Fabrice Houdart | A weekly newsletter on LGBTQ+ Equality
This week: Gay Imam murdered, Pettiness with the Gay Men’s Chorus and Stonewall Monument, the ‘Buy-In’ Strategy, Zizians, toxic masculinity’s comeback, flexible corporate values, queer semantics and
From Corporate America’s retreat to the cancellation of the Gay Men’s Chorus’ World Pride performance, LGBTQ+ people have good reasons to feel under attack in the U.S. these days. Abroad, the assassination of a Gay Imam in South Africa, Lithuania resisting marriage equality, and Saudi Arabia’s World Cup plans are reminders that our journey is far from over. Yet, a recent demonstration at Stonewall and re-reading of Paul Rogat Loeb’s The Impossible Will Take a Little While tell us that if there is one thing LGBTQ+ do well, it’s adversity.
This week: Gay Imam murdered, Pettiness with the Gay Men’s Chorus and Stonewall Monument, the ‘Buy-In’ Strategy, Zizians, toxic masculinity’s comeback, flexible corporate values, queer semantics and much more…
Global News
South Africa: Muhsin Hendricks, Pioneering Gay Imam, Assassinated
Muhsin Hendricks, one of the world's first openly gay imams and a leading advocate for LGBTQ+ Muslims everywhere, was shot and killed in a targeted attack in South Africa. Hendricks, 58, had long faced threats for his work reconciling Islam and queerness, founding the Al-Fitrah Foundation and establishing one of the first inclusive mosques in Cape Town. Read more on CNN. In the process of learning more about Hendricks, I realized that France, Marseilles specifically, has a gay mosque, too.
Spain: Gay Men Face Police Crackdown in Madrid
The Take, a podcast 🎧by Al Jazeera, investigates reports of Madrid police targeting gay men through raids and invasive strip searches. While officials claim the operations are part of a broader drug crackdown, activists argue they reflect systemic homophobia in a country often praised for its LGBTQ+ rights.
Malaysia: Drag at Awards Show Sparks Conservative Backlash
It always feels like Malaysian authorities have too much time on their hands: the past few years have seen bans on pride-themed books, Swatch watches (here), and a concert by The 1975. A recent red carpet event at Anugerah Juara Lagu (Song Championship Award) stirred a similar controversy after attendees were seen in drag. The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim), under the Prime Minister’s Office, has vowed to summon those involved. Religious Affairs Minister Naim Mokhtar reinforced prohibitions against gender nonconformity, while conservative voices accused the TV station of normalizing LGBTQ+ culture. Read more here
UAE: A Queer Surfer in Abu Dhabi
As two-time world champion Tyler Wright prepares to compete in Abu Dhabi, she does so under an intense spotlight—not just for her surfing but for what her presence represents. Wright sought assurances of safety before agreeing to participate. While the World Surf League (WSL) defends its decision to host the event in the UAE, critics accuse it of sportswashing, using Wright’s participation to project an image of inclusivity without actual progress. Articles also discussed the fact that Tyler’s jersey was scrubbed of the Pride flag. Check out this story in Surfer Magazine.
Saudi Arabia: 2034 World Cup Plan
Remember the Qatar 2022 saga? Saudi Arabia, set to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, has announced a strict alcohol ban during the tournament, ruling out the Qatar 2022 limited alcohol zones, a move that critics see as a veiled strategy to discourage LGBTQ+ soccer fans from attending. In a British radio interview (here), Saudi Ambassador Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud stated that “plenty of fun can be had without alcohol,” reinforcing the nation’s long-standing prohibition law. When asked if gay fans would be safe, the ambassador went to great lengths to avoid the word.
We will welcome everyone in Saudi. It is not a Saudi event, it is a world event. And to a large extent, we will welcome everyone who wants to come
Lithuania: Homophobic Rhetoric Gets A Stage
Lithuania's LGBTQ+ community is outraged following economist Raimondas Kuodis' controversial statement comparing marriage equality to allowing dogs to marry. He also compared it to bicycles getting social assistance, which must be Lithuanian because I did not understand that allegory. Meanwhile, President Gitanas Nausėda has continued to oppose legalizing same-sex partnerships. Read more here.
New Zealand: Auckland Pride Disrupted
Auckland’s annual Pride parade faced disruption when Destiny Church members performed a haka in protest. Wearing "Man Up" T-shirts (how original, how inspired), the group obstructed the parade’s path while attendees drowned out their chants with cheers. Their leader (pastor/visionary) later praised his followers on social media, calling the protest the beginning of a larger movement against the "rainbow agenda." Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown condemned the disruption, labeling it "unacceptable thuggery" following an earlier violent protest at a drag storytime event.
US News
Liberal Donors Retreat Amid Trump’s Return
The NYTimes described how democratic-aligned organizations face a financial crisis as wealthy donors, demoralized by party leadership and fearful of political retribution, withhold funding. Major donors like Jeff Skoll and Reid Hoffman have paused contributions, while LGBTQ+ advocacy groups such as GLSEN and the Human Rights Campaign are laying off staff. Unlike the fundraising surge seen in 2017, this post-election period is marked by caution, with some donors even considering moving assets overseas.
Stonewall Protest Over Transgender Erasure
Hundreds gathered at the Stonewall National Monument to protest the National Park Service’s petty removal of “transgender” and “queer” from its website, a move tied to new Trump administration policies. Activists, including Representative Jerrold Nadler and some local politicians, condemned the action as a deliberate attempt to erase trans history from the birthplace of LGBTQ+ rights. Demonstrators vowed to resist any further revisionism. As a side note, the Visitor Center had to clarify how they were not involved in the NPS’ decision as they faced threats:
The recent election has amplified the importance of the SNMVC. As efforts to erase our history and deny our rights accelerate, the SNMVC's role as a symbol of resistance and a place of education becomes even more vital.
New York: Murder of 24-Year-Old Biracial Trans Man
Authorities in New York have charged five individuals with second-degree murder in the brutal torture and killing of 24-year-old Sam Nordquist, a biracial transgender man originally from Minnesota. Nordquist was held captive for over a month at Patty’s Lodge motel in Canandaigua, where he suffered repeated beatings and psychological abuse before his body was discarded in an empty field. The case, which investigators have called "beyond depraved," is being closely watched as authorities determine whether anti-trans bias played a role. The NYTimes noted that:
Law enforcement officials said on Sunday that some or all of the five people charged with murder in connection with the killing were themselves members of L.G.B.T.Q. communities.
The Zizians: From Radical Ideology to a Trail of Violence
I am surprised Elon hasn’t blamed that one on us yet…. The arrest of transgender Jack LaSota, known as "Ziz," has brought national attention to the Zizians, a loosely connected group of radical vegan anarchists with roots in Silicon Valley's rationalist and effective altruist communities. What began as an intellectual movement among highly educated tech workers and philosophers—centered on AI ethics, anti-speciesism, and unconventional psychological theories—has now been linked to at least six homicides across multiple states. LaSota did not even get a blink from Fox News.
GLAAD demonstrates against… The New York Times
While the Administration is excluding trans and intersex people from policy and public life, GLAAD is demanding a meeting with The New York Times over the biased trans coverage it denounced two years ago. This week, a mobile billboard calling attention to the issue was back outside The Times headquarters. See here.
Semantics Contortionism
This Out Magazine article struck me today because it is symptomatic of the terror of gay Americans. In it, Jeff McMullen, a real estate professional from West Hollywood, CA, argues that it’s time to rethink how the community identifies itself. He suggests retiring the “LGBTQ+” label in favor of “Queer American,” a term he believes is more inclusive, unifying, and politically effective. He also makes the case that framing the community within an American identity—akin to African American or Asian American—can strengthen political advocacy and connect the movement to broader civil rights struggles. Frankly, I am not sure changing our name will push back against growing political threats; I think standing up to the bullies will, but I would love to hear your thoughts.
Queering the Boardroom
Canada Will Require Diversity Disclosures
While America took a huge step away from mandatory Board Diversity disclosures, Canada is taking the opposite approach. Proposed regulations would require financial institutions to disclose whether they have board term limits or other mechanisms for renewal, along with policies for identifying and nominating directors from underrepresented groups, including women, visible minorities, Indigenous people, and individuals with disabilities. See here.
Advice for Boards on the “DEI Divide”
In How Directors Can Navigate the DEI Divide, Jen Rubin argues that corporate boards should approach DEI with a fact-based, strategic mindset rather than succumbing to political pressure. By seeking expert legal advice, analyzing workforce data, and aligning DEI initiatives with long-term business goals, directors can provide sound guidance to management while minimizing legal and reputational risks.
Corporate America’s Board Diversity Retreat Accelerates
Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) announced, effective February 25, that it would no longer consider demographic board diversity in its U.S. board election recommendations. This is a seismic change. Meanwhile, as we discussed last week, Goldman Sachs has scrapped its landmark 2020 policy requiring IPO candidates to have at least two diverse board members, citing legal and regulatory pressures. These reversals raise concerns about LGBTQ+ and other minority representation at the highest levels of business.
Key LGBTQ+ Movements in the Boardroom
According to SEC filings, Gary Steele, former President of Go-to-Market at Cisco Systems, announced his departure on February 12. His effective exit date is April 25. Pete Chronis joined the board of Cyera. Nancy L. Harris departed from the Board of M-Files.
The Gay Business
MacKenzie Scott’s Giving: A Model for LGBTQ+ Philanthropy?
A report published this week (CEP Report) explores how MacKenzie Scott’s approach to giving—offering large, unrestricted grants—has empowered nonprofits, including those led by and serving LGBTQ+ communities. Among surveyed nonprofit leaders, 12% identified as LGBTQ+, and many used Scott’s funding to advance workplace inclusion and staff pay equity—critical issues for queer professionals. Additionally, 61% of nonprofit leaders reported using their Scott grant as evidence of credibility to attract new funders.
A “Moment of Truth” for Corporate America
This morning, I spoke at Egale Webinar’s 50-30 Panel: The Cost of Exclusion and encouraged companies to find their North Star and stick to it (something I argued before). As Deloitte scrubs DEI language from its website and retreats from its diversity commitments in the U.S., The Financial Times' Moral Money newsletter highlights how corporate values, once presented as non-negotiable, are now being discarded in response to shifting political winds. Guido Palazzo had the perfect quote on Linkedin:
“These are my values and if you don‘t like them, I have others“ Groucho Marx
NAACP’s ‘Buy-In’ Strategy: A Model for LGBTQ+ Economic Power?
The Guardian claims this week that a quarter of U.S. consumers have stopped shopping at their favorite stores due to political disagreements, with four in ten Americans adjusting their spending to align with their moral beliefs. By opposition, the NAACP urges consumers to "buy in" to companies that maintain their DEI commitments rather than boycotting those that have rolled back initiatives under conservative pressure. Their new tactical spending guide highlights corporations that have either upheld or abandoned DEI efforts, including Lowe’s, Target, Walmart, Amazon, Meta, and McDonald’s. If LGBTQ+ consumers organized themselves, corporates would tremble. Read more here.
The semi-cultural desk
What to Read: The Impossible Will Take a Little While
Well, first, here is a little bibliography for times of backlash. First published in 2004 and updated in 2014, Paul Rogat Loeb’s The Impossible Will Take a Little While is a collection of essays, poems, and reflections on hope and resilience. Featuring voices like Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, and Dan Savage, the book explores how ordinary people create extraordinary change despite immense challenges. I just ordered it.
The Power of Queer Love in Environmentalism
Lida Maxwell’s "Rachel Carson and the Power of Queer Love" provides a reexamination of Rachel Carson, the marine biologist, conservationist, and author whose 1962 book "Silent Spring" helped to launch the modern environmental movement. This is essential reading for those who view queerness not merely as an identity but as a transformative force in politics and society. Watch Maxwell discuss the book here.
The Gay Men’s Chorus Is Cancelled
In a troubling development for LGBTQ+ cultural visibility, the National Symphony Orchestra’s scheduled performance with the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington for World Pride in D.C. on May 21st was abruptly canceled without explanation. The event was also removed from the Kennedy Center’s website. See here. The Art Véritable vs. Art Dégénéré dichotomy is, of course, reminiscent of the darker times of history. One of my friends commented:
Unreal. GMC is such a mainstream group. It really appears to be “all out war…”
The White Lotus Does Not Disappoint
HBO’s The White Lotus is back for Season 3, and it’s a nice distraction from the crazies. Sex, satire, and scandal are much more entertaining than the macho bravado of tech bros on the spectrum. The gays are talking about (SPOILER ALERT) about the unsettling sexual tension between two brothers, played by Patrick Schwarzenegger and Sam Nivola, in a scene that has social media buzzing.
Coming soon: The History of Sound
One of the most anticipated LGBTQ+ films of the year, The History of Sound, stars Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor. The film follows two young men who embark on a journey across America during World War I, recording voices and sounds of a disappearing way of life. Directed by Oliver Hermanus, the movie is an adaptation of Ben Shattuck’s acclaimed short story.
Coming and Going
Angie Craig Considers Senate Run in Minnesota
U.S. Rep. Angie Craig, the first out LGBTQ+ person to represent Minnesota in Congress, announced she is seriously considering a bid for the state's open U.S. Senate seat. In a social media post, Craig stated she will consult with Minnesotans in the coming weeks before making a final decision, emphasizing her commitment to bipartisan representation and LGBTQ+ visibility. See here.
On Trump’s LGBTQ+ Cabinet Member
The Boston Globe notes that unlike Pete Buttigieg, who faced relentless homophobic attacks, Bessent has encountered little criticism from Republicans, highlighting their selective tolerance when wealth and power are involved.
While Trump escalates his war against LGBTQ people, Bessent gets to be a beneficiary of a battle still waged by millions — to be accepted for who he is because his private life is no one’s business but his own.
Kevin Spacey Strikes Back
Kevin Spacey, probably emboldened by the resurgence of toxic masculinity, has fired back at Guy Pearce’s claim that he "targeted" him during LA Confidential, dismissing the accusation with a blunt “grow up” and questioning Pearce’s victimhood. In a video rant on X, Spacey scoffed at the timing of Pearce’s remarks—28 years later—insisting that if something truly upset him, they could have spoken privately instead of making a media spectacle. He also pointed out that Pearce allegedly visited him a year after filming, suggesting it doesn’t quite fit the "victim narrative."
Well, that’s it for this week. Earlier, I shared some thoughts on bullying at my kids' school and on the global stage. The overwhelming response and suggestions on best handling the situation reminded me of something powerful: LGBTQ+ people care. As I watched Souleymane's Story this week, a masterpiece on the migration experience, I was reminded how empathy is in short supply these days (I mean, look what “they” celebrate)—but still abundant in our community. That’s one of the many superpowers we must cultivate.