Fabrice Houdart | A weekly newsletter on LGBTQ+ Equality
This week: the Polish surprise, Colombian and Dutch gay candidates, more Pride pettiness and the corporate exodus, remembering Edmund White, Enzo, and much more…
Bonjour from Paris, where I am for some meetings, hence the one-hour delay. Sadly, this means I am skipping the World Pride festivities in Washington this week, not unlike Shakira. It’s only been four days into Pride Month, and the jury is still out on whether the U.S. community has shown strength after 5 months of setbacks. Most headlines (including my comments in Provoke media) are focused on the corporate retreat and Hegseth’s petty move to change the name of a warship. The most exciting news is outside of the U.S., with Claudia López running for president in Colombia, Rob Jetten in the Netherlands, and our economic endeavors.
This week: the Polish surprise, Colombian and Dutch gay candidates, Pride pettiness and the corporate exodus, remembering Edmund White, Enzo, and much more…
Global News
Poland: Nawrocki Victory Deals Blow to LGBTQ+ Hopes
In a stunning upset defying polling predictions, Karol Nawrocki—a nationalist conservative historian with Trumpian leanings—was elected President of Poland with 50.89% of the vote, defeating liberal Warsaw mayor Rafał Trzaskowski. Backed by the Law and Justice Party (PiS - remember the LGBTQ+-free zones, that’s their work), Nawrocki’s presidency promises legislative gridlock, halting long-awaited progressive reforms on LGBTQ+ rights and reproductive health. His win spells trouble not only for Poland’s queer community—whose patience, as Bart Staszewski, a local activist and friend, reminds us, “has its limits”—but also for the broader EU project. Read more in Le Monde.
There was a chance - for climate action, stronger EU ties, LGBTQ rights, accountability, dignity. That window is now closed. The next one may not open until 2030.
Netherlands: Could the Country Get Its First Gay PM?
With the collapse of the Dutch government after Geert Wilders’ far-right PVV withdrew over immigration disputes, the Netherlands faces snap elections likely this autumn. While Wilders remains strong in the polls, recent gains by the Green/Left alliance and liberal D66 suggest a competitive race. Rob Jetten, the out D66 leader and one of the country’s most prominent progressive voices, could become a serious contender. His pro-European, climate-forward agenda starkly contrasts with Wilders’ nationalist stance, and his leadership could restore momentum on LGBTQ+ rights stalled under the previous coalition. Jetten’s path to the premiership will depend on his ability to unite liberal and center-left parties—an uphill battle, but one with growing public support as Dutch voters show signs of fatigue with far-right gridlock.
Colombia: Claudia López for President
Claudia López, Colombia’s trailblazing former mayor of Bogotá, has officially launched a new political movement, Con Claudia Imparables, and her 2026 presidential bid. López, already a historic figure as the first woman and the first openly lesbian person elected to lead the capital, is doubling on inclusive politics and progressive reform. Her new campaign builds on a legacy of championing LGBTQ+ rights, environmental sustainability, and public transparency. In a country where queer visibility in politics remains rare, López’s unapologetic identity and national popularity make her one of Latin America’s most compelling political figures to watch. I am rooting for her and her signature Hermès foulards. See here.
Canada: Is the Corporate Pride Exodus Going Global?
Pride Toronto, one of North America’s largest LGBTQ+ festivals, faces a significant funding shortfall of approximately $700,000 for its 2025 event. This financial gap is due to the withdrawal of major sponsors, including Google and Home Depot, just weeks before the festival. Executive Director Kojo Modeste attributes these sudden pullouts to the broader impact of U.S. President Donald Trump’s anti-DEI policies, which have created a chilling effect beyond U.S. borders. See here.
Norway: A Little Pride Tearjerker
The Oslo Pride produced a fantastic video, which you can watch below:
Pride: Sunil Pant Questions Its Universality
In a Facebook post titled “Whose Pride Is It, Anyway?”, Nepalese activist Sunil Babu Pant critiques the globalized model of Pride Month as a Western export poorly adapted to the Global South. From Kathmandu to Lagos, he argues, June Pride’s symbolism and seasonality ignore local climates (June is not the best month in many places), histories, and indigenous queer identities. Instead of supporting existing cultural expressions, Pant says, Western LGBTQ+ agendas often fund rainbow parades while sidelining long-standing local traditions.
US News
The U.S. LGBTQ+ Leadership vs. The Facts
Republican support for same-sex marriage has fallen to 55%, a 10-year low, with only 38% now viewing same-sex relationships as morally acceptable, stark contrasts to the 86% of Democrats who do. As anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment gains political traction, this data exposes the U.S. movement’s strategic stagnation: failing to shift narratives, build broad coalitions, or defend key wins. Meanwhile, much leadership remains unaccountable, something I denounced after the Presidential election, celebrating past victories while the foundation erodes beneath them. Read the stats here.
HIV Vaccine Cuts, Lives at Risk
The Trump administration has terminated federal programs aimed at developing an HIV/AIDS vaccine—a blow to decades of life-saving research, just as new global cases rise to 1.3 million, including 120,000 children (per The New York Times). The decision eliminates the HIV division at the National Institutes of Health, continuing a broader trend of cutting federal support for critical medical research and prevention work. Scientists warn that halting vaccine development endangers millions of lives, with one researcher stating bluntly: “killing research on one will end up killing people.” See in the NY Times.
Navy Weighs Renaming USNS Harvey Milk
The U.S. Navy is reportedly considering renaming the USNS Harvey Milk and other ships named after civil rights leaders such as Thurgood Marshall and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, sparking outrage from LGBTQ+ advocates. The move, revealed in internal documents obtained by CBS News, appears part of a broader effort under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the Trump administration to be petty and annoying. Critics have condemned the decision as a culture war stunt and a deliberate erasure of progress, with Truth Wins Out calling it "an insult to all who continue to fight for equality." Some have pointed out that having a warship named after yourself is not the best, but it is also true that Milk was once part of the United States Navy.
Affirming Care for LGBTQ+ Leaders: A New Mental Health Lifeline
91% of LGBTQ+ elected officials report worsened mental health since taking office—yet nearly half have never sought help, according to the Victory Institute. The Institute anounced it partnered with EqualityMD to offer free, affirming telehealth care to 10 queer public officials. The pilot provides 36 annual visits with culturally competent providers across mental health, primary, and urgent care, plus prescription support. Read more in The Advocate.
Floyd Brown Ousted from Kennedy Center
Floyd Brown, a far-right activist infamous for virulently anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and Obama-era conspiracy theories, was abruptly dismissed from his short-lived role as Vice President of Development at the Kennedy Center following a CNN investigation. Brown, who once described homosexuality as “a punishment” and decried gay sex as immoral, had quietly joined the Kennedy Center. Internal backlash reportedly followed his hiring, especially among staff and donors concerned about his controversial history. Brown claims he was fired for refusing to renounce his belief that marriage is solely between a man and a woman, blaming Ric Grenell for his ouster.
How Gay Marriage Won—and What the Left Can Learn From It
In To Stop Losing the Culture Wars, Learn From Gay Marriage, Joan C. Williams traces how a movement initially skeptical of marriage pivoted to it, not out of elite strategy but because ordinary LGBTQ people wanted legitimacy and commitment. By emphasizing love and family, the campaign resonated across class divides. She argues that progressive causes win not by watering down values or chasing centrism, but by aligning with the dignity and priorities of everyday people. I am a little skeptical. The World today is a different animal.
Pride, Fenced Off
The National Park Service will shutter D.C.’s iconic Dupont Circle park during WorldPride weekend, citing past unpermitted events and $175,000 in damage from 2023. The decision—backed by D.C. police but decried by local leaders—severs a symbolic LGBTQ+ gathering space just as international eyes turn to the city. Community members, blindsided and frustrated, see it as a blow not only to Pride festivities but to the visibility and historical resonance of Dupont Circle itself. Amid boycotts, sponsor losses, and a rescheduled kickoff concert, the shadow hanging over this year’s celebration only deepens. Read more in the Washington Post.
The Gay Business
The Case for a Parallel LGBTQ+ Economy
As Donald Trump Jr. builds a “parallel MAGA economy” through 1789 Capital—leveraging political connections, insider access, and grievance-driven investing—it reinforces the case for our community to craft a different kind of parallel economy rooted in inclusion, equity, and resilience. LGBTQ+ venture, investment funds, queer-owned supply chains, and economic networks that empower our community. If the far right is busy creating an anti-woke empire, it’s time we respond not with power—and that means capital, ownership, and ambition. Join us in October 2025 at Koppa’s inaugural Global Inclusive Finance Conference.
Corporate Courage Is a Pride Month Imperative
Brian Ellner, a longtime equality advocate and APCO managing director, reminded us that our community is paying attention this week. In a political climate that has spooked some companies into retreating from LGBTQ+ support, Ellner urges business leaders to think beyond short-term backlash and embrace long-term stakeholder trust. The data is on his side: 69% of Americans support marriage equality, nearly 80% favor nondiscrimination protections, and Gen Z—20% of whom identify as LGBTQ+—demands authenticity and social responsibility from the brands they engage with. Ellner’s call: don’t just wave the rainbow—anchor it in action. Read more on LinkedIn.
GAY TIMES Goes Investigative—and You Can Own a Piece of It
In a bold pivot to meet the urgency of our time, GAY TIMES is transforming into an investigative news platform. As part of this reinvention, the iconic media brand is launching its first-ever public retail investment round this Friday, offering LGBTQ+ individuals and allies across the UK, Europe, and most of the world the chance to become shareholders. Learn more about the vision, investment details, or email if you’re based in North America.
Lonely Planet’s New LGBTQ+ Guide
After over 50 years of publishing traditional travel guides, Lonely Planet has released its first standalone LGBTQ+ travel guide, a coffee-table-style book curated by journalist Alicia Valenski. “The LGBTQ+ Travel Guide” deviates from the brand’s usual packable format, spotlighting more than 50 queer-friendly cities through the voices of locals, like Berlin, Brooklyn, and Puerto Vallarta, blending helpful tips with storytelling. Initially planned for 2019–2020 but delayed by the pandemic, the book now lands when inclusive, community-informed travel is more needed than ever. Read more in the New York Times.
Queering the Boardroom
Boardroom Wisdom with Nancy Schlichting
In the latest webinar from the Association of LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors, trailblazing healthcare executive Nancy M. Schlichting—former CEO of Henry Ford Health System and current board member at Walgreens and Baxter International—offered a masterclass in inclusive leadership. From crisis management to the business imperative of board diversity, Nancy shares sharp, candid insights on truly effective governance and why LGBTQ+ voices matter more than ever in corporate leadership. Join our next webinar on June 18th.
Coming & Going: Boardroom Moves to Watch
Richard Clark, a founding member of the Association and Accenture Alumni, has been appointed to the board of Virtusa Corporation. Jennifer L. Wong, formerly on the board of Discover Financial Services, is now a board member at Capital One. Meanwhile, departures include Patrick Machado from Acelyrin and Atticus Tysen from Nordstrom.
Semi-cultural Desk
My Week in Anti-Uber-Rich Entertainment
At first glance, everything I watched this week feels like an anti-rich manifesto, but it is a celebration of extreme wealth when you dig deeper. Mountainhead on Apple TV delivers high-altitude oligarch rage, though Steve Carell as a billionaire was a stretch—I first met him as a manager at Dunder Mifflin. Meanwhile, Sirens on Netflix, which I streamed mid-Atlantic, denounced the tyranny of hedge fund wives in Nantucket (“Port Haven”, but really… Nantucket). I am not the only one figuring out how manipulative the whole thing is: see the New Yorker piece on Your Friends and Neighbors. I liked this quote from the article:
Inevitably, such expressions of anti-materialist anomie run up against the need to seduce viewers with expensive objects.
What to Watch? Enzo
Robin Campillo’s Enzo, unfolds as a quiet character study of a teenager who seems ordinary on the surface but simmers with inner conflict about class, identity, and love. Set in a sun-drenched Côte d’Azur town, the film follows Enzo (newcomer Eloy Pohu) as he rebels against his bourgeois roots, resists academic conformity, and slowly falls for a Ukrainian bricklayer (who hasn’t fallen for a Ukrainian bricklayer at some point? I feel it is a passage obligé. I myself always had a weakness for Gene Smilansky), Vlad, challenging both his family’s expectations and his sense of self. Read more here.
I Don’t Understand You
I don’t have much to say about this. It looks terrible, but who knows? Watch the trailer below. I know I’ll end up watching it.
Fund the Arts!
Dave Harper, executive director of the New York City AIDS Memorial, makes a sharp call to action: fund or risk losing the culture. Pride, he argues, must move beyond celebration into sustained resistance. That means concrete financial support from private donors, foundations, and cultural philanthropists for LGBTQ+ arts organizations, archives, and HIV/AIDS support groups—especially those serving Black, Brown, and trans communities. Amid cuts from agencies like the NEA, where new rules block grants to groups “promoting gender ideology,” funding must come from community allies and progressive institutions. Projects like the Memorial’s augmented reality exhibits, drag showcases, and oral histories are keeping queer memory alive. See his op-ed in The Art Newspaper.
The Gay Agenda
June 17th: Victory Institute Heads to Chelsea for Fundraiser
The LGBTQ+ Victory Institute is hosting a high-impact fundraiser in Chelsea to support its vital work advancing LGBTQ+ leadership in public office. Hosted by Stephen Henderson and James LaForce, with a host committee including my friends Howard and Joey Pulchin-Ramos, the event supports the organization that is trying to rebuild our political power. Donate or RSVP here.
June 29: Rescue Me at NYC Pride
New York City’s official Pride March takes over Manhattan on June 29 with the theme “Rise Up: Pride in Protest,” led by grand marshals like Karine Jean-Pierre in case we had any Biden-era nostalgia, or my friend Marty Cummings. While the streets will pulse with parades, protests, dance parties, drag shows, and rooftop discos, this year I find myself a bit orphaned—no float, no crew. So here’s my shameless call: rescue me and my twins! We’re ready to jump on a float, wave some flags, and reclaim the joy of Pride together. DM if you have room for three glitter-covered hitchhikers. See the full menu of NY Pride festivities here.
Coming and going
Edmund White, Chronicler of Gay Life, Dies at 85
With the death of Edmund White yesterday, the LGBTQ+ community lost not only a literary giant but also one of its boldest truth-tellers. White’s pioneering voice—wry, elegant, and relentlessly honest—documented the contours of gay life long before it was safe or fashionable to do so. From the landmark The Joy of Gay Sex to his semi-autobiographical trilogy beginning with A Boy’s Own Story, White gave queer readers their reflection on the page. He once quipped that if he’d written the sex manual alone, it would’ve been called The Tragedy of Gay Sex—but it was always more than that: an affirmation, a rebellion, and a cultural mirror. Living through the pre-Stonewall era, the AIDS crisis, and the fight for marriage equality, White chronicled it all with both sensuality and sorrow. His death, confirmed by his husband Michael Carroll, closes the chapter on a life lived fearlessly—and written prolifically. More than 30 books later, his influence endures in the work of a new queer literary generation, many of whom say they picked up the pen because Edmund White did first. Read more here.
Jonathan Joss, Voice of John Redcorn, Killed in San Antonio Shooting
Actor Jonathan Joss, best known for voicing John Redcorn in King of the Hill, was shot and killed in San Antonio on June 1 at age 59. While police have arrested a suspect and say no motive is confirmed, Joss’s husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, alleges the killing followed a campaign of anti-LGBTQ+ harassment and that Joss died protecting him during an unprovoked attack. A Native American and openly queer actor, Joss broke ground in roles from Parks and Recreation to Cyberpunk 2077. 👉 Read more here.
Coming Out (Historically): John Maynard Keynes, Revisited
This Pride Week marks the anniversary of the World Bank—and the birthday of one of its founders, economist John Maynard Keynes (born June 5, 1883), whose legacy now includes a posthumous queer rereading. Historians have documented same-sex relationships alongside his marriage to Lydia Lopokova. As Andrew Park notes in a LinkedIn Pride tribute, it’s a reminder that queerness has always been part of global leadership—even if unnamed.
Well, that’s it for this week. I have been battling a cold, which is the price I pay for taking too many planes. If I am better this weekend, I’d like to indulge in sharing my thoughts on our journey on Pride. Until then, enjoy the festivities!
🛠️ Erratum: Juneteenth Link Update. Last week’s newsletter linked to the BOFFO site instead of the official Juneteenth: Boots on the Ground invite. You can now find the full schedule and details here: fippoa.org/cobe. Thanks to Doug Harris for the heads-up!
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this newsletter are solely my own and do not necessarily reflect those of any organizations, institutions, or individuals mentioned.