Fabrice Houdart | A weekly newsletter on LGBTQ+ Equality
This week: Ghana's bill, Salvation's dual stance, UN's LGBTQ+ appeal, EU's progress, Yemen's dire actions, Taiwan, Gentili's legacy mourned, NYT's controversy, and the latest from Gay Inc...
Welcome back to the latest installment of your Wednesday noon beacon of all things significant and stimulating in the LGBTQ+ sphere. This week, we're taking you on a global and domestic journey through the ebbs and flows of LGBTQ+ rights, the intersection of identities with culture, policy, and society.
This week: Ghana's bill, Salvation's dual stance, UN's LGBTQ+ appeal, EU's progress, Yemen's dire actions, Taiwan, Gentili's legacy mourned, NYT's controversy, and the latest from Gay Inc...
Global News
Ghana: all eyes on the Parliament
A significant legislative development is unfolding in Ghana as the Parliament prepares to deliberate on the long-coming “Proper Human Sexual Right and Ghanaian Family Value Bills” in its upcoming session. Parliamentarian Sam Nartey George, strangely a product of the London School of Economics (LSE), believes his abhorrent law could be enacted by March 2024, which would be a disaster for our community there. It would also showcase the contagion effect of the Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Act, of which this bill is a dumb copycat. See here.
Ghana (too): The Salvation Army’s unsavory friends
The Salvation Army - like Lori Loughlin - has been well on its way to redemption in the U.S. since about 2020. Its website has an entire LGBTQ+ section outlining its commitment to non-discrimination in services, provision of same-sex benefits, and active engagement in LGBTQ+ inclusion. Yet, its local Ghanaian chapter plays a significant role in the Christian Council of Ghana (CCG), which pushes the "anti-gay bill" I just discussed. We live in a complex world, but the Salvation Army’s delicate dance is worth discussing. I would love to hear your thoughts below.
United Nations: infiltrating its business engagement
In an unexpected move, the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights invited input on better protecting LGBTQ+ rights in the corporate world. It sounds awfully boring, but sharing your views with them before the March 1st deadline is worth doing. They seem to be looking for best practices globally. Their report will be presented during the Upcoming UN General Assembly in October. For more details and to contribute, access the questionnaire here: UN LGBTI Rights and Business Questionnaire. The Association will be sharing its view on representation.
European Union: a glimmer of progress in an uncertain future
Look at me sharing good news today. The latest EU barometer, published in December, indicates a growing acceptance of LGBTQ+ rights in the block. Approximately two-thirds of respondents support equal rights for LGBTQ+, with over 70% affirming the legitimacy of same-sex relationships and the necessity for marriage equality across Europe. Notably, there's been a slight increase in support since 2019 for transgender individuals to amend their civil documents to reflect their true gender identity.
Yemen: Et tu, Houthis?
A little-known fact: I covered Yemen for the World Bank around 2010. I obviously returned to the closet when I visited Sanaa and Aden during that period. Courrier International reports that the Houthi group escalated its crackdown on homosexuality as part of its broader conflict against the United States, which they accuse of being "the leaders of homosexuality in the world" (I would argue it’s Brazilians, Troye Sivan, and Lil Nas X, but no Houthi asked my opinion). Tragically, since the end of January, dozens of individuals have been subjected to whipping or sentenced to death for homosexual acts. Reports from local news outleyts suggest that thirteen students were sentenced to death, and three others whipped at the University of Ibb (here is a map if you never vacationed in Ibb) for "spreading homosexuality."
Taiwan: Huang Jie, a strong message to China
Fugues, the monthly gay magazine in Montreal, portrayed lesbian Taiwan legislator Huang Jie this week. As a reminder, Taiwan is one of the most supportive societies for LGBTQ+ people in Asia and was the first in the region to legalize same-sex marriage in 2019. Huang's journey illustrates a growing acceptance of diverse identities in Taiwanese society, which Xi must be conscious of and is impossible to roll back.
US News
The sudden passing of Cecilia Gentili
Our community mourns the loss of trans leader Cecilia Gentili. Gentili, who recently celebrated her 52nd birthday, is remembered by colleagues and friends for her resilience, fierce advocacy, and profound impact on those around her. She once was my guest at the United Nations and discussed her engagement in local political life. Author Raquel Willis tweeted:
Cecilia [...] was a living legend. A titan, an unapologetic example of trans joy and power. Her spirit lives on in all whom she touched and all she built for us. Rest powerfully and peacefully, Mami. And go kiki with the ancestors. You deserve eternal pleasure.
How is that NYTimes boycott working for us?
As someone who lacks diplomatic skills, I know that grandstanding is never as effective as dialogue. Pamela Paul’s article "As Kids, They Thought They Were Trans. They No Longer Do" suggests that the “boycott” had not deterred the New York Times from publishing on gender dysphoria in children the way they wish. It might have encouraged them. Paul raises the same concerns about the affirmation model of care: it sometimes overlooks other potential sources of a child's distress. The piece has ignited a firestorm of debate in the community, drawing criticism for its suggestion that “rapid onset gender dysphoria” (“ROGD” as the kids would say) —a term contested by many professionals— and social contagion may be influencing an increase in children identifying as transgender.
A detransitioner speaking circuit
The conservative media, from Fox News to the National Review, were quick to echo the NYTimes article as they LOVE detransitioners. Indeed, a handful, like Chloe Cole, are paraded from state to state to give their testimony in each legislature, which is getting undue coverage (this week, it was Arizona). People my age have seen the same practice with a handful of discontented surrogate mothers or ex-gays touring around. Last night, Chloe Schwenke, an openly transgender Quaker woman, spoke eloquently to my students about her quest for dignity and workplace inclusion; it was striking. Strangely, none of the legislatures welcoming these detransitioners ever took the time to listen to the hundreds of thousands of voices of trans people before who tell us transition was life-saving for them.
Queering the Boardroom
Three out CEOs are left in Fortune 500
Jeff Gennette, the longstanding Chairman and CEO at Macy's, officially retired, marking the end of a remarkable 40-year tenure there. See the announcement here.
Ring the bell for LGBTQ+ Equality on May 17th
Consistent with our goal of making every stock exchange as LGBTQ+ inclusive as NASDAQ, which has been leading the way, the Association of LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors is working with its global partners to propose a “ring the bell for LGBTQ+ equality” to selected exchanges simultaneous event on May 17th - The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia. If you have a contact with a specific exchange, please get in touch with us.
A discount for Competent Boards programs
The Competent Boards Sustainability & ESG Designation and Certificate Program, a premier educational governance organization, features Association’s members Lara Shewchuk, COO & CFO at Architech, and Alphonso David, President & CEO of the Global Black Economic Forum. You can benefit from a 10% discount using code ALCD10, which is exclusive to our Association members. The offer stands until February 16 for the February cohort. See the Competent Boards Program.
The Gay business
HRC’s Plea for Renewed Corporate Allyship
Kelley Robinson's January 30 opinion piece in Newsweek introduced the "LGBTQ+ Corporate Citizen" framework to guide businesses beyond superficial support, covering workforce, supply chain, and beyond. I read it, and it is an excellent guide (look at me complimenting U.S. national organizations) and a must-read. It deserves more visibility. I also loved the unequivocal statement on PACS it contains, a straightforward rebuke of the rainbow mirages of the Charter Communications, AT&T, GM, and Walmart of these worlds:
By financially supporting the architects of these bills [through] Employee-funded political action committees (PACs) [...]] even if for very different policy reasons, corporate donors are participating in today’s anti-LGBTQ+ political climate.
There is a tiny caveat on rigorous statistics, though
The opinion piece and the report use an inaccurate “$1.46 trillion global purchasing power” figure. It struck me as it is about half the estimated purchasing power of Turkey and the equivalent of the US Hispanic community's purchasing power. HRC’s team was sloppy on his one: it is the estimate for the US, not globally.
Semi-cultural desk
April 5: Nicholas Galitzine is a gay Duke this time
How the mighty have fallen; only recently was he the spare, and now he is a mere Duke. Thanks to my Georgetown students, I am now eagerly anticipating the April 5th premiere of "Mary & George," a British historical drama miniseries, with Julianne Moore and Nicholas Galitzine playing Mary Villiers, Countess of Buckingham, and her son, George Villiers, the 1st Duke of Buckingham ( "the handsomest-bodied man in all of England” which until now I always thought to be Krishna Omkar). See the trailer below. Based on Benjamin Woolley's "The King's Assassin"” the series delves into the political and social dynamics of King James VI's court. James famously said:
You may be sure that I love the Earl of Buckingham more than anyone else and more than you who are here assembled. I wish to speak in my own behalf and not to have it thought to be a defect, for Jesus Christ did the same, and therefore I cannot be blamed. Christ had John, and I have George
Evan Wolfson on Middle East Peace
Evan has always been ballsy. Renowned for getting us marriage equality, he offered a thought-provoking perspective this week: the same strategies that realized marriage equality could help pave the way for harmony in the Middle East. Wolfson parallels the marriage movement's tenacity with the need for a resolute pursuit of peace between Israelis and Palestinians, advocating for audacious goals, elucidating the steps to success, and fostering a belief in transformative change. Don’t be a Fabrice, dare optimism.. Discover Wolfson's full op-ed here.
Is “non-binary” going to cost us the U.S. Presidential election?
On the Ezra Klein show, Ruy Teixeria of the American Enterprise Institute highlighted concerns that the Democratic Party's “intense” focus on equity and identity politics, particularly around transgender issues, could potentially impact the elections. The conversation specifically addressed the implications of stating that sex isn't binary. I have often asked myself what the Democrats stand for if they are not challenging the injustice and violence of the US economic system. What is more pressing in the U.S. than unfairness? It does not feel “intense” enough to me even when Ruy calls it “identity politics,” which is the name one gives politics when it benefits people who are not you.
Diagnosing queerness in the womb
You should listen to this; it will make your day. In a recent twist of conspiracy creativity, right-wing author James Lindsay introduced a "neonatal queer theory," the idea that we (read: the unhinged left) use sonograms to detect if a fetus is "queer in the womb." With Harvard supposedly at the helm of this new "Ivy League bullshit," Lindsay's comments add a splash of neon to the palette of far-fetched theories. The world of gender reveal parties just got a plot twist.
The Grammys
I like Bob Dylan, Aznavour, and Vincent Delerm, but hopefully, you have broader horizons than mine. The 66th Annual Grammy Awards lit up Los Angeles with a night of significant wins, especially for the LGBTQ community. The night showcases LGBTQ+ representation, with BoyGenius, Phoebe Bridgers, Allison Russell, and Carla Patullo among the winners - read more in MetroWeekly.
Jesse Green is a better me
In the NYTimes, Jesse Green reflects on the transformative power of contemporary queer coming-of-age stories in "The Queer Kids Are All Right. And Now They’re Making Me Better." Growing up devoid of openly queer role models, Green marvels at today's youth, who navigate adolescence with a plethora of queer narratives on platforms like Netflix. Shows like "Heartstopper" and "Sex Education" not only offer visibility for younger people but serve as a balm for older generations, mending the scars left by a less accepting society. Through these narratives, Green finds a bridge to his past, embracing solidarity with today's queer youth and the promise of a more inclusive future. I am just resentful that I had to wait until I was 22 to have gay sex.
Coming and Going
Michael O’Loughlin at Outreach
My friend Michael O'Loughlin, an author and award-winning journalist with an extensive background in covering LGBTQ Catholic issues, has been appointed as the first executive director of Outreach. This initiative, linked to the Jesuit-run America magazine, established in 2022, aligns with the organization's mission to highlight the positive engagements of LGBTQ individuals within the Catholic Church. See here.
Celebrating five years of Brian Bond at PFLAG
One of my favorites, Brian Bond, marks his fifth anniversary as the Executive Director of PFLAG National. Since stepping into this role in February 2019, Bond has harnessed his extensive advocacy, outreach, and public engagement background to spearhead PFLAG's mission. Under his leadership, PFLAG has deepened its commitment to inclusivity, expanded its reach, and fortified its impact across communities.
The Gay Agenda
This past Saturday: Mumbai Pride
The Mumbai Pride March made a triumphant return after a four-year hiatus. On February 3rd, a vibrant crowd marched through South Mumbai's Gamdevi area, advocating for queer rights, including same-sex marriage recognition. Around 1,000 participants gathered, showcasing the resilience and unity of the community. Read about it on PinkNews.
The Houdart Asia Tour
Next Wednesday, the twins (who happen to have another “winter break” - no wonder they are semi-illiterate) and I will embark on a 14 hours trip in ANA economy (pray for me) to Tokyo, where we will stay four days before joining the Outright crew for our Board meeting in Singapore on the 20th (Kathy Teo found a fantastic chaperone for my kids). I look forward to witnessing firsthand how both countries are making strides in LGBTQ+ equality and discussing Outright's life-changing work.
That’s it for this week. Last week was a disaster as I misdiagnosed my motorcycle woes and found myself stranded on various highways collecting Parking tickets. Good news: Someone cut the rectifier cables on my bike. Triumph Brooklyn naively asked, “Who did you piss off?” I was not sure where to start. A tip for next time, though: cutting the brake lines would be much more radical.