Fabrice Houdart | A weekly newsletter on LGBTQ+ Equality
The Courage of Ama Governor and Sr Jeannine Gramick, SL, a court decision in Japan, Jenna Ellis’tears, Nasdaq prevails in court, Santos’niece gets abducted by aliens, Indie Sleaze, Passages and more..
Welcome to the 141st issue of my equality news digest. I share important (and much less important) news, updates, and (snarky) commentary about the LGBTQ+ equality movement at the intersection with business.
This week: The Courage of Ama Governor and Sr Jeannine Gramick, SL, a court decision in Japan, Jenna Ellis’tears, Nasdaq prevails in court, Santos’niece gets abducted by aliens, Indie Sleaze, Passages, and more…
Global News
Ghana: The Courage of Ama Governor
Ama Governor, a social media influencer who passed the bar exam, was refused admission a second time allegedly because she admitted to being bisexual on TV. The arbitrary denial has made national headlines, with Governor quickly becoming a household name. While Ghana criminalizes same-sex sexual activity between men, no law would make Governor a criminal because of her bisexuality. The overall climate for LGBTQ+ people has deteriorated lately as anti-LGBTQ bills regularly re-emerge. A ridiculously titled “Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill” is making its way through parliament, further stigmatizing LGBTQ+ people in the country.
Uganda: it will be hard to blame the Gays for that one
Museveni is a man of contradictions. On the one hand, he claims: “There is no better place for tourism in the world than Uganda” and promotes Uganda as a destination wherever he goes; on the other, he is caught in a spiral of hate speech that has undermined the country's reputation. Now, to top it all, rebels killed a newlywed British/South African couple (and their Ugandan driver) on their honeymoon last week. Homosexuals should be the last of Museveni´s worries, and yet….
Japan: an end to mandatory sterilization
Today, Japan’s top court struck down required sterilization surgery to officially change gender as unconstitutional. A crucial victory for trans rights.
Vatican: Sister Gramick and the Pope
Sister Jeannine Gramick, a well-known figure who has dedicated her life to ministering to LGBTQ+ Catholics, was harshly criticized for her work within the Church. However, on October 17, a historic 50-minute meeting with Pope Francis marked a significant shift that got little attention outside of Catholic circles. It is part of a series of wins lately, which indicates that Francis might be succeeding in modernizing the Church. The Advocate reported that the New Ways Ministry described the meeting as “a moment once unimaginable.”
Translated: Our parish welcomes all its sheep, even those who will burn in hell to atone for their unnatural unions
Argentina: between a rock and a hard place
Javier Milei is a strange character. If you have yet to read about him, you should (at least read about his cloned DOGS). And yet, for all his quirks, he remains a far-right populist and a potential danger to the hard-won gains on LGBTQ+ equality. On November 19, voters will either choose the economic Minister Massa, who has reputational issues due to the collapse of the Argentinian economy, or Milei.
Morocco: the aberration of punishing a minor victim for “homosexuality”
A muezzin of a mosque in the Ouarzazate region was sentenced to 8 years in prison for homosexuality and indecent assault on a minor combined who endured his violence and threats from him for more than three years. His victim, a young boy under 18, will have to serve six months in prison for “homosexuality.” This court decision led to an outcry among activists in the country.
United Nations: Madrigal’s report on colonialism
For his swan’s song as a mandate holder, the independent expert Victor Madrigal Borloz presented a report exploring the impact of colonialism and decolonization on the continued formation and perpetuation of harmful social mores associated with sexual orientation and gender identity. He even called out Napoleonic conquests.
US News
What the speaker’s debacle tells us about America
The World is not paying much attention to the great difficulties the US encounters in voting for a speaker for the House. The closest event to that crisis occurred in the 1850s when a fight over the speakership took nearly two months and 133 rounds of voting. Yet, the battle highlights that a third party, not a nice one, has emerged in America. The obstructionist politics led by Rep Gaetz and Boebert hints that the Republican party is now divided in two along the MAGA lines. Just when I was getting close to becoming American…
Rainbow tape on Hockey Sticks: a critical policy debate in the US
The NHL has reversed its policy of using colored stick tape on sticks to represent causes during games and in practices before I could even understand what this is about. You can read the whole controversy on ESPN or even GLAAD’s statement on the matter.
Your weekly dose of schadenfreude: Jenna Ellis cries in Court
The former Trump lawyer who, back in 2016, called the designation of the Stonewall Inn in New York as a national monument a "celebration of sin" or linked the legalization of same-sex marriage to bestiality and pedophilia, pleaded guilty in the Fulton County, Ga., of election interference case. As part of her plea deal, Ms. Ellis will get five years of probation, plus restitution and community service. She cried in court while reading her mea-culpa.
State Department warns U.S. businesses on Uganda’s AHA impact
Continuing on the theme of Uganda’s self-inflicted economic wounds, the State Department issued an unusual business advisory warning that the Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA) is an unprecedented assault on human rights and the rule of law and likely to destabilize the business sector in the country profoundly. The AHA exacerbates corruption risks, undermines the legality of leases and employment contracts, and places “broadcasters, streaming services, and internet advertisers” at risk because it has extraterritorial reach. The advisory warned that:
The AHA creates additional avenues for corrupt actors to extract bribes, delay permits, and hinder competition through LGBTQI+ reporting under the law, or threats of such reporting, which require little to no substantiation
The Boardroom
A busy week for the Association of LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors
On the occasion if it’s first anniversary, the Association had its summit in NYC on Thursday and then rang the bell at NASDAQ on Friday. As I mentioned in my (short) speech, in one short year, our non-profit has filled a crucial gap on the topic of LGBTQ+ Board diversity. Only by organizing ourselves will we be able to improve our numbers in the Boardroom.
Nasdaq Board Diversity Regulations Win Fifth Circuit Support
Take that, Jay Blum! The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit threw away the lawsuit against NASDAQ Board Diversity disclosures. The decision in Alliance for Fair Board Recruitment (a shell organization created by Jay Blum to challenge the NASDAQ disclosure rule) v. SEC held that the rules do not violate the Constitution and that the SEC did not violate its statutory obligations in approving them. Blum already announced he would appeal. In the meantime, the Association will be calling on the SEC to expand these disclosures to every publicly listed company in the U.S. now that the feasibility of this proposition is established.
We will continue the fight to eliminate race discrimination in corporate America. An appeal to a higher court will be filed shortly.
The Gay Business
Is business travel affected by anti-LGBTQ+ laws?
This is what this strange NBCNews article implied! It feels far-fetched.
Semi-cultural desk
I watched “Passages”
I recommend it. First, it made me feel better about my shortcomings as a partner to my many successive boyfriends over the years. It could have been MUCH worse, guys. While Tomas is undeniably self-centered, impulsive, myopic, and unkind, I have only three out of four of these character defects. Trailer here.
Poland: let’s use the word “orgy” very carefully here
The Pope just accepted the resignation of Mgr Grzegorz Kaszak, the bishop of the Diocese of Sosnowiec. The Polish media has been focused on a scandal that occurred in September in Dabrowa Gornicza, where one of the priests invited a sex worker who eventually lost consciousness during the evening. The media has called it an “orgy,” while I am pretty sure it is a bland foursome. In any event, if that’s an orgy, what would you call the “parties” organized by Abercrombie & Fitch’s ex CEO at la Mamounia?
Practical advice to create a social bond
If you know me, a little, long-lasting human connection - besides my children, who are the definition of a captive audience - has always been elusive. Being LGBTQ+ often means having crucial social bonds severed or damaged and sometimes difficulties in creating new ones. I loved this article in the NYTimes because it provides practical advice for America to avoid loneliness.
George Santos and his problematic relation to truth
Santos told a New York Times reporter that his 5-year-old niece was briefly kidnapped by Aliens Chinese communists from the Park. The most exciting thing that ever happened to me at the playground was for one of the mums to tell me she had taken MDMA over the weekend. This is so frustrating: all the cool stuff always happens to him.
Fashion: Indie sleaze is the name of the game this season
I asked ChatGPT, and the response was “a blend of indie or alternative fashion with elements of edginess and provocativeness.” That means vintage and thrifted Clothing, layering, and grunge elements. That also means they are going to have to put Pete Doherty on ozempic (it worked for George Santos, who claims he lost 100 pounds (and his niece), although I am not clear where exactly). I will stick to corduroy pants and tweed jackets for every season.
More on Michael Iderogho's wedding
Do you know what wasn’t Indie Sleaze or grunge? Michael Iderogho’s wedding was not only featured in the New York Times last week but also had its video.
Barbie Sat Down with SKE and vice-versa
SKE, who has been rocking the Barbie aesthetic (if Barbie came to life, ditched Ken, and pushed for an LGBTQ constitutional amendment and a boycott of the NYTimes) way before it was trendy, sat down with Barbie. See the Spirit Day activation here.
Brian J. Smith has a boyfriend
Brian J. Smith has confirmed that he’s Matt Consalvo. Leaving that here.
Caster Semenya does not identify as intersex
If you haven't read Caster Semenya’s opinion piece in the NYTimes in which she describes how sports officials are shutting women with high testosterone out of competition, here is a quote:
I know I look like a man. But I’m not.
Coming and Going
Macy’s Jeff Gennette is retiring
At 62, Jeff Gennette is retiring from Macy’s, and many outlets are celebrating his 40-year career in the company. That means we are about to lose 1 of our four out CEOs in the Fortune 500 if they don’t find a gay ASAP.
Betsy Bernard joins the Board of Lambda
Congratulations to Betsy Bernard, who joined Lambda Legal’s Board.
The Gay Agenda
Notes from the Athlete Ally Gala
I dragged myself out of the house in the pouring rain after the Bell Friday to attend the Athlete Ally gala and had the honor to sit between Huson Taylor, whose wrestler ears fascinate me, and a man with impressive abs. The Equinox President’s wife, also at the table, asked me if I go to Equinox, to which I responded that I am a member for sure but would not say I go there. The event was inspiring and chic, with attendees like Brian Ellner, Andy Ward, Alphonso David, Jon Tilly, Steven Wozencraft, Rob Smith, and my all-time favorite, Joy Bunson. I love going to the Lighthouse on the Pier because I can park my motorcycle right by the entrance and whisk myself away when the clock strikes twelve!
October 27th: webinar with Victor Madrigal on colonization
Outright International - on the Board of which I have the privilege to serve, and ILGA World are hosting Victor Madrigal a webinar on October 27 at 9 am ET on the new report I mentioned earlier in this newsletter: RSVP here.
October 30th: expanding the Pink Economy model to Africa
If you are not part of the economy, why don’t you create your own? The Queer & Allied Chamber of Commerce Africa (QACC Africa) is hosting an event titled "The Power & Untapped Potential of the Pink Economy in Africa: The challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ Entrepreneurs and how both policy and funding models can be adapted to maximize this potential." at Columbia University from 2:00 - 4:30 PM. Join me at The Forum at Columbia University next Monday - 601 W 125th Street. RSVP here.
Well, I am off to get breakfast because the Association is on its West Coast tour this week (with a dinner in SF last night and one in LA tonight). I got so many messages warning me of imminent danger in San Francisco, but I have to say that, to me, it is the most beautiful city after Paris…
Great recap from a remarkable week.
So good seeing you Friday night as well.
Just reposted NHL article. Thanks for sharing
Love and appreciate you. Lunch soon?