Fabrice Houdart | A weekly newsletter on LGBTQ+ Equality
Alice Weidel contradictions, White Lotus III, The Very Boring American Tycoonocracy, Zuckerberg and the Tampons Counterrevolution, Peter Thiel’s apokálypsis, Bigots Don’t Live Forever, and much more…
Ding-Dong Anita Bryant is dead (see the Coming and Going section), but the gays are acting demure about it. Granted, between the devastating LA Fires, the avian flu threat, the MAGA gay billionaires' newfound volubility, and the looming inauguration, they have a lot on their minds right now. Globally, this week, we have the usual: gay seminarians getting a break in Italy, a strange lesbian leader emerging in Germany’s far-right party, and Erdoğan dabbling in state-sponsored homophobia.
This week: Alice Weidel contradictions, White Lotus III, The Very Boring American Tycoonocracy, Zuckerberg and the Tampons Counterrevolution, Peter Thiel’s apokálypsis, Bigots Don’t Live Forever, and much more…
Global News
Turkey: Erdoğan’s Fertility Crusade Gets Homophobic
The Turkish President launched his “Year of the Family” campaign, introducing policies, such as interest-free loans and childcare support, to boost birth rates while targeting the LGBTQ+ community with inflammatory rhetoric. In 2022, Turkey's fertility rate was around 1.88 children per woman. FYI, it is 1.66 in the U.S., 1.79 in France, and 2.1 in replacement-level fertility. Historians beg to disagree with his framing LGBTQ+ rights as a "foreign conspiracy": the whole place was always super gay. Arguably, the Ottoman Empire decriminalized homosexuality in 1858, and openly gay or trans celebrities like Zeki Müren and Bülent Ersoy (I went into a rabbit hole of Ersoy’s videos writing this; I suggest you take the day off and do too) remain beloved icons. This new rhetoric is in line with Erdoğan’s modus operandi, with pride parades banned and anti-LGBTQ rallies enjoying state backing since 2015. Read more on NBC News.
Vatican: Gay Seminarians Allowed, Just No Touching
The Vatican has approved new guidelines allowing gay men to train for the priesthood in Italy, provided they commit to celibacy. One could argue that we never waited for permission to enter the priesthood, but that's okay. Also, the Catholic Thing claims it’s fake news. Issued by the Italian Bishops’ Conference and endorsed by Pope Francis, the guidelines clarify that sexual orientation alone should not disqualify candidates from entering seminaries. Read more in the New York Times.
Germany: A Far-Right Lesbian with Contradictions
As highlighted here a few weeks ago, Alice Weidel, the newly elected chancellor candidate of Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, represents a paradox: while living openly with her female partner, an immigrant from Sri Lanka, Sarah Bossard, and their two sons, she leads a party that rejects LGBTQ+ families. At the AfD’s recent national convention, delegates adopted a platform defining family strictly as “father, mother, and children.” Despite these contradictions, Weidel has gained significant support, including an endorsement from Elon Musk during a live-streamed interview (what’s up with this guy? Didn’t he just buy himself America? That’s still not enough?). The AfD now polls at 20 percent nationally. Read more here.
Cameroon: The Lawyer Defending LGBTQ+ Rights
The BBC had a piece on Veteran Cameroonian lawyer Alice Nkom, now 80, who continues her decades-long fight for LGBTQ+ rights in Cameroon. Nkom, who founded the Association for the Defence of Homosexuality (Adefho) in 2003, has faced threats, public vilification, and the recent suspension of her NGO, Redhac, amid unfounded accusations of money laundering. She has defended numerous LGBTQ+ clients, including high-profile cases like transgender celebrity Shakiro. The odd twist, as mentioned in July, is that President Biya’s daughter just came out.
Ghana: Anti-LGBTQ Bill Gets a Government Twist
President John Mahama announced plans to reintroduce the bill as a government-sponsored initiative following pressure from the Catholic Bishops Conference. It's worth noting that the Vatican’s official stance is not to criminalize homosexuality, as reaffirmed by Pope Francis in recent years, so much for the vow of obedience. The previous version of the bill, unanimously passed by Parliament in February 2024, was left unsigned by former President Akufo-Addo, effectively causing it to expire. Read more on the BBC’s website.
China: Grindr vs. Tik Tok
It’s slightly off-topic, but this opinion piece explains why China’s refusal to sell TikTok, unlike its quiet acceptance of Grindr’s 2020 sale, signals how crucial the app is to its interests. Whether to provoke U.S. outrage or maintain control over TikTok’s influence, Beijing appears willing to let it be banned rather than lose its grip.
Chinese leaders simply think that TikTok, unlike other apps, is so important that they would rather destroy it than see it escape their control.
US News
Biden’s Legacy: Transgender Advocates Disappointed
While New York Magazine had harsh words on Biden’s overall legacy and the Washington Blade crowned him the most pro-LGBTQ+ President, some transgender advocates claim he didn’t do enough to protect the trans community from future anti-LGBTQ+ policies. Despite having lifted the military ban on trans service members and enabled gender-neutral passports, Biden faced criticism for scrapping a proposal for blanket protection for transgender student-athletes and signing a defense bill restricting healthcare coverage for trans military children.
Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, said it’s the first federal law targeting LGBTQ+ people since the 1990s
Peter Thiel’s Fan Fiction in the Financial Times
Oh, Peter… MAGA gay billionaires have so much to say on so many topics lately (like Daylight saving time): it’s so hard to follow. In a Financial Times opinion piece, Peter Thiel argues that Donald Trump’s return to power could lead to - it’s a big Greek word even for a Stamford Philosophy Major - an apokálypsis—a revelation of secrets long suppressed by dark liberal forces, you know, the “enemy from within” a.k.a. you. Thiel suspects a hidden cabal is hiding information about the origins of COVID-19, the death of Jeffrey Epstein and JFK, and financial privacy. He does not mention Area 51, but I just watched Venom with my son, so I’d ask that we add it to the list. Also, Diana’s death? And Harry Styles’s sexuality? I am with Peter on that one; tell us the truth!
Sixty-five percent of Americans still doubt that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone.
Trump’s MAGA Ball: A Queer Nightmare
The Watergate Hotel is preparing to host a black-tie “Coronation Ball” to celebrate Trump’s inauguration. Organized by the far-right publishing house Passage Press, the event will feature MAGA influencers and neo-reactionary figures like Steve Bannon and Curtis Yarvin as attendees. Fun fact: After reading this, I had to check whether I had indeed canceled my DC room reservation for inauguration day (that’s how delusional I am). I had.
Village People Will Perform at Inauguration
The Village People’s decision to perform at Donald Trump’s second inauguration also annoys the LGBTQ+ community. The band’s participation in a politically divisive event is being criticized as a cash grab that disregards their cultural legacy. Despite frontman Victor Willis’ past denials of the song's LGBTQ+ significance, critics argue that no amount of “straight-washing” can erase the song’s deep-rooted queer history.
We believe that music is non-political and that YMCA is a song that may help bring the country together. Therefore, we will participate [in] several inaugural activities
Queering the boardroom
Boardroom Diversity Stalls Amid Conservative Backlash
Reuters reports this week that Corporate board diversity efforts, which surged following the murder of George Floyd in 2020, are now slowing. A recent study shows that the percentage of new Black directors in Russell 3000 companies has dropped to 12% in 2024 from a peak of 26% two years ago, while white directors have regained ground. Experts warn that this trend may accelerate under a new Trump administration. I say: don’t worry too much about it. Efforts to diversify Boards were always lukewarm anyway.
Key LGBTQ+ appointments/departures
Gary H. Loeb has assumed the role of Executive Vice President and Chief Legal and Compliance Officer at Intuitive Surgical. Leone D. Patterson officially stepped down from the board of Oxford Biomedica plc.
The Gay Business
The Post-Election Business Shift
The Financial Times discusses how corporate America is shifting toward conservative values. Major companies would dismantle their DEI initiatives, scale back climate commitments, and align more closely with pro-capitalist and deregulation policies. High-profile tech leaders, including Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and Sundar Pichai, have publicly adjusted their stances, with several firms donating to Trump’s inauguration fund or attending events at Mar-a-Lago. Meta scrapped its content moderation policies and diversity targets while adding UFC CEO Dana White, a known Trump ally, to its board. Analysts suggest the shift is driven by changing customer sentiment, legal pressures, and an effort to preempt potential regulatory scrutiny under the new administration. Whether this conservative turn will endure or prove as fleeting as 2020’s corporate social justice pledges remains uncertain. This FT quote is everything, though:
I feel liberated,” said a top banker. “We can say 'retard' and 'pussy' without the fear of getting cancelled . . . it's a new dawn.
Meta: Zuck Channels His Inner Caveman
Zuckerberg’s recent call for more ‘masculine energy’ in business leadership was accompanied by news that he is firing 5% of his workforce. However, it remains unclear whether he will replace the fired minions with “real men.” Billionaires are just omnipresent this week. Granted, it might be an unpopular opinion, but it seems a fitting punishment that self-absorbed businessmen rule a population obsessed with personal enrichment (I am baffled that there are no more Desperate Housewives cast members in government, but the night is still young).
Live by the Sword, die by the Sword
Amazon Backs Off DEI While Apple Stands Its Ground
This week, we learned that Amazon had removed key DEI policies, including protections for LGBTQ+ and Black employees and gender-affirming healthcare details (see BBC). In contrast, Apple is standing firm, rejecting a conservative proposal to scrap its DEI programs and calling the move an “inappropriate micromanagement” of its operations. I posted a video on LinkedIn (and got a haircut immediately after) reiterating the facts: We haven’t even scratched the surface of what workplace equality could look like for LGBTQ+ people.
Mark King Addresses Gilead-Backed Brief in Drug Lawsuit
Talking about virtuous business, a controversial amicus brief filed by Gilead Sciences, supported by several prominent HIV advocates, has sparked outrage across the LGBTQ+ community. The brief defends Gilead in a California lawsuit accusing the pharmaceutical giant of delaying the release of a safer drug version, resulting in serious harm to people living with HIV (see here). Jeremiah Johnson of PrEP4All and veteran activist Peter Staley denounced the signatories’ involvement, calling it “a shocking betrayal” and a sign of the creeping influence of Big Pharma over once-independent advocates. “Where is our courage?” asked Staley. Read Mark King’s complete account here.
Gilead’s patent on the original drug wasn’t going to expire for another nine years and they really wanted to squeeze every buck out of that patent before introducing the new version. So, Gilead stopped its promising research on the new version and bided its time. For years.
The semi-cultural desk
Rio: Sex, Surveillance, and Sunburns
I would write about it under “Global News,” but this newsletter aims for distinguished and demure in 2025. Nothing says “welcome to 2025” quite like an “orgy” going viral and the police using facial recognition to track down participants, as highlighted by Leo Herrera. That’s precisely what happened at Arpoador Beach in Rio de Janeiro, where about 30 men engaged in post-midnight merrymaking on New Year’s Eve. Naturally, someone filmed and shared it online, which became an international scandal. Authorities are now trying (and failing) to identify the men while debates rage about privacy, public decency, and the policing of queer sexuality. Read more here.
White Lotus Season 3
Here is a great incentive to keep going despite the somewhat negative context: one month into the Trump presidency, we will receive a reward from HBO. The White Lotus is back with Parker Posey, my favorite actress. There is a teaser, too:
On Wicked
I watched Wicked and was surprised I must love it but be ambivalent about Emilia Perez. I never understand the rules, but I suspect they constantly change. In the meantime, here is a Tiktok video for you before the network shut it down:
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Are You a Sauna Bro or a Sauna Hottie?
I was devastated to miss NYC’s “Culture of Bathing Variety Show” last night—a celebration of everything steamy, sudsy, and social. Hosted by Negin Farsad, the evening was part TED Talk, part cabaret, and fully dedicated to the art of communal bathing. From Esther Williams-inspired dance numbers to hot takes on modern bathhouse culture by sauna legends like Mikkel Aaland, it promised a deep dive into the quirks of the global bathing boom. Attendees could either end their night basking in the glow of knowledge or join a late-night “Bathe-Around” at NYC’s trendiest bathhouses if they were fast enough to snag a ticket. Next year, and now that I famously returned to the gym, I’ll be there in nothing but a towel. 🌊🧖
I am tempted to buy Civilization VII
This is irrelevant to this newsletter, but I have to confess to someone that I have been addicted to this game since my teens. I am afraid, though, that this will nail the coffin of my already wobbly, undefinable “career.” Here is the trailer.
Also, if you really want to be annoyed, what about Rob Smith’s self-serving piece on Peter Hegseth? or Megyn Kelly’s rant about 'obese' lesbians fighting LA fires? I really need a despicable/low-brow equivalent section to face this new year.
Coming and Going
Anita Bryant, Anti-Gay Activist and Former Singer, Dies at 84
Anita Bryant, once a chart-topping singer and commercial spokesperson who later became infamous for her anti-gay crusades in the 1970s, has died at 84 in Oklahoma. A vocal opponent of LGBTQ+ rights, Bryant led campaigns against anti-discrimination laws, most notably in Miami-Dade County, sparking widespread backlash and boycotts. Despite her initial success, her opposition to gay rights diminished her entertainment career, and her efforts became a cautionary tale in LGBTQ+ history. While she spent her later years leading a religious ministry, her legacy remains entwined with ongoing anti-LGBTQ+ efforts in the U.S. today. See in Politico.
The Gay Agenda
20–24 January: Dav-os and Don’ts, LGBTQ+ Inclusion Hits the Slopes
Open for Business heads to the World Economic Forum to champion the economic power of LGBTQ+ inclusion; this year’s agenda will have the usual gay flair, co-hosted by GLAAD, Deutsche Bank, and Accenture. Unfortunately, the après-ski scene will not be as fun as in previous years; the NYTimes shamelessly ruined it for everyone. If you’re in Davos and want to chat about inclusion—or need a coffee to survive the mountain air—don’t hesitate to reach out to our OfB friends!
Next Tuesday: how to weather inauguration day
My advice: make a plan for the inauguration day. Maybe start your morning with a ceremonial doom scroll, then switch off all devices. After that, embark on a day of unapologetically gay activities: deep-clean your collection of porcelain unicorns, watch “Golden Girl” reruns or the second season of Squid Games (there is a trans character) or, even, if you must, Meghan Markle’s attempted brand rehab. Or come over, and we can see The Brutalist or play Civilization VII. But distract yourself. In 2025, suffering is optional; comedy is mandatory.
Feb 24–28: ILGA Asia Conference 2025
Pack your bags, grab your rainbow scarves, and head to Kathmandu this February! The 10th ILGA Asia Conference (Feb 24–28) is the perfect excuse for a gay Himalayan adventure while championing human rights and looking at our fight from a wider (non-US) lens. Under the theme “Diverse, Dynamic, Unified,” the conference will include some of my Koppa colleagues. Learn more and register here!
Erratum
Last week, among many other typos and grammatical mistakes, I accidentally referred to ALOK as "him" instead of "them." I promise to do better—and that has nothing to do with me turning MAGA (yet).
Well, that’s it for this week. I almost completely recovered from my cold. Thanks for asking. It’s a miracle. But it took a week of theatrical whining and popping Dayquils as if they were Quaaludes. I still feel a little sluggish. My behavior would have irked Zuckerberg’s craving for a return to a masculine America. Before banishing tampons from office men's rooms, he should think about outlawing the man-flu.