Fabrice Houdart | A weekly newsletter on LGBTQ+ Equality
This week: the UN vote, smear campaigns in Argentina and Russia, intersectionality vs. political singularity, London Pride, RIP USAID, a lot of documentaries, some LGBTQ+ departures, and much more…
What stands out this week is a win at the United Nations Human Rights Council—a sign that some countries may be softening their stance and that the once-solid OIC coalition is beginning to fracture. Yet, this progress contrasts with ongoing challenges in the global equality movement, including recent setbacks in international funding, coordination efforts, and more looming. A more genuinely international approach—one that shares the spotlight, favors informal diplomacy, and creates space for voices from India, Mexico, Europe, and beyond—may be key to revitalizing and strengthening the movement. The elephant in the room is this week’s question by Geoffroy de Lagasnerie in Libération: should our movement embrace all struggles?
This week: the UN vote, smear campaigns in Argentina and Russia, intersectionality vs. political singularity, London Pride, RIP USAID, a lot of documentaries, some LGBTQ+ departures, and much more…
Global News
United Nations: Independent Expert’s Mandate Renewed
The United Nations Human Rights Council voted to renew the mandate of the Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (IESOGI), currently held by Graeme Reid of South Africa, for another three years. The resolution passed with 29 votes in favor, 15 against, and three abstentions. It is worth examining the voting record below: for example, Ghana abstained (as a reminder, in early 2025, the US withdrew from the Council again), while Kenya and South Africa voted in favor. Advocacy from civil society, including ILGA World (which is currently facing a funding crisis) and allied diplomats, played a crucial role in the outcome. Read more.
Argentina: LGBTQ+ Advocate Faces Hate
National Deputy Esteban Paulón, one of the country's most visible LGBTQ+ advocates, was being publicly labeled a pedophile and wished death by AIDS. The smears aired on La Misa, a far-right streaming show closely tied to President Javier Milei and his inner circle, where hosts ridiculed Paulón for his sexual orientation under the guise of satire. Paulón, who has long denounced rising hate speech under Milei’s administration, is now seeking legal redress.
Russia: Iconic Bookshop Faces Second LGBTQ+ Propaganda Charge
St. Petersburg’s beloved independent bookstore Podpisnye Izdaniya is facing a second charge under Russia’s “LGBT propaganda” law. Already fined €8,700 and forced to remove 48 queer and feminist titles—including Susan Sontag—the store is back in court, a chilling reminder of how fast cultural repression turns into policy. Read more in Novaya Gazeta.
France: Should Pride Embrace All Struggles?
In an op-ed in Libération (July 7), Geoffroy de Lagasnerie questions whether LGBTQ+ Pride marches should continue to align with broader political causes, such as anti-capitalism, anti-racism, and feminism, or refocus on their original purpose. Lagasnerie critiques what he sees as the increasingly “generalized” nature of Pride messaging, arguing that while solidarity with other struggles is laudable, it risks erasing the specificity of queer oppression. His call is not for isolationism, but for clarity: LGBTQ+ people are not a metaphor for universal injustice, and Pride must remain a site of political singularity.
London Pride Conquers… Eternal Damnation?
This year’s London Pride drew over 1.5 million attendees, 500 organizations, six sound stages, and—predictably—some complaints. As Progress Pride flags fluttered above Regent Street, Mayor Sadiq Khan declared, “You are free to be whoever you want to be,” which triggered a theological meltdown across the Atlantic. The Christian Post reports on commentaries likeningthe flags to Nazi symbolism, declaring London “conquered,” and issuing bold warnings of “eternal punishment later.” (Honestly, that sounds like half the Grindr profiles in Soho.)
East Africa: LGBTQ+ Refugees Face a Shifting Threat Landscape
As The Guardian reports, Kenya’s “family protection” bill would not only criminalize queer life but also introduce a “morality clause” that could disqualify LGBTQ+ asylum seekers. Refugees supported by Nairobi’s Nature Network—a shelter and mutual aid group founded by Ugandans—now find their safety again under threat, with US conservative groups and funding cuts adding to the pressure. Read the full story here.
Jessica Stern’s Interview
Speaking from Seville at the UN development aid summit, former U.S. Special Envoy Jessica Stern, now a fellow at Harvard, warned of a globally coordinated, well-funded backlash against LGBTQ+ rights. Read her interview with El País.
My biggest goal was to expand U.S. foreign policy, to bring human rights more into the discourse, and to make sure that we were not leaving anyone behind.
US News
Civil Rights Can’t Wait for Public Opinion
In a rebuttal to critics of the recent U.S. v. Skrmetti decision, including the lengthy New York Times exposé, Kevin Jennings of Lambda Legal argues in the Washington Post that the push for trans rights at the Supreme Court is neither premature nor reckless. Drawing parallels with Loving v. Virginia or Obergefell v. Hodges, Jennings reminds us that landmark victories rarely align with majority public opinion. Despite a majority of Americans still opposing gender-affirming care for minors, Jennings believes the case was unavoidable given the proliferation of anti-trans legislation.
You choose cases based on whether they’re right — not whether they are popular.
USAID’s Closure
USAID is officially defunct (check out the website), the Global Equality Fund has gone with it (I am told the State Department is reimbursing donor countries) — and one wonders if LGBTQ+ Americans even noticed. As Chloe Schwenke, the agency’s only openly transgender political appointee, recounts in The Washington Blade, USAID’s legacy — from pioneering its first LGBTQI+ policy to engaging governments like Uganda’s through quiet, persistent diplomacy — created space for civil society and dialogue. This infrastructure is not coming back.
The Fracturing of LGBTQ+ Solidarity
This MSN story suggests the Trump administration is pursuing a deliberate “divide and conquer” strategy that threatens LGBTQ+ unity in the U.S. From rolling back trans-inclusive federal IDs to banning gender-affirming care and scrubbing trans visibility from national monuments under the banner of “common sense,” the administration has worked to isolate the trans community—the result: deepening fractures within LGBTQ advocacy. That may be true, but an unresolved crisis of leadership, greed, and collective amnesia also bears responsibility.
Fighting Back In Local Legislatures
In an op-ed this week, former Pennsylvania Rep. Brian Sims and Chris Cormier Maggiano, co-founder of Agenda PAC, argue that performative Pride isn’t enough in 2025. With anti-LGBTQ+ laws spreading and the Supreme Court dealing fresh blows to equality, the pair outline how two political action committees—Agenda PAC and Fight For Our Rights PAC—are going on offense.
Queering the Boardroom
See You This afternoon!
Join us today at 3 PM EDT as the Association of LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors hosts "Ace Your Board Materials," a live webinar with board readiness expert Debra Wheatman. Register here.
Departures Outpace New Appointments
The Association’s year-on-year review suggests that LGBTQ+ representation is stagnating or even declining. According to our data (see here), from July 2024 to July 2025, the number of LGBTQ+ departures from board and executive roles (49) in our network has significantly outpaced confirmed nominations (30). The imbalance highlights the importance of focusing on building pipelines, networks, and being intentional.
Movements in the Boardroom
This week, Rob Smith announced his upcoming departure from the board of Steven Madden, Ltd., and Joey Gonzalez stepped down as CEO of Barry’s to become Executive Chairman.
Your Summer Strategy Starts Here
UNC Law’s Director Diversity Initiative (DDI) is offering free, high-impact webinars. On July 15, Targeting Board Databases (register here). On August 12, a Primer on Financial Statements (register here), followed by August 20’s session on Training and Certifications (register here). Then, on September 16, dive into PE Portfolio Company Boards (register here), and wrap with October 23’s essential workshop on The Board Interview (register here). Bonus: Join DDI in Washington, DC, September 18–19 at the Boardroom Summit & Peer Exchange—use code UNC25 to save 25%.
The Gay Business
Grindr: Between Connection and Predation
A disturbing rise in anti-LGBTQ+ assaults across Australia (see here) reveals how Grindr’s very features—anonymity, location tracking, and minimal moderation—can be weaponized against its users. Fake profiles lure victims into meetups that end in violence, humiliation, and blackmail, often filmed and posted online.
Making Room for Inclusive Finance
This Fall, Koppa will host the inaugural Global LGBTQ+ Inclusive Finance Forum at the Deutsche Bank Center in New York City (Oct 9–10): how do we scale inclusive finance for LGBTQ+ people globally, especially in the Global South? We're still seeking partnerships for the event. If you see potential in LGBTQ+ ETFs or other investment vehicles, such as empowerment funds or queer-led venture ecosystems, this is the table we’re setting. Reach out. There’s room for you.
Semi-cultural desk
What to read? Hollywood’s Hidden LGBTQ+ History
Michael Koresky’s Sick and Dirty is a sharp, accessible deep dive into how queerness survived—and even shaped—Hollywood during the censorship-heavy mid-20th century. If you’re interested in classic film or LGBTQ+ history, it’s a brilliant, well-researched read that offers fresh insights. See in the Washington Post.
The Pines Invasion Turns 50
Last weekend, the 50th Invasion of the Pines delivered its usual cocktail of sequins, slogans, and poolside performances — a tribute to Terry Warren’s 1976 protest. See the pictures in Out Magazine. I wrote in 2017 that Fire Island was “a beautiful but barren stage”: I plan to return briefly in mid-July to see how things have changed.
On Russell Tovey
On Dinner’s On Me, Russell Tovey joins Jesse Tyler Ferguson for what feels like the queerest therapy session ever. Tovey opens up about growing up under Section 28, trans solidarity, and his bulldog Rocky. Read more here
“Hidden Once, Hidden Twice”
Photographer Morgan Lieberman’s ongoing project, Hidden Once, Hidden Twice, featured on NPR this week, is a powerful, deeply intimate portrait of senior lesbian couples across the U.S. From rodeo queens in Santa Fe to feminist scholars in Missoula, the series beautifully counters the erasure that so often defines lesbian history, particularly in its elder chapters.
What to Watch? George Platt Lynes documentary
In The Guardian, Sam Shahid’s documentary Hidden Master: The Legacy of George Platt Lynes shines a light on a forgotten pioneer of queer photography. Lynes moved between Vogue shoots and private nudes for Kinsey, capturing a glamorous, pre-Stonewall world of art, sex, and bohemian life.
What To Do This Week in NYC? Heightened Scrutiny
Heightened Scrutiny offers an intimate and urgent look at ACLU attorney Chase Strangio as he prepares for and argues the Skrmetti case before the U.S. Supreme Court. Now playing in a limited run at DCTV’s Firehouse Cinema in NYC: with some special engagements until July 24th. More info here.
Del Stone Jr.’s TikTok Video
TikToker and writer Del Stone Jr. ask: “Has a drag queen ever knocked on your door trying to convert you?” in this video that has gone viral:
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My Children’s Typology of Gay Men (and Other Stereo Types)
My children, idle since they escaped summer school, have developed a profoundly unscientific way of categorizing gay men. According to them, there are three types: “weregays” (based on werewolves), “slay gays” (fabulous and unapologetically extra 24/7), and “intellectual gays” (no comment). They’ve since been enthusiastically assigning labels to their various fathers, friends, and acquaintances, causing, predictably, a few bruised egos. It reminded me of this Reddit post:
I once asked my son what he had learned at school. He said, “Gay men like Sony, lesbians favor Yamaha, and trans people prefer Bose.” I knelt, put a hand on his shoulder, and said: “Son, those are just stereo types”
Coming and Going
Sally Susman Leaves Pfizer After 18 Years
After nearly two decades shaping Pfizer’s global voice and navigating it through historic moments—including the pandemic—Sally Susman is preparing to step down as Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at the end of 2025. See her announcement on LinkedIn.
Dominic Arnall Departs Open for Business
After an impactful 2.5-year tenure as CEO of Open for Business, where he expanded its global LGBTQ+ economic advocacy to over 24 countries and doubled the organization’s size, Arnall has announced he will step down at the end of August. On September 1, he will become CEO of Ditch the Label, a UK-based youth charity. See on LinkedIn.
Kelley Robinson Returns from Parental Leave
Back from new parent leave, HRC President Kelley Robinson shared her Independence Day message, claiming “We are America at its most authentic.” (see also her interview in InStyle).
Michael Foote, Chaos Agent of Queer Justice
The Cut introduced us to Michael Foote this week, a queer criminal-defense attorney who has become something of a cult figure for his fearless legal work—and TikToks in mesh tops. Foote, who’s battling ICE in court while crafting a novel about a drag queen framed for murder, has more than 300K followers. I could not figure out which quote to highlight, and this is what I settled on:
So many people who were twinks went on to do incredible things. Look at Pete Buttigieg. Look at Chasten. Look at Lindsey Graham.
French Intellectual Laurent Kupferman Dies at 59
Laurent Kupferman, renowned essayist and champion of French republican values, was found dead last week in a private residence in Fontainebleau at age 59. Known for his work on Freemasonry and his key role in bringing Joséphine Baker to the Panthéon, Kupferman’s death reignited the public debate on chemsex. Early reports suggest two men were with him that night and are now in custody; synthetic drugs may have played a role. Read more on 20minutes.
The Republicans like Scott Bessent
Semafor reports today that conservatives love Scott (I wonder if Ric Grenell is jealous). Still, they don’t want him to chair the Federal Reserve in addition to his role as Treasury Secretary. The Blade also has a piece today on how LGBTQ+ staff at Treasury are not feeling the love.
The Gay Agenda
July 17: Speaking at ICGN in NYC
Next week, I’ll join the International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN) 30th Anniversary Conference in NYC. I’ll be speaking alongside leaders from IFC, CalSTRS, and TD Asset Management on how company culture and talent strategy directly impact value creation, and what boards must do to avoid groupthink and foster innovation. Register here.
Well, that’s it for this week. I’ve officially entered summer mode, which means doing a few self-indulgent things not entirely related to la lutte (gasp!): like riding my bicycle through Riverside Park in tight Lycra outfits marked “Peugeot”, reading « La Guerre par d'autres moyens » (a nice reflection on human thirst for power), and watching “L’Attachement” while sighing dramatically and lecturing my children on the art of conversation. In short, the summer is my opportunity to be unbearably French.