Fabrice Houdart | A weekly newsletter on LGBTQ+ Equality
Surrogacy Debate, UK sanctions in Uganda, the agony of DEI, Monkeyman, Bad Faith, hosting Maxine Waters, GLSEN Awards, Global Citizen Now, violence at the AVP, funding global social change and more...
Dive into our latest newsletter only 1h30 late, where we explore crucial developments impacting the LGBTQ+ community across the globe. From Fondation Émergence's IDAHOBIT 2024 video spotlighting the surge in violence against LGBTQ+ individuals in North America to the turmoil at the Anti-Violence Project. Meanwhile, France wrestled with contentious surrogacy debates with Marion Maréchal being a total b**ch as usual, Uganda’s Speaker - a big champion of the AHA - happens to be a thief unsurprisingly, and South Carolina debates critical legislation on gender-affirming care. Join us for these stories and more as we navigate the intricate landscape of LGBTQ+ rights and advocacy.
This week: Surrogacy Debate, UK sanctions in Uganda, the agony of DEI, Monkeyman, Bad Faith, hosting Maxine Waters, GLSEN Awards, Global Citizen Now, violence at the AVP, funding global social change, and more...
Global News
Canada: Foundation Emergence’s 2024 IDAHOBIT Video
Fondation Émergence just released its annual IDAHOBIT2024 video (below); as usual, it’s powerful and mandatory viewing. The video conveys a disturbing increase in violence and the shift in public discourse on LGBTQ+ issues, particularly in North America. Progress was NEVER going to be linear, but at the risk of sounding like a broken clock, it’s time to radically upheaval U.S. LGBTQ+ organizations whose inertia and repeated mistakes have contaminated progress globally.
World Bank: the USED’s Commitment to LGBTQI+ Rights
L. Felice Gorordo, the World Bank Acting U.S. Executive Director, was interviewed by the Blade this week about the institution's efforts on LGBTQ+ rights globally. Gorordo highlighted significant initiatives, including integrating this lens into the World Bank's operations and a strategic focus on supporting LGBTQI+ individuals through financial products and services. With a forthcoming Brazil study, the World Bank continues the efforts we started more than ten years ago to quantify discrimination's economic impact. Coincidentally, GLOBE, the WB LGBTQ+ employees group, celebrated 30 years of existence last week in DC.
One LGBTQ-inclusive project is the World Bank International Finance Corporation’s $275 million loan to Banco Davivienda in Colombia, which provides funding for advisory services to LGBTQ and intersex people and the design of LGBTQ and intersex banking products.
France: surrogacy, the incredible hypocrisy of it all
Between the Pope’s comments on surrogacy, the European Parliament's decision to classify surrogacy exploitation as a Eurocrime potentially, and the conservative's reaction to the birth of designer Simon Porte Jacquemus’ twins, surrogacy (GPA) took center stage in French social and political debates. You can read my analysis here in a rather annoyed piece titled “Surrogacy: The Great Hypocrisy.” In short, the timing of the sudden shift of public concerns from our relationships to our children is VERY suspicious. Marion Maréchal (niece of Marine LePen)’s trashy comment, “où est la Maman?” is at odds with public opinion, which shows a significant shift toward support for GPA. Recent surveys reveal that 59% of French citizens are in favor of surrogacy, with notable backing from women and the younger demographic.
Uganda: UK Sanctions Targets Corrupt Anita Annet Among
How about a bit of schadenfreude to elevate the mood? Remember Speaker Anita Annet Among? a great supporter of the anti-homosexuality bill. Well, surprise, surprise, she embezzled resources intended for Uganda's impoverished Karamoja region. It's such a political classic, pointing fingers at the gays while pillaging resources from the poor. On April 30, the UK imposed sanctions on crucial Ugandan politicians involved in significant corruption charges. This includes travel bans, asset freezes against dear Antia (already banned from entering the US), and two former ministers, Mary Goretti Kitutu and Agnes Nandutu. Of course, the Ugandan parliament, instead of questioning the probity of the Speaker, deplored that she was singled out for her stance on homosexuality *eye roll*. Now, Anita must ask where to invest her loot; what about a gay bar in Kampala? Those tend to be lucrative. Oh wait, that’s illegal.
US News
South Carolina: about to pull the plug on trans youth
State lawmakers are pushing to ban all gender-affirming care for trans youth. Amidst emotional scenes, parents like Rebecca and David Bell mentioned in the Post & Courrier. alongside numerous other families, watched helplessly as a legislative committee moved forward with a bill that could end essential treatments for their children. This legislation, if passed, threatens to dismantle the progress and stability achieved through therapies endorsed by leading medical organizations. Despite the overwhelming opposition from families, healthcare providers, and advocates, the bill is advancing through the Senate, reflecting a broader national trend toward restricting transgender rights.
I ask you, as parents, think of your child as they are sitting there asking for help. And you can’t give it to them. I am really hoping you will think hard about this and the lives this really does impact. Because as parents, we don’t choose this journey for her. Oh my goodness, this is a painful journey. This is the last thing we want. Please, I am begging you, do not pass this bill.
Trevor’s 2024 National Survey on LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health
In their sixth annual survey, The Trevor Project unveils alarming data from over 18,000 LGBTQ+ young individuals across the U.S., revealing a persistently grim tableau of mental health challenges (Instagram post here and Facebook post here). A stark 39% of these youths contemplated suicide last year, with those from minority backgrounds reporting even higher distress levels. Politics, it seems, has a profound impact, with 90% feeling the sting in their well-being, pushing nearly half of the trans and nonbinary respondents to consider relocating for a breath of more accepting air. Despite the dire need, half could not access mental health services. You can read an excellent write-up of the findings in today’s TIME article and this post on Parents website.
The slow agony of the word “diversity”
Ok, ok, “Diversity” is becoming a bad word in America, almost as bad as “socialism” or “universal healthcare”, but DEI’s agony is endless. Just shoot it in the head already and let’s move on to the next phase of the Great Christian Cultural Revolution. This week, the University of North Carolina (UNC) voted unanimously—and without discussion—to repeal and replace the UNC System’s current diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policy and eliminate these jobs on 17 campuses. The University of Northern Iowa and Iowa State University also closed their DEI offices. In Minnesota, we observed similar proposals in the Anoka-Hennepin School District. It’s unclear whether progressives - including in the LGBTQ+ movement - have identified a possible response.
Queering the Boardroom
Rep Maxine Waters hosted by the Association on Friday
Last Friday, the Institute of Current World Affairs and the Association of LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors hosted "Auntie Maxine," our friend Steve Clemons and his husband, and the impressive Mixner fellow in Taiwan, Edric Huang, at a dinner at the Cosmos Club in DC to remember David. Maxine was in great form and reminded us of stories with David - including a night spent together at the South African Consulate on Thanksgiving protesting Apartheid. It was a warm event along the theme of service and stubborn belief in American ideals. The guests were Association members Maggie Fitzpatrick, Tracy Harris, Zaid Zaid, Jennifer Knight, US Chamber of Commerce COO Justin Waller, McKinsey’s Jesse Salazar, and NACD’s Susan Paley, some of whom you can see in the picture below.
Upcoming events of the Association
Our following events include a life sciences dinner in San Francisco and a reception celebrating the release of the “Top 75 LGBTQ+ Board Members in the U.S.” list in New York City both in June. The Association will also host its annual LGBTQ+ and Allies Dinner at National Harbor on Monday, October 7th, at the NACD Annual Summit. Let us know if you plan to attend.
The semi-cultural desk
I recommend “MonkeyMan” to you again
I mentioned it earlier, but I finally watched it this week. One night, the twins were out, and it was hyper-violent. Everybody will tell you it’s John Wickish. But to be honest, I loved it because of the Hijrah super-heroes. There is something cathartic about seeing “disempowered communities” beating the shit out of villains on screen. I promise it will do well. Here is the link.
Bad Faith: how Christian nationalism is threatening America
“Bad Faith” is now streaming on AppleTV+, Amazon, and Google Play (strangely, it seems to be only $2.99 on Prime vs. $12.99 on AppleTV; someone explains it to me?), and it is a great way to ruin your week.
BBC, the Rainbow/Pink Tourism episode
Ok, now something a little more upbeat: listen to this segment on tourism, which mentions Axel Hotels and Nepal.
Is the hustle paying off?
GLAAD claims that LGBTQ+ representation on TV decreased in this 2023-2024 season, which feels unfair as we hustled from Davos, Cannes, to an Olivia Cruise, or The Time 100 party since the beginning of the year… It’s actually not that bad: we still had 468 LGBTQ+ characters counted across broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms, and Nicholas Galitzine was one of them.
Sophia Bush’s Love Goal
Sophia Bush has officially come out as queer and scored a love goal with retired soccer star Ashlyn Harris. The actress, best known for her "One Tree Hill" role, shared her heartwarming journey toward self-acceptance and love in an intimate piece in Glamour magazine, to which I assume you have a subscription.
The Gay Agenda
Monday: Night of Honor and Resistance at the GLSEN Respect Awards
Two nights ago at Gotham Hall, the GLSEN Respect Awards Gala was a vibrant celebration and a poignant reminder of the ongoing battle for LGBTQ+ rights. Brad Baumoel of JPMorgan Chase & Co. was rightfully honored, and Imara Jones, who graces my own Board of Directors, had green hair, which the crowd went crazy for (my date had yellow hair, although he claims it’s blond; you decide). With the who’s who of queer New York in attendance, the event served as a rallying cry against the attempts to portray LGBTQ+ youth as the biggest threat to America… when well it isn’t. Wilson Cruz’s speech was a powerful call to protect the progress made for over 2 million queer youth across the nation.
Today and tomorrow: Global Citizen Now Conference
"World at a Crossroads: Act Today to Save Tomorrow" is a rather on-the-nose name. As soon as I send this out, I will ride down to this conference focused on democracy, poverty, and climate change. Here is the program.
Coming and Going
FitzPatrick, on her way to the National Council on the Humanities
I heard at our dinner on Friday that President Biden has nominated Margaret "Maggie" FitzPatrick, a member of the Association (on the Board of NASDAQ: ANTX, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing treatments for rare, chronic, and serious infectious diseases ), for a prestigious National Council on the Humanities position. FitzPatrick, whose background in English and policy studies pairs well with her extensive career in corporate affairs, will bring her expertise in community engagement to the council. More here.
Beverly Tillery: Boardroom Brouhaha at the Anti-Violence Project
In a dramatic twist that would make even “Baby Reindeer” blush, the New York City Anti-Violence Project (AVP) fired its long-serving Executive Director, Beverly Tillery. Just three months shy of a graceful exit, Tillery's abrupt termination has sparked outrage and bewilderment. The six-person board says AVP is broke (read their statement). In contrast, Tillery says she was navigating "cyclical cashflow challenges" (which is how I will present my personal financial situation on future dates from now on). Tillery also calls out a boardroom now less colorful than a monochrome rainbow—because of the resignation of its only Latinx and Black members. There was also the e cancellation of fundraising events and a gala. I hope you see the (sad) irony: an anti-violence project at war with itself. Stay tuned.
“The staff and I are stunned and deeply concerned about the future of the organization in the hands of the current board. In recent weeks, the board has taken steps to jeopardize its health and most recently threatened to close down the organization.”
Efrain Guerrero now leads Pride Live
There are only 61 days until the grand opening of the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center. Pride Live, the organization behind the project founded by Diana Rodriguez , announced its new Executive Director, Efrain Guerrero this week. Efrain's arrival comes at a pivotal time, and his first month has been a testament to his dedication and vision for our future. See Pride Live’s newsletter here.
The reinvention of Amit Paley
While I mentioned last week that Trevor remains in turmoil, Amit Paley, was named the Executive Director of the Movement Against Malnutrition, a bold new venture by the IRC dedicated to ensuring that no child dies of hunger. He was in Sudan this week. Read about the initiative here.
The nonprofit corner
Spotlight on The LGBTQ+ Index
The Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy’s Equitable Giving Lab has released "The LGBTQ+ Index: Measuring Giving To LGBTQ+ Organizations," a resource offering insights into the philanthropic support of LGBTQ+ causes in the U.S. This unique index reveals a decade of growth in donations, from $387 million in 2012 to $823 million in 2021. With data showing diverse growth trends across different sectors, such as LGBTQ+ education and HIV/AIDS, the Index is a crucial tool for understanding, supporting, and enhancing funding for LGBTQ+ organizations, which are pivotal in promoting equality and support for the community. Here is a link to the landing page
Giving Out Day: the global movement victim of gay greed?
The developments in Iraq and Ghana in the past few weeks spotlighted the urgent need for substantial funding for LGBTQ+ rights. It’s pretty simple: there is a recipe for social change, it has a price, and someone must pick up the tab. Organizations like IraQueer, Iraq's first national LGBTQ+ group, struggle against oppressive policies, emphasizing the lack of financial support, which is stark globally. The U.S. funding doubles in ten years (see above). Globally, support is a quarter of that funding, with only $184 million allocated, and it has been stagnating around this figure for a while. Why would Americans pool their resources only to support themselves? Today, as we kick off the GiveOut Day Campaign with Outright International, we call on our community to bolster global efforts, even if it means U.S. LGBTQ+ delegations at Cannes or Davos include an entourage of then rather than twenty.
The gay agenda
Global Lesbian Visibility Day
The LGBTQIA+ community's calendar is blossoming with dedicated visibility days, and why not? Have you ever heard someone complain that we jump from Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31, Lesbian Visibility Day on April 26, IDAHOBIT on May 17th, and June after that? Well, here is my response: given the odds, we will never have enough days to claim that, yes, one can indeed be a happy LGBTQ+ adult. As these dedicated days roll out across the spring months, they are not only reparation for the damage society continues to push queer lives but are a much-needed antidote for the shame we were made to carry.
IDAHOBIT 2024 at ADB Headquarters: "No One Left Behind"
Scheduled for May 17, the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Headquarters in Manila will be a pivotal event under the theme "No One Left Behind: Equality, Freedom, and Justice for All." Key discussions will be led by notable figures such as Woochong Um, Moriaki Kida, and Albert Park, alongside other regional experts discussing innovative practices and strategies to combat discrimination and enhance inclusivity in the development agenda. Link to register.
Well, that’s it for this week. I can’t believe I am one hour late AGAIN. I used to do so well. Admittedly, I had a very annoying morning, and now I fear this newsletter is a bit on the dark side. Not that it was ever upbeat in the first place. I looked up gay jokes on the World Wide Web, but they were all inappropriate, so this newsletter will have to do.