Fabrice Houdart | A weekly newsletter on LGBTQ+ Equality !
This week: turmoil at the Knesset, Tunisia Article 230, Santos, DeSantis and other saints, 2023: the year of Dragophobia, acing your LinkedIn for Board Service, Spoiler Alert, The Whale, and more…
Global News
Israel: the complex Netanyahu dance
It could be a long year for LGBTQ+ people in Israel - something I forgot to mention in last week’s 2023 prophecies. The incoming Netanyahu government, sworn in last week, includes several openly homophobic parties (see BBC article on the coalition here). The Government has been under scrutiny as members have hinted at legalizing “religious exemptions” to equality among other threats (all inspired by the US far right apparently - read here and see the quote below). A demonstration took place in Tel Aviv against anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric by members of the coalition (see here). Yet, in the same week, the Knesset (Israeli parliament) approved a new Speaker, Amir Ohana, who is the only openly gay Likud (Netanyahu’s party) Member and was Israel's first openly gay minister. In his inaugural speech, Ohana mentioned his husband Alon triggering this strange reaction by ultra-religious MKs. Noteworthy: my friend Yoni pointed out that the private sector wrote two public letters expressing concern - see here and here.
…all of the anti-LGBTQ policies that members of the incoming Israeli government have recently proposed are fully concurrent with the existing situation in the US.
Tunisia: 230, the Article of Shame
Seven years later, a Tunisian court dropped a symbolic case against “Daniel”, a gay rights activist this week on procedural grounds. In 2015, six university students in the city of Kairouan were sentenced to six years in prison for allegedly having sex with other men. They were to be banned from the city for five years after their sentences. Most men have left the country but Daniel remained. His courage is astounding. Read the news here. Article 230 of the Penal Code of Tunisia criminalizes same-sex conduct. Unfortunately, this week, SHAMS and DJAM also reported that four men were arrested in December in Hammamet and imprisoned based on this law. Plus ça change...
Benin: the headline says it all
This is an actual headline on a Benin website: “The police dismantle a network of homosexuals in Cotonou”. A “network of homosexuals”… makes it sound a lot like we form gay Jesse James or Arsene Lupin criminal gangs. The article of course uses interchangeably homosexuality and pedophilia. Reporting on LGBTQ+ issues in francophone Africa is blatantly homophobic, making the case for a region-wide project on LGBTQ+ and journalism.
Turkey: the LGBTQ+ lens in the headscarf debate
Back in November, The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) announced it would submit two-article constitutional amendments to the Parliament to “strengthen the structure of the family” and protect women wearing headscarves in public and private spaces. While the focus has been on the headscarves debate (see here), activists point out that the proposal also introduces an amendment to ban the possibility of same-sex marriage (see new language below in bold).
ARTICLE 41-The family is the foundation of Turkish society. Marriage shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman, and based on the equality between the spouses.
France: preparing for the next wave of monkeypox
The French public health authorities recommended last week that the Government build up strategic stocks of third-generation smallpox vaccines to prepare for a potential resurgence of the virus. There is uncertainty about the current level of stocks of these vaccines in the country. Contrary to other countries, France does not give any precise indication of its stockpiles hiding behind defense secrecy. See here.
US News
In search of LGBTQ+ senior living
To start on a positive note, for once, the WSJ had a story about more inclusive senior housing. What I found particularly uplifting is that the private sector which runs or develops retirement homes is paying attention. LGBTQ+ friendliness can be a selling point for these communities. The simple reality is that society owes a debt to older LGBTQ+ people which it banned from their families, community, and places of worship to preserve its comfort. The onus is on the Government to repair what it broke. Read more here.
I’m getting two to six inquiries a day. There aren’t enough of these places around the country where gays can feel supported.
Missouri: the execution of Amber McLaughlin
Amber McLaughlin, 49, became the first openly transgender woman executed in the US Tuesday for the fatal stabbing of her ex-girlfriend decades ago. Chris Geidner presented the case background in a recent newsletter. Amber had transitioned during her imprisonment. Some pointed out the Governor’s press release used her dead name. Others argued it might have been the least of her worries. As of 2022, only 55 countries retain capital punishment: a clear violation of human rights.
The talented Mr. Santos kept us busy during the holidays
Not a day passes without a new lie by out conservative Representative-elect George Santos being uncovered. The latest development is an announcement that the Brazilian justice system would revive a 2008 matter in which Santos stole a checkbook. The case had been suspended for the better part of a decade because the police were unable to locate him. In the meantime, gay Rep. Ritchie Torres led the charge with a proposed bill punishing candidates who lie about their resumes. My friend Dan Zak at the Post reports that Santos had an awkward first day at school. Signorile tells us the scandal might be a good thing after all delving into the support Santos received from the awful Richard Grenell. His piece reminded me of the time my then-boss demanded I erase a brilliant Grenell tweet during the Trump years to preserve “bipartisanship”. Good times…
Are we going to spend 2023 talking about Drag Shows?
How is that even compatible with dry January? The sheer number of online conversations on Drag Shows this week is draining. There is a strong chance that in 2023, someone will ask you what you think about the campaign against Drag Shows by conservatives. You could respond by asking why DeSantis is not going after parents consenting to take a minor to R-rated movies, cinemas that allow it, and the studios that produce these movies (Restricted-rated movies are those contain some adult material: “Parents are urged to learn more about the film before taking their young children with them”). Why stop at Drag Shows and movies actually? What about TV programs? Or Video Games? As a side note, I showed Mean Girls to my boys in 2022 (PG-13) because it is a guide for living in American schools. Last week DeSantis announced he was launching an investigation of a holiday drag show in Orlando leading to some protests. Semafor pointed out that, at his swearing-in for his second term as Florida’s governor yesterday, DeSantis’ speech revolved around the Sunshine State as the place “where woke goes to die”. Tout un programme…
The Boardroom
The Canadian Chapter of the Association of LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors
This week, we launched LGBTQ Corporate Directors Canada, a new nonprofit that is focused on bringing diversity to Canada's Corporate Governance world through increased LGBTQ+ presence. I am on the Advisory Board with a group of high-powered Canadians. Read the announcement here and visit our website here. Congratulations to its Executive Director, the wondrous Jane Griffith. Chapters in the UK, Australia, Singapore, Germany and Hong Kong are at different stages of readiness.
Coming in 2023: the Nasdaq Case Ruling
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is expected to rule this year on Jay Blum’s challenge to Nasdaq's board diversity rule. As a reminder back in September, during the hearing, the time and tenor of questioning from the judges sounded skeptical of Blum's argument that the rule can be challenged on a constitutional basis. The question in Case No. 21-60626 is whether the SEC can compel corporate boards to disclose diversity information about the board members. See the docket here.
Our monthly webinar: positioning one’s LinkedIn for Board service
LinkedIn probably won’t get you a board seat but you can be sure the Nom/Gov committee and recruiters will scrutinize your profile. The Association is holding its third webinar on January 26th at 3:30 p.m. ET with several specialists who still share tips on optimizing your profile for Board search. If you are interested in joining, you can email us at info@lgbtqdirectors.org
Business
Jeff Gennette speaks on societal issues in the WSJ amidst challenges
Jeff Gennette, Chairman & CEO of Macy's, Inc. (and one of only four Fortune 500 out LGBTQ+ CEOs) spoke with Suzanne Kapner at The Wall Street Journal this week about his professional journey and lessons learned as an out gay man. Gennette has recently been intentionally vocal on LGBTQ+ issues as the iconic American store is facing challenges – Read about it here and unionization efforts. The piece was a bit of a puff piece but I picked up on this comment “we created a group of advisers on societal topics and how they might affect our brand.” - I think it’s a smart move. Read the article here.
From the semi-cultural desk
My Christmas Gift to Myself: Pride
I loved this column in the New York Times: Charles Blow wonders if the world needs to hear of another middle-aged guy’s experiences coming out. I think it does. Every coming-out story is a miracle of resilience and bravery. Read it here and include the following as part of your 2023 resolutions.
“I must live — now, fully, ferociously. I had to stop being self-destructive and live in self-care and self-forgiveness. In my case, it is not hyperbolic to say that my brother’s death not only changed my life but saved it."
Spoiler Alert, The Whale, Glass Onion, Strange World: Gay, Gay, Gay….
There is much more to it but here is how a mean-spirited friend summarized it:
The Whale. A gay man loses his partner and eats himself to death.
Spoiler Alert. A hot gay man falls in love with an ugly duckling and then dies
Gay love often ends up tragically in Hollywood and I might be the only person that likes it that way. I was going to watch the movie “Spoiler Alert” for you last night, adapted from a memoir by the television journalist Michael Ausiello on losing his partner to cancer but instead showed “Little Manhattan” to my sons as they have been talking about crushes a lot. “Spoiler Alert” is in theaters and streaming for $19.99. It is sad but uplifting and has both happy moments and Sally Fields. See the trailer here and below. More Tears for you with The Whale (trailer here). Brendan Fraser, who once wore a loincloth in George of the Jungle and played the heterosexual gardener in Gods & Monsters, is Charlie, an obese and reclusive English teacher who struggles with disordered eating. His performance in the film is Oscar-worthy as Kevin Fallon at the Daily Beast reminds us. Finally, Daniel Craig is in a relationship with Hugh Grant in the very entertaining Glass Onion (Confession: Grant was among my first celebrity crushes) and the Christian right did not enjoy Disney’s Strange World:
Christian parents, be ready. We should be aware of these films not only in a defensive way (prohibiting our kids from watching) but in a way that prompts proactive resistance to the cultural values they embody.
Australia: the fireworks ignite Murdoch’s wrath
Dragophobia is a global disease. On New Year’s Eve, the Australian government TV station ABC, covered, as they normally do, the fireworks from Sydney Harbour. This year’s NYE party had many overtones to the LGBTQ+ population which was done as a prelude to WorldPride. Well, Australian Sky News (Fox) did not like the show's “woke”-ness, criticizing the programming including drag queens doing “tasteless” lip sync of Australian icons who passed away, like Olivia Newton-John. Read about it here. I would urge Murdoch to hang in there as WorldPride is just around the corner.
US: Eric Bottcher’s neighbor assailant arrested
I wrote a few weeks ago about the demonstrations targeting Councilmember Bottcher after his support of a Drag Reading Hour at a local library. The NYPD arrested a man named David Nieves last week for assaulting his neighbor during the protest. Read about it here.
Exuberant biology: conservatives won’t like it but nature is complex
I keep a book at my desk called “Exuberant biology”. If you do not know what a Chimera is, you are in luck with this beautiful headline “Woman finds out she is her daughter's mother - and uncle”. Read and learn. It took me a while to understand what this is about although when I heard we were having twins (who were fraternal so not at-risk at all) I read all about “vanishing twins”.
Martina Navratilova’s diagnosis
Tennis great Martina Navratilova has been diagnosed with both stage one throat and breast cancer (read here).
The Gay Agenda
You can still purchase tickets for David Mixner’s theatrical comeback (March 6th). Consider having your company sponsor the Justin Fashanu statue. And finally, if your company is able to sponsor or host a table at the Outright Gala 2023 (June 5th), we offer tables at the $25K, $10K, and $6,5K levels. I need to get a few contracts going before I can afford that so keep me a seat at your table.
Finally, who can tell me what’s happening on LGBTQ+ issues at Davos this year (16-20 January)?
After a very restful holiday with my boys, I entered the doldrums of winter (new word courtesy of my friend Candace) with full-blown Covid but I still feel very optimistic about the New Year. Let me reiterate my best wishes for 2023. My favorite activity every week is writing this newsletter and I look forward to navigate the LGBTQ+ equality developments this year with you. See you next week.