Fabrice Houdart | A weekly newsletter on LGBTQ+ Equality
This week: a very Scottish drama, Spain and “self-attestation”, Israel's black list, the NYTimes trans coverage showdown, Moms for Liberty, the inaugural LGBTQ+ Boardroom survey, Sam Brinton & more...
World News
Scotland: First Minister resigns over “self-attestation” backlash
I wrote a piece on the topic (with an appetizing title if I may say: The UK-Scotland drama on trans rights for dummies) on Saturday if you missed it. The confluence of the constitutional showdown over the trans-legal recognition reform and a single picture of a scary prisoner contributed to the resignation of First Minister Sturgeon.
Spain: “self-attestation” is almost the law of the land
This positive development in Spain takes place while the British government - see above - said this January it would block a new law that makes it easier for people in Scotland to change their gender legally. Read more in this analysis by Human Rights Watch. One of the exciting aspects of writing this newsletter has been observing how political discourse on LGBTQ+ issues affects rules from one country to another. This is true of transition requirements, surrogacy, or anti-discrimination.
Israel: Orthodox journalist comes out amidst Noam controversy
I reported here on how a ramping up of homophobic comments has accompanied the rapid degradation of democracy in Israel. Well, in the midst of it, a famous Channel 12 religious affairs reporter, Yair Cherki - whose father is a prominent Rabbi - came out in a Facebook post. As a side note, one of the reasons LGBTQ+ people are not routinely massacred, I often think, is because we pop up in the most unlikely places. In the meantime, news came out that around 2019, Noam had produced a list of 50 LGBTQ+ people to watch out for, worrying many in Israeli society.
“I tremble as I write these words: I love men and God, and this isn’t contradictory.”
France: Pierre Palmade reflects poorly on LGBTQ+ people
The coverage of Palmade’s deadly car accident is still omnipresent and used by homophobes to stigmatize the community. Imagine that the conservative Le Figaro had a front-page article titled “what is Chemsex?”. I guess that’s one thing I won’t need to explain to my parents after all *eye roll*. In 2013, Pierre Palmade had distanced himself squarely from the gay community "my homosexuality resembles less and less the one I see around me.” On Monday, gay singer Eddy de Pretto - you have to be French - seemed to feel it was a good move:
"As we never mix tea towels and towels, please do not mix gay people with Palmade pleaaaaase"
South Korea: a court victory
The role of religion in South Korean politics has historically been a bottleneck to progress on LGBTQ+ issues. Similarly, there are almost no prominent openly gay politicians or business leaders in the country. Yet, in a landmark verdict this week, the Seoul High Court recognized spousal coverage of the national health insurance for a same-sex couple, overturning a lower court's ruling that said the union could not be considered a de facto couple. The Court ruled in favor of the plaintiff that treating opposite-sex and same-sex couples differently in a de facto marriage relationship is sexual orientation discrimination. Read more here and have a look at the press release from local CSOs here.
Australia: World Pride is not just a party
A group of leading organizations in the region, including our friends at APCOM, use the opportunity of World Pride to call for increased support for LGBTQ+ communities in Asia Pacific in a report entitled Partnering with Pride: The case for Australian action for equality in our region. The CSOs request the nomination of a Special Envoy on LGBTQ+ rights - like it currently exists in the US, UK, France, Argentina, and Italy - and $15 million in annual targeted funding for the region. Read more here.
World Bank in the storm over LGBTQ+ listserv tone-deaf emails
“As we expand the global coverage of our study, we rely on pro bono contributions from individuals and organizations with legal expertise”: a tone-deaf call for free labor from a World Bank staff member on a popular LGBTQ+ activist listserv did not go too well with the international LGBTQ+ Community. Canadian organization Egale asked: “Why are you unable to put resources behind this effort to compensate the experts…?”, Outright noted: “[...] this is an extraordinarily wealthy institution asking for free work on a list of people who work in the most economically vulnerable conditions, many employed or already volunteering for LGBTI CSOs with precarious or no funding..”. As for Pan Africa ILGA, it wrote: “is it (the report) a favor they are doing to the LGBTIQ+ community and therefore see no need to invest financial resources into it…?” The Bank representatives hastily left the conversation.
US News
NYTimes: “This is not partnership building.”
Two GLAAD-coordinated letters hit the New York Times simultaneously last week, demanding they change their trans coverage and denouncing their “dangerous obsession” with trans issues (read here). The letters got fantastic publicity. It triggered a sanctimonious reply letter from the editor explaining journalistic policies as well as a well-timed GLAAD fundraising campaign. I was in DC this week, and while in public, leading figures celebrated the showdown in private; most noted - not unlike a previous campaign for an LGBTQ constitutional amendment - GLAAD’s grandstanding “is not partnership building”. Not everything that feels good or is lucrative is good for the community in the long run. As for the paper, this letter from journalists to the union was an exciting side drama. As a regular reader, my view is that The New York Times could indeed improve its coverage of trans issues by also covering positive stories: such as those of happy trans youth, progress in economic inclusion, and societal acceptance. However, the Times should be free to explore this constantly evolving field, including medical malpractice, without being called “transphobic.” To add to the confusion, in the following days, the Times both published an article in defense of JK Rowling and a sympathetic piece on parents of trans kids: “When Parents Hear That Their Child ‘Is Not Normal and Should Not Exist”.
Only in America: George Santos co-sponsors an LGBTQ+ Book Ban
It is one thing that the Republicans resurrected the touching tradition of Autodafé; it is another that our only - and already very embarrassing - gay conservative representative co-sponsor it. This week, the unholy alliance of Marjorie Taylor Green - leader of the troll caucus - and George Santos - leader of the filthy liar's caucus - are co-sponsoring with other nuts a bill that would ban LGBTQ+ books in classrooms. Read about it here.
Meet the new crusaders: Moms 4 liberty
Speaking about Autodafés, the Pennsylvania Capital-Star had a depressing article about Moms 4 Liberty (M4L for the in-crowd). This American conservative 501 nonprofit organization claims to advocate for parental rights in schools. What is striking is how organized the group is regarding local elections. A call for supporting the Victory Fund in its crucial work!
“M4L tends to follow a predictable playbook. If a particular school board is not responsive to the organization’s demands, M4L mobilizes its membership to put forth a slate of right-wing candidates for the next election. “
Under fire: the MAP report
The Movement Advancement Project published a report entitled “Under Fire: The War on LGBTQ People in America”. From 2019 to 2020, the number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced increased from 102 to 185. From 2020 to 2021, that number climbed to 268. Naomi Goldberg, deputy director and LGBTQ+ policy director at MAP, wrote:
“Individual policy issues like school censorship bills and bans on transgender youth playing sports have captured national attention, but seeing these as individual flash points misses the larger context of the fast, furious, and coordinated attacks on LGBTQ people.”
The Boardroom
Take and share the inaugural LGBTQ+ Boardroom survey
What is the experience of LGBTQ+ people in the Boardroom? What bottlenecks do recruiters, Nom/Gov Committees, and Corporate Secretaries see as preventing fair representation? We just launched the first iteration of our annual survey for existing and aspiring LGBTQ+ Directors, recruiters, nom/gov committees, and corporate secretaries: link here. If this describes you, kindly take the survey and share it (see QR Code below). It is open until March 15th.
Our letter to Gensler
The Association of LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors wrote to the Securities Exchange Commission’s Chairman Gensler to request an update on efforts to amend the SEC’s definition of diversity. The SEC indicated that its 2023 priorities comprise a modernized Corporate Board Diversity rule (RIN: 3235-AL91), a long overdue item. We are eager for it to include specific language on sexual orientation and gender identity. Companies under the SEC's jurisdiction have complete leeway in defining “diversity” as “a board member from Rhode Island and one from New Jersey; we are okay.
Preparing for the 2023 Proxy Season
Proxy season is the time between mid-April to mid-June when most large, publicly traded companies host their annual meeting and when the shareholders go over the company's financial performance and then vote on issues stated on the proxy voting card. This proxy season will be transformational for our matter with the NASDAQ data being compiled (who is compiling? reach out to us). Read more about a proxy season like no other here.
The semi-cultural desk
Sam Brinton is back in the news
While George Santos almost got a break this week, Sam Brinton was back in the news. Sam was in court this week (see here) over the stolen luggage saga and was released without bail. But perhaps more importantly, it was a declaration by their family in the New York Post claiming their conversion therapy story - which was the topic of this 2018 New York Times op-ed - was made up, which triggered headlines. Because Sam Brinton was head of advocacy and government affairs at The Trevor Project, this could have negative consequences.
George Santos gets an opportunity to tell his side of the story
In an hour-long interview with Piers Morgan, Santos ruined the “tie under crewneck” look forever. It’s cringe-worthy. Between him and Rick Grenell, conservative gays never were lucky. I think you should watch it for yourself.
Don Lemon is no longer in timeout
Don Lemon is returning to CNN today after his sexist on-air comments about women and their ages. The anchor “has agreed to participate in formal training.” He was photographed over the weekend at a luxury resort in Miami Beach - I won’t make any comment on his shape, given his advanced age (56) (see here). Just kidding!
Tchaikovsky’s wife - do not fall for a gay man
A new Russian movie about Tchaikovsky’s wife is an unexpected take on the plight of the wives of closeted (well, somewhat closeted) gay men. Homophobia affects all of society, not just LGBTQ+ people. See the trailer below:
James Kirchick strikes again
In Politico, Kirchik thinks the James Webb telescope controversy was misguided in a piece entitled NASA Refused to Cancel James Webb. Good. This is an excellent illustration of the problems in our echo chamber and how it almost becomes impossible to dissent when we err.
French actor Vincent Cassel and his pearls
Vincent Cassel gave us a lecture in The Guardian on gender equality and masculinity in The Guardian. As a reminder, Cassel is the villain in Ocean 12 & 13. Édifiant:
“If men become too feminine there’s going to be a problem”
Out Czech Soccer player Jakub Jankto gets warm reception
The 27-year-old Czech midfielder, currently on loan to Sparta Prague from his club Getafe, became one of the first active footballers to reveal his homosexuality last week. On Sunday, as he showed up as a gay man on the field, his fans warmly welcomed him. Read about it here.
I just bought the book version of the French Coming Out podcast
Élise Goldfarb and Julia Layani, two young activists, decided to create the Coming Out podcast. Broadcast on Spotify since 2020, its mission is to give voice to LGBTQ+ personalities so that they can tell their intimate and professional journey of coming out. Recorded in a Parisian apartment, between the sofa and the coffee table, the podcast met with immense success with more than 1.5 million listens. It is now a book. Here. Does anybody want to create the US version with me? Or sponsor it?
Coming and going
USAID LGBTQ+ advertises an advisor position
It might sound like a nightmare to some, but “tous les gouts sont dans la nature!”. USAID as a Senior LGBTQ+ Advisor position open.
Gigi Sohn saga is not over
As I mentioned in a previous newsletter, the insane Senate delay in approving out lesbian Gigi Sohn's nomination for commissioner of the FCC is a clear sign that she should get the seat. This week, the New York Post tried to amp public fears by claiming a secret Biden plan to make Gigi the chair of the FCC. Read more about the fight here.
Dan Rothmann jumps ship
The openly gay President & CEO for North America at Dolce & Gabbana announced he was jumping ship to Etro this week. Read the announcement here.
The Gay Agenda
June 5th: Join me at Outright’s gala in NYC
The 2023 Celebration of Courage awards and gala are around the corner! Let me know if your company is interested in sponsoring a table or buying tickets. The Annual event, which was the best gala of the 2022 season, returns with a revenge.
July/August: Summer School on LGBTQ+ and the law
I hear Fire Island feels like the outer banks these days: why don’t you study this summer instead? You can now apply for the sixth edition of Leiden University’s Summer School on Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity in International Law (The Hague, Leiden & Amsterdam, 25 July to 4 August). As a side bonus, the annual Sutch Pride parades take place at that time.
Thank you for reading. I spent a lovely few days with my sons in DC, reminding me that one must be deranged to live in NYC with kids (a belief shared by my downstairs neighbor). Please take and share our survey.
About the story from Israel on Yair Sherky, a popular ultra-orthodox reporter in prime time TV coming out.
Indeed it is encouraging. His father previously said homophobic shit though I think his response now was more muted. Actually I'm not even sure how to interpret it. He said he just wishes for his son to have kids from a woman (which is what many gay Israelis do, through surrogacy).
But even as public perception is very positive about LGBTQI+ people and there were good reactions to Sherky's coming out, our extremist government can do a lot of damage to our community. Many of Netanyahu's supporters wholeheartedly support the regime change (there's no other legitimate way to describe it). As most progress for our community was achieved through the Supreme Court, we can't expect protection anymore, when the court loses its independence (as well as the government's legal advisors and other civil servants).
Take a small example, they just finished a first stage in the legislation of a law that would enable the rabbinical courts to handle cases of civil matters (they used to be restricted to divorce). Supposedly this would be limit to when both parties consent to submit to the rabbinical court, but we assume some marginalized parties, particularly women, would be compelled to do so, and there they would not be judged by the Israeli law but by the interpretation of the Bible. Oh, and the government wants to lower the status of the primary law that enshrines (only some) human rights.