Fabrice Houdart | A weekly newsletter on LGBTQ+ Equality
This week: UK Court Decision, Hungary’s GREY Pride, anxieties around World Pride 2025, the Culture War dispatch, Coachella, Eurovision, le Puy du Fou, and other shennanigans…
This week’s stories—from the UK Supreme Court’s ruling on trans rights to Colombia’s mourning of Sara Millerey—underscore just how precarious life is for trans people globally. Cast as scapegoats in a reactionary longing for an idealized, traditional past, they are becoming the witches of our era. In this context, our community must constantly reiterate our support for dignity and economic access for trans people. On a brighter note, this week I write on how cultural powerhouses like Coachella, Eurovision and even… the Puy du Fou (where I strangely spent the weekend) continue to be unapologetically queer and I guide you to pictures of Claybourne Elder in a kilt.
This week: UK Court Decision, Hungary’s GREY Pride, anxieties around World Pride 2025, the Culture War dispatch, Coachella, Eurovision, le Puy du Fou, and other shennanigans…
Global News
UK: Supreme Court Interprets Equality Act
The UK Supreme Court unanimously ruled that under the Equality Act 2010, the term "woman" refers exclusively to biological sex, excluding even transgender women with Gender Recognition Certificates. As Justice Lord Hodge stated, the provisions relating to sex discrimination “can only be interpreted as referring to biological sex.” This ruling represents a setback for trans inclusion in public life, particularly in single-sex spaces and public boards, but is also interpreted as a sign for future policy decisions globally. Read more on the BBC.
The unanimous decision of this court is that the terms woman and sex in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex. But we counsel against reading this judgement as a triumph of one or more groups in our society at the expense of another; it is not.
Hungary: A Satirical Grey Pride
Thousands of Hungarians gathered in Budapest’s Heroes’ Square dressed in grey, chanting "Death to Colours" and "Being Uniform Is Cool" to ridicule Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s recent ban on Pride marches. Organized by the satirical Two-Tailed Dog Party, the demonstration highlighted growing discontent with the government’s constitutional amendment defining gender as strictly male or female, prioritizing so-called "child protection" to justify LGBTQ+ repression, and banning pride. As Orbán’s Fidesz faces a mounting opposition challenge ahead of the 2026 elections, critics warn these anti-LGBTQ+ moves signal not only an assault on minorities but also on democracy itself, prompting calls across Europe for stronger, coordinated responses (read ILGA’s letter to the EC). See in Nouvel Obs.
Russia: An “Ideological Visa” for Homophobes
76 Crimes reveals this week that since August 2024, Russia has introduced an “ideological visa” aimed at citizens from 47 Western countries who share what the Kremlin calls “traditional spiritual and moral values”—a thinly veiled appeal to anti-LGBTQ+ individuals (see the application process on this embassy’s website). Signed into law by Vladimir Putin, the visa grants a renewable three-year stay and a path to permanent residency, notably without requiring Russian language proficiency. This move solidifies the country’s status as a haven for reactionary ideology, building on a decade of escalating anti-LGBT+ legislation, including bans on so-called “LGBT propaganda,” the constitutional prohibition of same-sex marriage, the criminalization of gender transitions, and the labeling of the international LGBT+ movement as “extremist”.
Colombia: The Brutal Killing of Sara Millerey
The murder of Sara Millerey González, a beloved 32-year-old trans woman in Bello, Antioquia, has become a symbol of Colombia’s urgent reckoning with anti-trans violence. On April 4, Sara was tortured and thrown into a polluted creek in broad daylight as bystanders filmed. She died the following day. President Gustavo Petro has called for a thorough investigation, while LGBTQ+ activists demand the declaration of a national emergency on anti-LGBTQI+ violence. The case has reignited calls for protection policies and accountability as Colombia records 24 LGBTQ+ murders in just the first three months of 2025. 🔗 Read the full feature in El País (in Spanish).
US News
World Pride 2025: Between Anxiety and Boycotts
I told our team at Koppa that I consider the IDAHOBIT in a month a test for what Pride will look like this year. As for WorldPride 2025, it’s not looking too good. LGBTQ+ organizations from Canada to South Africa are pulling out of the planned festivities in D.C., citing not just political discomfort but fear, especially for trans and nonbinary travelers. Countries including Denmark, Germany, and Ireland have issued travel advisories. At the same time, leaders like Helen Kennedy of Egale Canada warn that even valid visas may not protect trans travelers from discriminatory entry denials. Organizers, acknowledging the fraught climate, are considering issuing their travel warnings. It’s hard to call it WorldPride when swaths of the world are afraid—or unable—to come. Read more about it in The Washington Post.
I didn’t think it was safe for my staff, specifically my gender diverse staff, to go and so this is the position that we’ve taken.
LGBTQ+ Nonprofits Face New Threats to Tax-Exempt Status
LGBTQ+ nonprofits have good reasons to be concerned about their tax-exempt status following this administration's actions, including threats to revoke Harvard University's tax-exempt status. Legal experts warn that these moves could politicize the IRS and undermine the nonprofit sector's role in advocating for marginalized communities. Bloomberg Law News
FBI Arrests Queer Suspect in Firebombings
Jamison Wagner, 40, was arrested in a dramatic FBI raid in New Mexico, accused of firebombing both a Tesla showroom and the Republican Party’s state office. The suspect, reportedly affiliated with the LGBTQ+ group 500 Queer Scientists, was captured shirtless and charged with two counts of malicious destruction of property, each carrying up to 20 years in prison. Authorities say Wagner torched vehicles and scrawled swastikas and anti-Tesla messages at the dealership, and later vandalized the GOP office with political graffiti including “ICE = KKK.” A new FBI task force, created to address politically motivated attacks on Tesla, tracked Wagner down through surveillance footage and evidence found at his home. Officials have labeled the incidents “domestic terrorism” and vowed to prosecute without plea deals. See on the DOJ’s website.
When the Alphabet Is a Dog Whistle
Monday, bathroom obsessive Rep. Nancy Mace tweeted, “I want our kids to learn about A-E-I-O-U instead of L-G-B-T-Q,” turning a tired anti-LGBTQ+ trope into yet another culture war punchline. The viral response from educator Zoë Rose Bryant — “Hi, pre-k teacher here... this week we’re working on S-T-F-U” — (as in "Shut the f*ck up" for our neophyte friends) got noticed. It would be more fun if LGBTQ+ people were constantly, compulsively inserted into U.S. political narratives, often as fabricated threats to children or education. That a sitting congresswoman can casually tweet such a statement speaks to how little success US LGBTQ+ organizations have had in reclaiming the pen. They might need to build an organization dedicated to holding media and public figures accountable for this kind of rhetoric.
Queering the Boardroom
Queer Voices in the Boardroom
To kick off the Association’s 2025 webinar series, I hosted four openly LGBTQ+ board members—Caroline Angoorly, Jace Hernandez, Holden Lee, and Richard Socarides—for a rare discussion on navigating board service as queer professionals. These "unicorns of the boardroom" generously shared their journeys into corporate governance, highlighting key themes of intentionality, strategic networking, and the power of authenticity. See below:
Boardroom Moves
In this week’s corporate shuffle, Geoffroy van Raemdonck, openly gay former CEO of Neiman Marcus Group, joins the board of Exclusive Resorts, bringing luxury expertise and LGBTQ+ representation to the travel sector. Meanwhile, Alexander M. van Noordende, a seasoned out executive, is no longer on the Wall Street Journal CEO Council’s website.
The Gay Business
The latest on the DEI saga
Constellation Brands —which owns the rights to sell the Mexican-made beers Corona, Modelo, and Pacifico in the U.S.— felt the need to announce it was downsizing its DEI team, ending LGBTQ+ advocacy efforts, and withdrawing from the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index. Robby Starbuck took credit. However, while weekly headlines suggest a mass retreat, the data tells a more complex story: only 19% of companies are cutting DEI funding, with many quietly shifting language and strategy rather than abandoning inclusion altogether.
London to Accenture: No Diversity, No Deal
London Mayor Sadiq Khan blocked Accenture from bidding on Transport for London’s £50 million marketing overhaul after the consulting giant scrapped its DEI commitments under pressure from U.S. executive orders. The decision, in line with TfL’s strict supplier diversity criteria, signals that the UK capital is holding firm where others are folding. Accenture’s rollback—which included ending demographic-specific career programs and halting DEI data sharing—may have helped it dodge political heat in Washington, but cost it valuable business in London. See here.
No Website? No Problem — Out in Tech Has You Covered
Since 2017, Out in Tech has built over 250 free websites for LGBTQ+ organizations worldwide — and this year, they’re back to offer 20–30 more. The initiative, powered entirely by volunteers, prioritizes groups without an existing web presence who can clearly articulate why they need one. If your organization is ready for a digital upgrade, apply now.
Fifteen Years of Grindr
In a piece published yesterday, Le Monde examined how Grindr has shaped the sexuality of an entire generation of young gay men. Marking 15 years since the app’s launch, the article explores the emotional and psychological costs of a platform built on speed, body norms, and transactional desire. The article highlights the exclusionary nature of the app, from fatphobia to the marginalization of people living with HIV, echoing themes found in Thibault Lambert’s new book, Ce que Grindr a fait de nous.
The semi-cultural desk
Drag, Drama & Delusion at Puy du Fou
I spent the weekend at Puy du Fou, a historical theme park, with my 12-year-olds, expecting history, tradition, and perhaps a bit of French revisionism (notorious homophobic Philippe de Villiers created the park). Instead, I found myself transported to the campiest pageant on this side of Versailles. Beneath the booming voice-overs, flaming Roman arenas with shirtless gladiators in leather dresses, and implausibly synchronized Vikings, what stood out wasn’t so much a lesson in French history as a masterclass in gay pageantry. There were knights in shimmering tunics to bishops rising in smoke à la Beyoncé, everything screamed drag, myth, and flamboyant masculinity — albeit in very straight-faced packaging. The subtext was devout, nationalist, and Christian, but my queer-coded radar kept blinking like it was Badlands in the early 2000s.
What to watch? Black Mirror Season 7
Now that White Lotus is over, you have the choice between Last of Us Season 2 on Max and Season 7 of Black Mirror (see NYTimes review), which is back with six new episodes that feel both timely and ruthless in their critique of tech-fueled late-stage capitalism. The standout opener, Common People, skewers subscription models and healthcare systems in a way that feels painfully close to home. But it’s Hotel Reverie that offers a rare emotional punch, especially for queer viewers. Issa Rae and Emma Corrin deliver a slow-burning love story set in a 1940s film simulation.
Eurovision as a Queer Sanctuary
With the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest set to light up Basel, Switzerland on May 10, it's woth remembering its long-standing status as a glittering epicenter of queer culture. In his new book Queerovision, journalist Fabien Randanne traces the rainbow threads connecting Eurovision to our community, painting it as a “safe place” of expression, joy, and resistance. From Dana International’s trailblazing trans victory in 1998 to Conchita Wurst’s iconic 2014 win, Eurovision has consistently offered a platform to those too often sidelined elsewhere. See here.
Coachella 2025 Queers the Stage
I mostly listen to Billy Joel and Supertramp, but I am told that Coachella 2025's first weekend was super gay, bringing out Troye Sivan (in a “Protect the Dolls” tee, no less), Billie Eilish, and Lorde for a surprise power pop summit. Meanwhile, the new Q+amp Camp gave LGBTQ+ fans a VIP haven with drag shows, community events, and excellent shade—literally and metaphorically. With sets from Clairo, Japanese Breakfast, Trixie Mattel, and even punk godparents Green Day showing love, Coachella 2025 proved once again that the future of music is queer. In Gay Community News.
A Love That Went Down with the Ship?
I liek this story in Out Magazine, which I think I knew and forgot: the assumptions around Archibald Butt and Francis Davis Millet’s relationship. Both prominent in Washington society, the military aide and the celebrated artist shared a home and hosted salons. They embarked on a European vacation together just before boarding the Titanic in 1912. Though they booked separate rooms on the ill-fated ship, many historians believe the two were a romantic couple—an early example of a “don’t ask, don’t tell” dynamic in high society. Their story is now honored by the National Park Service as part of LGBTQ+ history, with a fountain in D.C. memorializing the men “widely believed to have been romantically involved.”
Claybourne Elder in a Kilt
Ron Amato photographed Claybourne Elder for Out Magazine. I hate to brag, but I happen to know this dashing Mormon-turned-gay-dad-turned-kilted-heartthrob. The vibe is kindness with cheekbones.
Coming and Going
Farewell, Maisie Trollette
Brighton’s Kemp Town streets were filled with feathers, tears, and fierce love this week as crowds gathered to bid farewell to David Raven, better known as Maisie Trollette, Britain’s oldest working drag queen. A true icon of queer resistance and joy, Maisie entertained generations with equal parts camp and courage. At 91, she was still performing. Rest in power, Maisie 🕊️. Photos here.
The Gay Agenda
April 21-27: Lesbian Visibility Week
Mark your calendars: next week lesbian and queer women are being celebrated not as footnotes in queer history, but as the main event. First observed on April 28, 1982, in Canada, International Lesbian Visibility Week is part of the fight against lesbophobia and the erasure of lesbians.
Well, that’s it for this week. I’m spending a few quiet days in Brittany for the twins’ Spring Break—and, if I’m honest, also hiding a bit. It’s my birthday this week, which usually makes me more pensive than usual. I’ve started drafting a reflection on how it’s rich for gay people of my generation to hear the majority tell us that they’d like us to tone down our requests for Equality. So expect more spam this week.
Wishing you the birthday you most need and want, and a next trip around the sun that astonished us with its surprise delights!