Fabrice Houdart | A weekly newsletter on LGBTQ+ Equality
Uganda tourism, a bias against LGBTQ+ asylum seekers, Georgia, Loomer vs. Lindsay Garaham, #WalkToWallStreet, Colorful Capital post-mortem, LGBTQ+ covens, Ken Ohashi, Brian Sims, UN Week and more…
Welcome to this week’s issue of Fabrice Houdart | A Weekly Newsletter on LGBTQ+ Equality! It has been a typical week of far-right Twitter wars, anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, and DEI hysteria: from Uganda’s tourism pitches, Georgia getting cooties from Russia to Lindsey Graham being outed by Laura Loomer. Like most people living in the US, I can’t wait for November 5 to be over and done with, hopefully with some adults elected to the White House.
This week: Uganda tourism, a bias against LGBTQ+ asylum seekers, Georgia, Loomer vs. Lindsay Garaham, #WalkToWallStreet, Colorful Capital post-mortem, LGBTQ+ covens, Ken Ohashi, Brian Sims, UN Week and more…
Global news
Georgia’s Parliament Approves Anti-LGBTQ Legislation, Echoing Russia
Georgia’s parliament passed yesterday an anti-LGBTQ+ law that mirrors similar measures in Russia. The bill, introduced by the ruling Georgian Dream party, bans same-sex marriages, adoptions by same-sex couples, and gender-affirming care, among other restrictions. This legislation, supported by the influential Orthodox Church, comes amid rising anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment and efforts to promote “traditional family values.” The bill pushes Georgia closer to Russia’s influence, raising concerns about its democratic freedoms and potential EU membership (the EU urged Georgia to scrap the bill). It now awaits the president’s signature. Read about it on Reuters.
Amb. David Pressman Calls for a “Reckoning” Over Hungary
The Guardian reports that David Pressman, the openly gay US ambassador to Hungary, has called for a “reckoning” over Hungary’s growing divergence from Western democratic values. In a powerful speech, Pressman criticized Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government for cozying up to authoritarian leaders while suppressing civil society and independent media at home. Pressman argued that the time for dismissing Orbán’s actions as mere rhetoric is over and that Hungary’s allies must confront the country’s shifting policies head-on.
Uganda: a dream tourist destination?
I must confess that I read Le Figaro Magazine occasionally to learn what the French bourgeoisie thinks (spoiler alert: they are still not happy but a bit more since Barnier is the PM). This week, I was amazed to see the Magazine promoting Uganda as a dream tourist destination for 3,250 Euros, given the brutal reality LGBTQ+ individuals face there. Lake Victoria is lovely this time of year…if you manage to dodge the homophobic laws. The spread showcases Uganda’s beauty without acknowledging that Uganda enforces some of the harshest anti-LGBTQ+ laws in the world (see the September HRAF report and item below), including life imprisonment and the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality.” It felt irresponsible.
Uganda (too): Drop the Charges Against Micheal Opolot
Opolot, a 21-year-old Ugandan, was arrested in August 2023 and charged with “aggravated homosexuality.” After enduring nearly a year in detention, facing torture, and having his charges reduced to "carnal knowledge against the order of nature," Micheal was granted bail but was due back in court this past week. His case highlights Uganda's extreme anti-LGBTQ+ laws and political persecution. The Convening for Equality called for the immediate dismissal of his case, urging global support to pressure Uganda’s Justice Jane Frances Abodo to drop these charges. Here is the call to action.
Sweden: Bias in SOGIESC Asylum Cases in Sweden
On September 17th, the Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Rights (RFSL) released the English edition of their report, Rejection Motivations in SOGIESC Asylum Cases in Sweden: A Case Law Analysis. The report examines over 3,360 asylum decisions involving claims based on sexual orientation and gender identity, revealing how Swedish migration authorities continue to rely on harmful stereotypes in assessing the credibility of LGBTQ+ asylum seekers. Access the full report here.
US news
Lindsey Graham Outed by Laura Loomer in Twitter Exchange
In a really chic exchange on social media, trendy far-right activist Laura Loomer accused Senator Lindsey Graham of being gay. The comment has reignited long-standing rumors about Graham’s sexuality, which have been speculated on for years but largely ignored by mainstream media. Loomer’s tweet followed Graham calling her "toxic" and advising Donald Trump to distance himself from her. Read more here.
Lindsey Graham has never been loyal to President Trump. When is Lindsey coming out of the closet? We all know you’re gay, Lindsey… and that’s ok.
Biden Gives First-Ever Presidential Interview to LGBTQ+ Newspaper
Biden made history by granting the first-ever interview by a sitting president to an LGBTQ+ newspaper, speaking with the Blade. In the interview, he praised the courage of LGBTQ+ individuals (that’s YOU! the President praised YOU!), highlighting their resilience in overcoming homophobia and other forms of bigotry.
Most of the openly gay people that have worked with me, that I’ve worked with, the one advantage they have is they tend to have more courage than most people have.
Trump's Education Plan Targets "Wokeness" in Schools
Tout un program… the WSJ discusses Donald Trump’s vows to remove "wokeness" from America's schools by leveraging federal power to investigate and pressure institutions that support transgender rights and racial diversity programs. His strategy includes launching civil rights investigations and reforming the accreditation system to scale back diversity initiatives. These moves could spark legal battles, with critics arguing that such actions undermine student rights and educational equity.
GLAAD’s fifth State of HIV Stigma report
GLAAD’s fifth State of HIV Stigma report highlights a drop in stigma, with fewer Americans acknowledging its existence compared to five years ago. Some activists objected that it reflects only perceptions from a random sample of Americans, ignoring the ongoing stigma faced by people living with HIV.
GLAAD's 2024 State of HIV Stigma report found a significant decrease in the belief that stigma around HIV still exists from 2020 to 2024.
Correcting the Record: Gender-Affirming Care for Transgender Youth
Two weeks ago, I mentioned a new study by Leor Sapir, a known critic of gender-affirming care for transgender youth, on the persistence of adolescent gender dysphoria. After consulting with experts, I wanted to reiterate that Sapir’s claims are not supported by credible scientific evidence. Leading medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, and the American Psychiatric Association, strongly endorse gender-affirming care as safe, effective, and essential for improving mental health in transgender youth. Studies cited by these organizations show that gender-affirming care significantly reduces depression and suicidality while enhancing the quality of life for transgender individuals.
Queering the Boardroom
The 2024 LGBTQ+ Board Monitor Report is out
The LGBTQ+ Board Monitor Report 2024, released by the Association of LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors ahead of its Annual Summit tomorrow, reveals that representation on corporate boards is stagnating. Only 1.3% of Nasdaq-listed board seats and 0.9% of Fortune 500 seats (see my post specifically on F500 last week) are held by LGBTQ+ individuals. The report highlights that LGBTQ+ people experience slightly better representation in the Tech and Lifesciences boardrooms. The report is available here.
Norton Rose Fullbright on the Board Diversity landscape
In this article (also summarized in the Board Monitor Report), our friends at Norton Rose Fulbright explore the evolving legal landscape surrounding the Nasdaq Rule. As we discussed previously, the rule is under fire in U.S. courts. Meanwhile, states like Illinois have enacted their own LGBTQ+ disclosure requirements, and international efforts in the UK, Australia, and Canada are progressing, although inconsistently. As the Fifth Circuit Court deliberates the Rule’s future, its potential reversal could have profound implications for global board diversity initiatives.
LGBTQ+ Boardroom Departures
Pierre Amariglio has departed from Eco Oro Minerals Corp., effective September 13. Israel E. Alguindigue is no longer listed as a board member at Andersen Corporation as of September 5. Additionally, William J. Gilbane III has been removed from the board of Urban Umbrella as of September 4.
The gay business
AP’s article on the Corporate Equality Index
AP had a piece yesterday on Ford, Harley-Davidson, and Lowe's decision to withdraw from the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index. It suggests that the requirements for a perfect score have become too demanding and out of control. I shared my view that given the demographic shift happening, companies giving up on the CEI are making a wrong decision:
I think they will lose, in the end, LGBT talent and LGBT consumers,” Houdart said. “And the parents of trans kids, which are an increasing population in the United States, they’re probably going to remember that those were companies who went out of their way to side with the bullies.
The Association Joins #WalkToWallStreet Initiative
The Association of LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors partners in the #WalkToWallStreet initiative, led by the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR) under Cid Wilson's leadership. This 240-mile walk from Capitol Hill to Wall Street, starting today, September 17th, aims to highlight the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in Corporate America. Partnering with organizations like the Human Rights Campaign, Latino Corporate Directors Association, and The Executive Leadership Council, this initiative champions a future of greater representation. The journey will culminate in New York City on October 14th. Join us in supporting the movement.
Colorful Capital’s Post Mortem
Colorful Capital, a VC firm focused on supporting LGBTQ+ founders, recently halted efforts to raise its debut $20 million fund, underscoring the uphill battle for diversity-focused ventures. Co-founders Megan Kashner and William Burckart launched the fund in 2022 to rectify these inequalities. Still, they found themselves battling institutional roadblocks, as discussed in an article in Venture Capital Journal last week. While some attribute the difficulty to being an emerging manager without a proven track record, Densil Porteous of Pride VC notes that LGBTQ+ founders often face additional systemic hurdles. Koppa is hosting a global LGBTQ+ inclusive finance conference in 2025 to learn from this experience and many others.
The semi-cultural desk
On Netflix: Will Ferrell and Harper Steele’s roadtrip
I read in the latest issue of The Advocate about the heartfelt journey of Will Ferrell and Harper Steele, featured in the Netflix documentary Will & Harper. This documentary chronicles a road trip across the U.S. that deepened their friendship after Steele’s gender transition. Here is the trailer:
What to watch? a rather heterosexual Perfect Couple on Netflix
I had a pretty busy few days and still managed to watch all of The Perfect Couple on Netflix, starring Nicole Kidman. Given the number of dark secrets this family harbors, I felt there could have been a gay one: the younger son, maybe. I guess we haven’t wholly infiltrated Hollywood yet, after all. In 2023, LGBTQ representation in movies declined, with fewer characters overall, but those featured received more screen time, according to GLAAD's annual Studio Responsibility Index (see Vice). Fun irrelevant fact: I once took the twins to Nantucket while we were expected in Martha’s Vineyard: wrong ferry, but an opportunity to visit the Whale Museum.
Homophobic speech in youth sports harms straight boys too
The fact that so few soccer players are out in 2024 is a statistical aberration. This piece in USA Today (here) highlights how the use of anti-LGBTQ+ language in youth sports affects not only LGBTQ+ athletes but also their straight counterparts. The study, published earlier this year in the Journal of Sport and Social Issues, examined data collected in 2014.
The log cabin republicans on the upcoming elections
Note that this is in the semi-cultural section: Charles Moran, president of the Log Cabin Republicans, argues that Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are not the best candidates for gay Americans in the 2024 election in a Newsweek oped. Still, only 8% of LGBTQ+ voters intend to support Trump, according to The Hill.
Trustee Accused of Calling Educator a ‘Witch’ in an "LGBTQ+ coven."
In a lawsuit that doubles as an early Halloween special (see here), a former Grossmont Union High School District educator claims she faced discrimination and harassment due to her sexual orientation, with board trustee Jim Kelly allegedly referring to her and a colleague as "witches" in an "LGBTQ+ coven." Tagnesi, who served the district for over 28 years, says the board targeted her as part of an anti-LGBTQ+ agenda, leading to her forced exit.
Coming and going
Ken Ohashi Transforms Brooks Brothers
In Fortune today, Ken Ohashi, CEO of Brooks Brothers, has transformed the iconic American brand from bankruptcy to nearly $1 billion in revenue by 2023. Appointed after the brand was acquired by Authentic Brands Group and Simon Property Group, Ohashi revitalized Brooks Brothers by returning to its roots and focusing on a communicated value system. Living in Brooklyn with his husband and children, Ohashi is among the few openly gay CEOs in corporate America.
Omar Apollo featured in “Queer”
The openly gay Mexican-American artist is the “it boy” of the week. Known for blending genres like R&B, soul, and Latin music, his work explores themes of queerness and love with raw vulnerability. Learn about him in Miami New Times here and impress your younger Brazilian husband. If you don't mind, I will stick with Billy Joel and Supertramp.
Tristan Schukraft: Building a Queer Hospitality Empire
In the September issue of Out magazine, Schukraft, owner of The Abbey, shares his vision of becoming the “Gay Richard Branson.” With a history in West Hollywood politics and several successful business ventures, Schukraft’s latest acquisitions include MISTR and hotels in Puerto Vallarta and Palm Springs, transforming once-overlooked spaces into vibrant LGBTQ+ destinations. My personal vision is to become the gay “Dowager Countess of Grantham” : I am making incremental progress.
Brian Sims Named CEO of Agenda PAC
Pennsylvania lawmaker Brian Sims was announced in The Advocate as the new CEO of Agenda PAC, a political action committee known for its work against anti-LGBTQ+ incumbents. Sims plans to expand its efforts as the 2024 election approaches. Agenda PAC, which gained attention after taking on Moms for Liberty in 2023, aims to hold anti-LGBTQ+ politicians accountable with bold strategies, targeting candidates they call “beatable bigots.” We wish him the best in this new job.
HRF Honoring Clare Byarugaba
Human Rights First (HRF) will honor our friend Ugandan activist Clare Byarugaba at its 2024 Annual Awards Celebration on Tuesday, October 8, at 6:00 PM at Cipriani 25 Broadway. Tickets can be purchased here.
Fiver Children's Foundation needs your vote
The Fiver Children's Foundation is a JPMorgan Chase's DEIA Award finalist. Please take 30 seconds to cast your vote for Fiver and their vision for a brighter future for New York City's children here.
The Gay Agenda
September 23rd: United Nations core-group event in NY
Next Monday, from 1:30 to 2:30 PM ET, the UN LGBTI Core Group will host a high-level event at the UN Headquarters during the 79th session of the General Assembly. You can still register here to attend in person or tune in via UN Web TV.
September 24th: Open for Business in NY
Open for Business, the world's premier global platform for businesses to drive LGBTQ+ equality is hosting its New York Coalition Forum on Tuesday from 4:30 to 7:00 PM at the American Express Tower. The keynote speaker will be Jessica Stern, the United States Special Envoy to Advance the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Persons. Register here.
September 25th: see you at Concordia
Wednesday, I am looking forward to attend the Concordia Summit in NYC, discussing LGBT+ representation in global governments. I will be part of a session, “LGBT+ Representation in Global Governments: Reflecting on Progress and Shaping the Future,” which will examine the future of queer leadership in both public and private sectors.
September 25th: Allyship in Action at the WBC Summit
On September 25th at 2:15 p.m., I will moderate the "Allyship in Action: Transforming Workplace Culture" panel at the WBC 5th Annual Action for Impact Summit, featuring Maureen Howard (Procter & Gamble), Gavriella Schuster, and Helen Dietz (Aspiriant). Key questions will address strategies for promoting allyship in male-dominated industries, marketing's role in allyship, and how to embed allyship into corporate culture. Register here.
Well, that’s it for this week. Wish me luck tomorrow as we welcome 180 of the closest Association’s friends for the Association’s second Annual Summit tomorrow. I am excited to interview Reggie Van Lee and Stacey Friedman on stage, two outstanding examples of the contributions LGBTQ+ people can make to business when given the opportunity. From their mouth to the DEI Gods ! And, of course, I hope to see some of you during “UN Week” next week in New York (register for the UN and Open for Business events listed above). I will focus on ensuring my motorcycle does not get towed as I navigate multiple events.