Fabrice Houdart | A weekly newsletter on LGBTQ+ Equality
This week: Seoul and Sofia Pride, premature Pride post-mortems, Sarah McBride on our complacency, Grenell and the “normal gays,” Hetero Awesome Fest, and more shenanigans…
The past few days in New York have been a carousel of lunches with corporate gays and one rainy protest with my kids—an outing my mother later suggested was both “manipulative” and “dangerous.” (Thanks, Mom.) Despite Pride’s visible success, there’s a more profound shift underway. As Sarah McBride writes, our community is shedding what no longer serves us—and asking what tools we’ll need next. Koppa’s new survey is one answer. Let’s get into it.
This week: Seoul and Sofia Pride, premature Pride post-mortems, Sarah McBride on our complacency, Grenell and the “normal gays,” Hetero Awesome Fest, and more shenanigans…
Global News
Bulgaria: Sofia Pride 2025 Stands Tall
On June 14, the 18th edition of Sofia Pride marched under the defiant theme “We Are People, Not Propaganda”, drawing thousands to the streets of Bulgaria’s capital despite rising hostility and SIX (!) announced counter-protests. Organized by GLAS, Bilitis, LGBTI Deiystvie, and the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee, and backed by embassies and major corporate sponsors, the event highlighted both the resilience of Bulgaria’s LGBTQ+ community and the mounting challenges they face — from rejected public ads to security threats. 🔗 More in The Sofia Globe
Seoul: Hopes for Progress Under New Liberal Leadership
Last week Seoul's Queer Culture Festival drew tens of thousands to the streets under the blazing summer sun, marking a hopeful turning point for South Korea’s LGBTQ+ community following the election of liberal President Lee Jae-myung. Though Lee has yet to state his stance on LGBTQ+ rights clearly, his rise to power—after the impeachment of conservative predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol—has injected cautious optimism into a movement long stifled by religious opposition and political neglect. The event’s slogan, “We Never Stop,” reflected perseverance and defiance after years of state hostility, including last year’s attempt to block the festival altogether. Despite an estimated 30,000 attendees and a strong international presence, there were also counter-protests by conservative groups. 🔗 Read the full article via Reuters
UK: GMP Chief’s Refusal to Apologize for Past Homophobia
We cannot even secure a police apology these days? The Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Stephen Watson has refused to apologize for the force’s history of homophobic policing, calling a blanket apology “unjust” and “performative.” Peter Tatchell labeled the refusal “an insult” to a community once subjected to some of the UK’s most hostile police actions, particularly during the 1980s under then-Chief Constable James Anderton, who notoriously described gay men as “swirling in a cesspit.” While 21 other UK police forces have issued formal apologies as part of the #ApologiseNow campaign, Constable Watson decided it was worth taking a stance on. 🔗 Full article via The Independent
Czech Republic: Legal Gender Change Without Surgery
On June 12, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) unanimously found that requiring sterilization or surgery for legal gender recognition violates the right to respect for private life, as enshrined in Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The case was brought by T.H., a non-binary Czech citizen assigned male at birth, who sought to update the gender marker on their national ID without undergoing invasive medical procedures. The Czech government had argued that legal sex must reflect biological sex, but the Court rejected this stance, affirming that bodily autonomy is a fundamental right. Although it dismissed additional complaints of discrimination and inhuman treatment, the Court’s decision builds on its 2017 ruling against France. It sends a clear message: legal recognition of gender identity must not hinge on surgical intervention. Full article in Pink News.
Early Lesson from this Pride season
Is it too early for a little Pride post-mortem? The corporate retreat, which clouded the headlines, reminded us that our messaging should be clearer. Pride is not philanthropy or charity—it’s about human rights, and the private sector must play its part. Yet in the face of DEI backlash, many companies are sending mixed signals: courting LGBTQ+ consumers, employees, and investors while stepping back from advocacy when it’s no longer convenient. This retreat isn’t just happening in the U.S.; it appears to be contagious (see piece on Dublin Pride below). But rather than despair, we should take this as a call to action: to gain economic power, foster queer entrepreneurship, and ensure our presence in C-suites and boardrooms. In addition, let’s not mistake America’s political turmoil for a global trend. If the U.S. falters, European, Indian, or Japanese companies can and should lead on LGBTQ+ inclusion. On a final positive note, I was also quoted in Bloomberg this week, finding another silver lining:
You don’t see anyone complaining this year about the presence of corporatization
US News
Southern Baptist Convention Declares War on Marriage Equality
The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), representing approximately 12.7 million members in its network of churches, voted on June 10 to seek the overturning of Obergefell v. Hodges. The non-binding resolution—couched in religious rhetoric about “God’s design”—is the most explicit anti-LGBTQ+ political stance the denomination has taken to date, signaling a sharpened alignment with the far-right Christian nationalist movement. LGBTQ+ advocacy group Truth Wins Out condemned the resolution as a “blatant assault on the dignity and families of LGBTQ Americans,” pointing to the SBC’s long legacy of using faith to justify systemic exclusion—from slavery to “ex-gay” therapy to its more recent targeting of women and queer communities. Read more on CNN.
Sarah McBride Feels We Got Complacent After Marriage Equality
On The Ezra Klein Show, Congresswoman Sarah McBride delivered a candid assessment of how the left has faltered on trans rights. If it were 2023, she’d be cancelled by now. McBride argues that the LGBTQ+ movement mistook a mirage of support for durable progress and abandoned the essential work of persuasion. Citing social media echo chambers, purity politics, and a loss of grace, she warns that support for trans people eroded not just due to right-wing backlash but also due to strategic missteps. McBride urges a return to pragmatic coalition-building, meeting voters where they are, and leading with stories, not shame. Felt a bit like a post-mortem. Listen or read here.
I think that’s an accurate reflection of the overplaying of the hand in some ways — that we as a coalition went to Trans 201, Trans 301, when people were still at a very much Trans 101 stage.
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Shuts Down Trans Youth Care
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles has announced it will shut down its Center for Transyouth Health and Development on July 22, citing escalating threats from the Trump administration. The clinic—one of the oldest and largest in the U.S.—served nearly 3,000 trans children and young adults, many on public insurance. Hospital leadership referenced pressure from multiple federal agencies, including the DOJ and HHS, and warned that continuing care could lead to prosecutions under Trump’s executive orders. Advocates fear a domino effect. “CHLA needs to be a leader in this,” said activist Maebe Pudlow. Read more in the LA Times.
Trump Admin Pulls Plug on LGBTQ+ Lifeline
The Trevor Project’s lifesaving “Press 3” option for LGBTQ+ callers is being cut by the Trump administration, ending federal support within 30 days. The move strips queer youth of specialized crisis care—but Trevor vows to keep answering. 🧡 Full story in RollingStone.
Have LGBTQ+ Rights Stalled Under Trump 2.0?
Political analyst Juan Williams asks whether gay rights have stalled—or even regressed—under the second Trump administration. He highlights key data we previously shared in this newsletter: only 38% of Republicans now say same-sex relationships are morally acceptable, down from 56% in 2022, while GOP support for marriage equality has plummeted to 41%. At the same time, symbolic acts of resistance—like drag performers stealing the spotlight at a Kennedy Center showing of Les Misérables—signal defiant pushback from the LGBTQ+ community. The column also questions internal tensions among Democrats on how prominently LGBTQ+ rights should be foregrounded in broader equity efforts. Read it here.
Queering the Boardroom
This afternoon: Pride in the Boardroom
Join us today at 3:00 p.m. EST for a Pride Month webinar hosted by the Association of LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors. I’ll moderate a candid conversation with Board members Kristin Frank, Nathan Richardson, and Adam Stanley on what it means to lead authentically in corporate governance, especially as board diversity faces new headwinds. From boardroom visibility to navigating a rapidly shifting environment, we’ll explore where LGBTQ+ leadership stands and what’s next. You can still register here.
Back in the Closet? The DEI Backlash Muzzles LGBTQ+ Execs
This morning, USA TODAY reports on a growing trend: queer executives, particularly trans and nonbinary professionals, are feeling unsafe or unwelcome in the C-suite amid confusion around anti-DEI requirements. Association members Myrna Soto, Rob Smith, and Torrence Boone are quoted in the piece. I also raise the alarm on the need for our community to organize itself better. The full article is here.
July 17: Speaking at ICGN in NYC
Next month, I’ll join the International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN) 30th Anniversary Conference – Americas Edition in New York City on July 2 at 2:25 p.m. EST. 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. The conference is hosted by NYC Comptroller Brad Lander, who somehow found time to get briefly arrested by ICE yesterday. Register here.
The Gay Business
Ireland: The Global Corporate Chill for Pride
Twelve major American multinational companies have withdrawn sponsorship from Dublin Pride, with ten citing direct concerns over potential sanctions from the Trump administration for supporting DEI initiatives. While these pullouts are most visible in Ireland, they echo a broader strategic retreat by U.S.-based firms from public-facing LGBTQ+ support abroad. Despite the chilling message, Pride’s co-CEO Jed Dowling says the event will be bigger than ever, buoyed by new partners and a renewed local commitment to equality. The festivities culminate in a citywide parade on June 28, marking the 10th anniversary of Ireland’s marriage equality vote. Read more here.
Take The Survey: LGBTQ+ Economic Empowerment
KOPPA’s LGBTI+ Economic Power Lab has launched a global needs assessment survey to identify what’s working and what's needed regarding economic empowerment for LGBTI+ communities. Are you running a program? Hoping to start one? Interested in joining a community of practice focused on queer economic advancement? Koppa wants to hear from you. The deadline is this Friday. 🔗 Take the survey
Ben Finzel on Corporate Pride Pullback
I am not the only one working on my Pride post-mortem. My friend PR veteran Ben Finzel dissects lessons learned from dwindling corporate support for LGBTQ+ initiatives. Writing in O’Dwyer’s, Finzel calls on communicators not to merely follow clients but to lead them back to their values. He reminds us that Pride isn’t performative PR—it’s a test of corporate integrity. Read his full piece here.
The Future of LGBTI People Is… Ours to Define
As the Fund Our Futures campaign draws to a close, the Global Philanthropy Project calls on the community to complete the sentence: “The future of LGBTI people is…” Submit a short video sharing your vision and help shape a collective message of hope, urgency, and determination. The final montage will premiere at the July 1 closing event. Add your voice: submit your message here and register here.
Semi-cultural desk
Rick Grenell and The Curious Case of the “Normal Gay”
In an interview with Politico this week, Kennedy Center President and Trump ally Rick Grenell insisted that “normal gays”—a group he confidently places himself in (by opposition to …you) —are abandoning Pride because it's now “too sexual” and “fringe.” This echoes by the way this horrendous sentence I read in the New York Post last week: ”Once a niche event of subculture fun and revelry, it’s devolved into a mainstream, month-long orgy of far-leftism that looks more like a tent revival beckoning an impending open-borders transgender race war.” Grenell, speaking to Dasha Burns, claimed that “normal gays” are voting Republican and derided LGBTQ+ activism as little more than “gimmicks” to maintain political power. Read more.
Hetero Awesome Fest
This New Yorker Shouts & Murmurs piece reminded me of how the twins, on Father’s Day last week, asked Alexa when “children’s day was” (she responded, apparently, it’s on the 14th). This week, Kira Garcia mused about a two-day “Hetero Awesome Fest” set to rival Pride Month in Boise, Idaho. Garcia crafted a hilarious faux-solidarity letter from queers to their straight brethren which is a must-read.
Modern Family’s Aubrey Comes Out
Showcasing how the gay cabal never have enough, Aubrey Anderson-Emmons, best known as Lily from Modern Family, came out as bisexual just in time for Pride Month—quoting her childhood line from the show: “I’m gay, I’m gay!” Now 18, Anderson-Emmons embraces her LGBTQ+ identity while launching a music career named Frances Anderson.
Coming and going
Xavier Vey Takes the Helm at têtu•
As têtu• celebrates its 30th anniversary, the iconic French LGBTQI+ media platform enters a bold new era with the appointment of my friend L’Oréal alumnus Xavier Vey as its President. A seasoned executive with two decades at the cosmetics giants and a longtime advocate for LGBTQI+ visibility in the corporate world, Xavier brings strategic vision and deep community commitment to this role. His leadership arrives at a critical moment, as he aims to transform têtu• into a 360° media and inclusion platform — bridging journalism, corporate consulting, and cultural relevance. His roadmap includes institutional strengthening, the creation of an advisory board, and long-term impact. See the announcement here.
Jonathan Mallow Steps In at GMHC
A belated but heartfelt welcome to Jonathan Mallow, the new CEO of GMHC, the world’s oldest HIV service provider. I recently bumped into him at a party in Chelsea—hence the delay in sharing the news. Mallow brings years of leadership and digital strategy experience (VH1, Logo) and has long been a vibrant force behind the AIDS Walk New York, which celebrated its 40th anniversary on May 18.
Claudia López In LGBTQ+ News
Bogotá’s trailblazing former mayor Claudia López, who has launched her historic bid for Colombia’s presidency, was all over the queer news this week: see GoMag and the Blade.
The Gay Agenda
June 23: NYSE Pride Rings In
Join me at the NYSE Pride Event on June 23 at 2:30 p.m. EST in NYC, where equality takes the trading floor. 🌈📈 Register here.
June 25: LGBTQ+ Refugees Speak Out in Geneva
Mark your calendar for a side event during the 59th UN Human Rights Council Session: Towards Protection and Dignity: LGBTIQ+ Refugees and Asylum Seekers Speak Out. On June 25 (8:30–9:30 AM) at Maison de la Paix, Geneva, the event is co-organized by refugee-led and allied groups. It will highlight the voices of displaced LGBTIQ+ people navigating persecution, exclusion, and legal limbo. UN Independent Expert on SOGIE, Graeme Reid, will address the gathering, framing the event in the context of his upcoming report on forced displacement. Register here.
November 2025: InterPride 2025 Goes Virtual
The 2025 InterPride General Meeting & World Conference is going fully virtual this November, bringing together Pride organizers, activists, and allies worldwide without travel costs or visa barriers. From November 3–16, join caucuses, workshops, plenaries, and keynotes from your corner of the globe. You can also propose a workshop or sponsor the event to support real-time translation. Register now.
Well, that’s it for this week. I have to run because I have another lunch planned in midtown. Tomorrow I am taking a break because it’s Juneteenth here isn the US and my kids are off from school. I suggest you do the same, because we still have 12 days of Pride and need to save energy. See you next week.
https://substack.com/@onj2025/note/c-127139365?r=7iikn&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action