Fabrice Houdart | A weekly newsletter on LGBTQ+ Equality
This week: the next independent expert, Uganda, LGBTQ+ Board appointments, Rose Montoya’s breast, Bravo les lesbiennes, a f**t with a Tony, Christine and the Queens and much more…
Welcome to my weekly equality news digest, where I share important (and much less important) news, updates, and commentary about the global LGBTQ+ equality movement at the intersection with business.
This week: the next independent expert, Uganda, LGBTQ+ Board appointments, Rose Montoya’s breast, Bravo les lesbiennes, a f**t with a Tony, Christine and the Queens, and much more…
Global News
Searching for the next Independent Expert
Without actual gay royalty besides maybe Megan Rapinoe, Elton John, and Troye Sivan, the United Nations Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (cool kids say “IESOGIE”) acts as head of the Gays, spiritual leader of Mykonos, and sovereign of all queer people. The current mandate holder since 2018, Victor Madrigal-Borloz, is in Geneva next week to present his last report to the Human Rights Council on June 21st. The deadline for applications for his replacement was yesterday. That person will have big shoes to fill, and we owe a collective debt of gratitude to Victor for transforming the conversation globally with tact, diplomacy, and thoughtfulness. Chapeaux bas! I hope there will be opportunities to celebrate him in the coming months.
Uganda: pressure on World Bank intensifies
The World Bank’s lackluster statement following the signing of the anti-homosexuality bill by Museveni has put the international organization firmly on the radar screen of LGBTQ+ civil society. Not taking a position means taking one. Going beyond the initial request for the World Bank to review its portfolio in light of the new law, Outright International asked the Bank to suspend all loans to the Ugandan Government. The Bank Information Center submitted a similar request and asked the African Development Bank to take similar measures. Ultimately, the question is, why are we still guests of straight people in these institutions in 2023? When will we get a seat at the decision-making table? The last power lesbian in the institution, Rachel Kyte, left years ago (see her inspiring Pride post here). You can read more about the pressure on the Bank on Erasing 76Crimes with this quote from a local activist:
The World Bank should be a source of dignity, not danger. Queer people are going into hiding and fleeing Uganda to avoid the threat posed by the Ugandan government, much of which is financed by the World Bank.
Uganda: the dubious silence of Pope Francis
For much of the Holocaust, Pope Pius XII [1876-1958] remained silent. The long-awaited opening of his wartime records (see Pope at war), a week before Covid hit, confirmed this willful ignorance, and Pius is now remembered for what he did not do or say. I know it sounds dramatic, but Francis could learn from history. A few months after Pope Francis declared in an interview that homosexuality was a "sin" but not a "crime," that anti-LGBTQ+ laws were "unfair," and that the Church should work to end them, his silence on the anti-homosexuality bill championed by Catholic bishops, which Outright aptly described as being based on “genocidal ideology,” is deafening. Activists report the LGBTQ+ community has documented more than 80 human rights violations and abuse incidents linked to the law in Uganda. In the meantime, the Holy See reaffirms the sanctity of the family, marriage, and procreation in its Global Pact for the Family (see here).
US News
Rose Montoya: why the gays cannot have nice things
Rupert Murdoch’s outlets were having a field day this week. For those who don't know the back story, Rose Montoya and two friends posted topless photos from the White House to “honor trans-Pride” during this weekend's pride party. I had a strange conversation last night at a fundraiser for Edafe’s organization, Refuge America (a worthwhile organization to support), where someone tried to convince me Rose’s move was a heroic act of resistance comparable to the historic Act UP protest at St. Patrick's Cathedral in 1989. I don’t see it. Showing your tits at the White House is the equivalent of boycotting the NYTimes: performative, self-serving, and counterproductive. Sometimes, between this and the partnership between Crocs and Taco Bell, I feel stressed out.
Charles Blow on the “National State of Emergency”
The Human Rights Campaign’s declaration of a “National State of Emergency for LGBTQ+ Americans” for the first time in its 40-year history got a lot of coverage. In character, SKE oneupwomanshiped it by declaring “a terror campaign against our community.” I am doubtful these hyperboles serve us: globally, the LGBTQ+ suffering dwarves the current backlash on trans rights in the US, and trans-people vilification requires a counter-narrative, not hyperbolic statements. However, I agree with this opinion piece by Charles Blow in the NYTimes, which best explains why anti-trans legislation in the country is not business as usual:
“The advocates I spoke to were [...] optimistic that they would eventually prevail and that this backlash would wane. The problem, though, is that once laws are on the books, it can be hard to remove them.”
Vatican: LGBTQ+ flag on US Embassy
Every year, conservatives lament that the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See flies a Pride Flag as if it was the first time. They need new stuff to be enraged about, like LGBTQ+ people going topless at the White House. It seems logical, given that the US has made LGBTQ+ equality a priority in its foreign policy. The Vatican is not immune to Pride, a human rights campaign.
Waiting for an earthquake: the end of affirmative action
I could not figure out who first coined the expression “Talent is equally distributed; opportunity is not.” We live in a strange world where sometimes it can be hard to witness that LGBTQ+ people only receive crumbs from the table, but trust me, we do. But it best encapsulates why the pending SCOTUS decision is regressive. Catalyst had an article on the potential spill-over impact of the pending decision on affirmative action on workplace DEI efforts, suggesting that companies dial back on programs that explicitly seek to encourage hiring women or other underrepresented groups (see here).
Santos wants to ban US aid for countries criminalizing homosexuality.
Santos’ proposal shows a complete misunderstanding of how our community works to improve legal frameworks globally and the fact that ultimately only LGBTQ+ local civil society should guide our engagement on these issues (which, by the way, has been the case regarding Uganda). The resolution filed in March would cut all federal funding to countries where laws or policies discriminate based on sexual orientation, “including by criminalizing homosexuality or same-sex marriage.” In the meantime, Santos is appealing a decision to release the names of people who paid his $500,000 bail after claiming it was family members.
Queering the Boardroom
Gigi Sohn to join Tucsow’s Board.
Gigi Sohn, the Executive Director of the American Association for Public Broadband and a former Biden nominee for the FCC, has been nominated to the board of NASDAQ-listed company Tucows (see the announcement here). Tucows is an American-Canadian publicly traded Internet services and telecommunications company headquartered in Toronto. Based on the diversity matrix published in their proxy, Sohn is the first diverse board member.
Myrna Soto to join Vectra’s Board.
Board member extraordinaire Myrna Soto was appointed to the Board of Vectra AI, a private cybersecurity company headquartered in San Jose, California (see here).
Allen & Overy Pride campaign: the “lavender ceiling”
Check out our campaign on Allen & Overy’s social media channel on the “lavender ceiling.” Incidentally, Allen & Overy announced they are merging with Shearman Sterling to become the third-largest global law firm, AO Shearman.
The Association is on the road
We are in DC next week, Chicago the following week, and finishing Pride month with a breakfast hosted by FGS Global in New York City. I hope to see you at one of these stops.
Business News
News from the alleged “Pride Corporate Backlash”
This week Cracker Barrel, Sesame Street, Pottery Barn, The Chosen, and Starbucks were in the news for facing boycotts. And yet I cannot shake up that feeling that this is so hyped up. A little bit as if I called out this boy not being interested in me last night as a personal boycott. As New York Magazine reminded us recently, “Most corporate boycotts are more bark than bite.” Just look at the conservative headlines claiming that Target lost $15 billion due to the controversy, which is impossible for a company with a full-year total revenue of 110 billion. Market value and financial loss are not the same thing. The 'perfect storm' of social media and culture wars is more light rain than hurricanes.
Fast Company’s Queer 50 list
Check out this year’s list, which includes Beth Ford, Shamina Singh, my Advisory Board Member Imara Jones, Liana Douillet Guzman, and many members of the Association of LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors.
From the semi-cultural desk
Sam Brinton: arrested for the third stolen-luggage case
When your hand gets caught in the jaws of the U.S. justice machine… Brinton was charged with grand larceny in a third airport baggage theft case, this time at Reagan National Airport, after facing charges related to Las Vegas and Minneapolis airports. See here.
Bravo les lesbiennes
In France, this is the slogan “en vogue” (see here). Léo Guerrier, a linguist (they could not find a lesbian linguist?), explains, “By saying “bravo les lesbiennes” we presuppose not only the existence of lesbians but above all their existence in the PLURAL, the strength of this slogan is the affirmation of the collective.”
Sublime: an Argentinian LGBTQ+ movie
From Argentina this time, Mariano Biasin's coming-of-age film celebrates young love and its innocent beauty. See the trailer here:
“The Idol” - boring but super queer
The HBOMax series by Euphoria creator Sam Levinson — starring Lily-Rose Depp as a pop star and the Weeknd as her lover — is a bit of a bore (I have watched both episodes so far to spare you). Yet, with Hari Nef and Troye Sivan, it has a very queer cast. If you don’t remember her, Nef's breakthrough role was Gittel in the Amazon original series Transparent. Watch this little skit and save yourself two hours of TV.
But at least we have “Black Mirror” on its way
It’s been four years since the last season, probably because Covid was dystopian enough. During that period, I moved four times and had three different boyfriends. Tomorrow, the new season is up on Netflix with five episodes. Striking Vipers in season 5 dealt with queer sexuality and trans identity. Yet, the episode was not welcomed by the community.
Christine and the Queens: Paranoia, Angels, True Love
Chris is now masculine and goes by he/him. I listened to the new album(s)/ three acts opera for you today. Full of Life over Pachelbel's canon is fantastic. Then, I loved A Day In The Water, Flowery Days, and “Big Eye,” in that order. I need to digest the rest, including the two pieces with Madonna - ask me next month. If you know me, you know that I will play Full of Life on repeat until I get sick of it.
The very queer Tonys
The recap in the New Yorker. Nonbinary performers J. Harrison Ghee and Alex Newell were the stars of the evening. Life of Pi got three Tonys which is excellent because I have to take Maxime to see it as a counterpart for taking TanTani to the Yankees game. This bleeped quote says it all:
Growing up, I was called the f word more times than I could remember. And all I can say now is I’m a fagg*t with a Tony.
The raging 20s - a decade marked by anger
It is a play word on “roaring twenties.” I find this Airmail podcast relevant because the anti-trans movement is fueled by rage - Republicans are lashing out.
Coming and going
New York appoints first trans judge
Governor Kathy Hochul has appointed the Nation's first transgender male judge and the State’s first transgender judge, Seth Marnin (read more here).
Dwight McBride resigns from the New School
Dwight A. McBride, the openly gay President of The New School since April 2020, announced that he was leaving to take a position at Washington University in Saint Louis (see his tweet here).
Pat Robertson: between Church and States
Pat Robertson’s obituaries were as split as America is today. One could argue that his obituary is also America’s necrology as it gradually looks more and more like a theocracy around here.
The Gay Agenda
A Guide to Surviving Pride
You made it half a month, and you are doing great. You do not have to be everywhere. Show up when it matters. But you must march.
Tonight: join my sons and me at the NYC AIDS Memorial
See you at 7 PM at the NYC AIDS Memorial (Greenwich Ave & W. 12th Street) - right after Legends of Drag, which begins at 6 PM! See here.
This week: Visit of Fondation Émergence to New York
I am a Trustee of the Canadian Fondation Émergence visiting New York this week. We will meet with SAGE and mark Pride at the Canadian Consulate this Friday.
Friday, June 2023: Stonewall Day 2023 at Hudson Yard
Pride Live Stonewall Day 2023 at Hudson Yards, featuring performances by Christina Aguilera and by Mila Jam (with whom I briefly shared a cell), Betty, and Mariyea (see here).
Sunday, June 25: Pride March in NYC
See you at the March - I am joining the Outright contingent. I will share the list of the CEO & Founders, President & CEO, Chief Executive Officer, and Executive Director of LGBTQ+ organizations in New York who did not march. Marching in Pride is a political act, engagement, a public and visible declaration of solidarity with our community, and if you are a leader in the movement and can march with you must, you must, no matter how many times you did it.
I hope you had a great week. Mine included a Yankees game (where Tani got a ball thrown by Anthony Rizzo with the help of Lev Sidirov) and a birthday party for the twins at Dave & Buster’s, where my ex asked me, like every year, if I was dating these days. Parenthood and the LGBTQ+ movement make you question your sanity sometimes.
Your newsletter has enough wit to make humor out our sometimes insufferable realities. Thank you for that and all of the great information you provide.
Agree with the comments on rose 🙃