by LGBTQ+ couples, public support for LGBTQ+ individuals, and gender-affirming care. The legislation, seen as an attempt to gain favor with conservative voters ahead of elections, mirrors similar restrictions in Russia. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze reacted angrily:
The fact that Salome Zourabichvili did not stand on the side of protecting traditional and family values, not on the side of protecting the interests of minors, but on the side of pseudo-liberal propaganda, once again shows what political choice this person made and what forces [she] is governed by,
Austria: a Far-Right Win
Austria’s far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) secured its first national election win last week, riding on economic conditions and immigration policies. This victory also raises serious concerns for LGBTQ+ rights. The FPÖ has historically been hostile to LGBTQ+ issues, avoiding direct reference in its manifesto but showing its stance through rhetoric and policy positions. Read more in the Post.
France: the government rightfully scrutinized over anti-LGBTQ+ past
This week, Le Figaro, discussing the new French government, asked whether having voted against same-sex marriage in 2013 should disqualify someone from holding a ministry: I’d say yes if one is not repentant enough. Bruno Retailleau, the very conservative, catholic French Minister of the Interior, seems incurable, for example. He made highly misinformed, insulting, and damaging statements regarding trans identity. Completely uneducated on the topic, he suggested that trans people are homosexuals who do not accept themselves and that LGBTQ+ civil society is made of “con artists” pushing young people to transition en masse. Watch his misguided remarks below.
Spain: right-wing party funded by Hungarian Bank
Spain’s far-right political party, Vox, has confirmed receiving a €9.2 million loan from Hungary’s MBH Bank, closely linked to Orbán. The funds were used to finance their 2023 parliamentary and municipal election campaigns. This loan highlights the international network of collaboration between far-right and authoritarian regimes that Anne Applebaum describes as “Autocracy Inc.” Vox’s spokesperson justified the loan by stating that no Spanish bank was willing to provide funding. This kind of funding echoes previous support extended to France’s Marine Le Pen.
Southeast Asia: Open for Business makes the case for greater inclusion
The latest report from Open for Business, "The Economic Case for LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Southeast Asia," was launched last Thursday in Singapore in partnership with Q Chamber, the LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce. The report estimates that LGBTQ+ discrimination costs Singapore between USD 876 million and 2.04 billion annually. The methodology focuses on effects on health services, brain drain, and wage disparities. The same goes for the broader region, where inclusive policies could attract more talent, improve health outcomes, and bolster international reputation. See the full report here.
Climate Change: getting Queer People in the mix
At the UN LGBTQ+ event, wearing my Koppa hat last week, I told the SOGIE Independent Expert he should write on the interconnection between LGBTQ+ human rights and climate change. He responded he might need some “convincing.” I identified four topics to explore. First, the undisturbed pinkwashing efforts of the worst polluters: many of the 100% on the HRC CEI have horrendous grades on environmental indexes. Secondly, there is a lack of awareness in the community: by marginalizing LGBTQ+ people in the sector, we have failed to enroll them in climate-related efforts. Third, access to climate finance: again, LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs are getting the shorthand of the stick despite their creativity and ingeniosity. Fourth, environmental challenges disproportionately affect marginalized communities. Out for Sustainability (Out4S) is leading the charge in merging LGBTQI+ advocacy with climate justice, building resilience and environmental equity specifically by and for queer communities. See here: Out4S Newsletter.
Campaigning: Using AI-assisted focus groups
Adopting a scientific approach to our messaging is the way to go. Too often, LGBTQ+ organizations throw whatever feels good to them at the wall, hoping it will stick. This week, SOGI campaigns posted about the added value of AI in organizing mass focus groups. Researchers can generate questions, analyze transcripts, and identify patterns, saving time and revealing trends across multiple focus groups. Despite challenges like potential biases and privacy concerns, AI-assisted focus groups offer a promising, cost-effective alternative.
U.S. News
Trump’s trans ad
The Trump Campaign released an anti-transgender ad. The 30-second ad featuring the long-forgotten Sam Brinton in a dress that they actually owned (I hope they were paid royalties) has been running in various states, including heavy rotation in Texas and Michigan. I shared some talking points with the Harris-Walz campaign in August. I hope they use them.
Prisons: the debate around gender identity
On this topic - also raised in the ad above, this month, The Economist sounded displeased with California's SB132, which allows inmates to be housed based on self-declared gender identity. Since 2013, over 100 applications from male inmates seeking transfer to women's prisons have been reviewed. The Economist claims that Advocacy groups like TLC and ACLU are divided, with some seeking to block data on transfers, while others claim the policy’s necessity for respecting transgender rights.
Health: Greater Risk of Poor Brain Health and Minority Stress
The American public might be tired of hearing about it, but LGBTQ+ people are the ones who are genuinely exhausted from the price tag that comes with being who they are. A new study featured on CNN highlights the disparities in brain health outcomes for LGBTQ+ adults, indicating higher risks for dementia, stroke, and late-life depression. Published in Neurology, this large-scale study involving over 393,000 participants underscores the impact of “minority stress” — caused by discrimination and societal stigma — as a likely factor for these disparities.
A Link Between Anti-Trans Laws and Youth Suicide Attempts
As reported on NBC, a study published in Nature Human Behavior by The Trevor Project reveals that anti-transgender laws have directly caused a significant increase in suicide attempts among trans and nonbinary youth. Surveying over 60,000 young people (ages 13-24) across states that enacted anti-trans legislation, the study found an increase in suicide attempts by up to 72%.
Secret Service represented at Out & Equal
Fox News is unhappy that the U.S. Secret Service is sending staff to the Out & Equal Workplace Summit at Disney World, scheduled for October 7-10. It quotes American Principles Project President Terry Schilling to argue that the timing is poor, given recent agency failures and staffing shortages. The Secret Service subsequently clarified that only two administrative staff members, not law enforcement agents, were attending.
Queering the boardroom
October 6-9: Heading to the 2024 NACD Directors Summit
For the third consecutive year, the Association of LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors is hosting a dinner during the Summit. Ian Bremmer, Anima Anandkumar, and James Gorman will headline the Summi at the Gaylord (which was my nickname in high school, coincidentally) National Resort & Convention Center. The event will gather over 1,100 corporate directors to discuss critical topics like AI, emerging technologies, succession planning, and human capital oversight.
October 15th: see you at Wing in SF
After the NACD, I will be back on the West Coast for Wing 2024, bringing together influential leaders to shape the future of business and technology, to moderate their OUT Leaders & Allies Breakfast featuring Cathy Halligan (Board Director, ULTA Beauty), Brook Colangelo (CIO, Waters), and possibly Mario Marte (Board Director, BestBuy).
November 12: Join me at this PDA lunch in NYC
On November 12, the New York Metro chapter of the Private Directors Association will host "Mastering the Boardroom: The Essentials for Private Equity Success.” The Association is struggling to place its candidates on PE's radar screen. Join me and register here.
Appointments and departures in the Boardroom
Lisa Noon just joined the Dataprise board, while Dan Swisher left his position as a board member of Protagonist Therapeutics.
The gay business
On DEI: it’s “Back to Sleep”
In its article “Back to Sleep,” The Economist gloats about the end of “wokeness,” or at least its more extreme versions. Their analysis reveals that the prevalence of woke opinions and practices in the United States is waning. It claims that, whether in public opinion, the media, higher education, or corporate America, support for and discussion of woke ideas surged in the 2010s, peaked in the early 2020s, and has since subsided.
The semi-cultural desk
Don Lemon’s New Book
I missed Don Lemon’s new memoir, "I Once Was Lost," in which he opens up about his challenging career transition after being “released” from CNN following controversial comments. The book reflects on how Lemon navigated his crisis of faith, the public backlash, and the end of his 17-year tenure at CNN (see the NYTimes critic).
Ellen DeGeneres Misses the Redemption Bus
Ellen DeGeneres’s redemption tour is not working out. Her reportedly final stand-up special, For Your Approval, did not pass The Atlantic’s test for remorse. Fran Hoepfner finds the whole thing awkward, pointing out that joking about being "kicked out" of show business for being "mean" is tone-deaf, given the accusations of toxicity and harassment.
GLAAD publishes its 990 in paperback
On the topic of redemption, I received a few emails sending me GLAAD's new 990: it reads like a F. Scott Fitzgerald novel.
What to watch?
Besides Alf reruns, I watched The Wolfs on Apple TV and stopped watching the self-indulgent Menendez Brothers documentary on Netflix. We must wait until November 13 for “Emilia Perez” to be released on Netflix.
Jean Smart Embraces Lesbian Fandom in ‘SNL’ Monologue
Jean Smart kicked off "Saturday Night Live's" 50th season in a sparkly pink pantsuit, delivering a witty monologue celebrating her connection to her lesbian fans. Smart declared, "Lesbians are obsessed with me," to cheers from the audience. In one memorable episode of "Hacks," her character performs on a lesbian cruise.
The Gay Couple who owns a Rugby team
Read this amazing piece in the NYTimes. When Kaue Garcia and Ryan O’Neill, a gay couple, bought the struggling Keighley Cougars rugby team, they introduced a Pride-themed game with a drag queen performance. The move could have flopped in a rugged, postindustrial northern English town. Instead, fans not only embraced the event—they celebrated it.
Coming and going
Tony Award-winning actor Gavin Creel Dies at 48
Gavin Creel, the Tony-winning musical theater actor celebrated for his roles in “Hello, Dolly!” and “The Book of Mormon,” passed away at 48 in his Manhattan home (see in The NYTimes). Loved by all who crossed his path, Creel advocated for LGBTQ+ rights, co-founding Broadway Impact to support same-sex marriage.
Justin Vivian Bond Wins MacArthur Grant for Queer Cabaret
The 2024 MacArthur Fellows list, announced yesterday, includes 22 recipients recognized for their exceptional creativity and contribution to various fields. Among them is artist and performer Justin Vivian Bond, celebrated for weaving cultural critique and an ethic of care into cabaret performances that center on queer joy. Each Fellow will receive an unrestricted $800,000 grant. See here.
Edafe Okporo Runs for NYC Council to Champion LGBTQ Refugees
In the Blade this week: Edafe Okporo, a Nigerian-born advocate and former asylum seeker, is running for New York City Council in District 7. He aims to bring his firsthand experience of navigating the U.S. as an LGBTQ refugee to City Hall, focusing on affordable housing and immigrant rights to uplift marginalized communities.
Ronnie Kroell Joins MAGA’s LGBT Push
I should have a section on odd news. Ronnie Kroell has joined the Log Cabin Republicans’ coalition-building team at Trump Unity, following Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s endorsement of Donald Trump. This effort aims to bridge RFK Jr.'s LGBT support base into the MAGA movement. Kroell will help oversee outreach and social media, focusing on the "Trump-Curious" branding. See here.
The Gay Agenda
October 3: Introducing QACC Africa and the Pride Prosperity Fund
Tomorrow the Queer & Allied Chamber of Commerce Africa (QACC Africa) will introduce its Pride Prosperity Fund in Washington, DC. RSVP here.
October 14-18: Celebrating Urvashi Vaid
Free screenings of “There Are Things to Do,” an 18-minute film about the life and activism of LGBTQ+ rights icon Urvashi Vaid, will be shown during the 40th Anniversary of Women’s Week in Ptown at Whalers Wharf Cinema. If you have a minute, here is my 2020 interview of Urvashi.
October 18-20: Art Basel Paris
Trans artist Jesse Darling's work will be featured at Art Basel Paris, which will take place from October 18-20. VIP Preview Days will be held on October 16 and 17. See the Art Basel Paris site.
A quick survey to take
The LBQ+ Funding Survey for Asia and the Pacific is now available in eight regional languages—Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian Bahasa, Nepali, Russian, Tamil, Thai, and English. This research explores the funding landscape for LBQ+ organizations, activists, and allies in the region. The deadline is October 15th.
I always forget that on the West Coast, this newsletter has to be out by 9 a.m., hence the delay: my apologies. Thanks to my friends at Outright, I had tickets to the Global Citizen concert and a chance to look cool in front of my kids. They enjoyed it, and now, if someone asks me, I can say I know who Doja Cat and Post Malone are. Thank you for joining me this week, and let's keep pushing forward.
The New Crusades: Theocrats Taking Over Our Schools
https://open.substack.com/pub/patricemersault/p/the-new-crusaders-how-extremists?r=4d7sow&utm_medium=ios