Fabrice Houdart | A weekly newsletter on LGBTQ+ Equality
Middle East, a bittersweet verdict in India, good news in Poland & Hong Kong, Attal-mania, LGBTQ+ History Month, Mulvaney-Mania, the murder of Josh Kruger, CJI at Georgetown, and much more…
Welcome to the 140th 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: Middle East, a bittersweet verdict in India, good news in Poland & Hong Kong, Attal-mania, LGBTQ+ History Month, Mulvaney-Mania, the murder of Josh Kruger, CJI at Georgetown, and much more…
Global news
Israeli–Palestinian conflict: the Republican trap
Our community’s divide in Middle East sympathies, for Israel or the Palestinians, was muted after the vicious attack by Hamas. This week, minor fractures reappeared as war casualties increased. During Biden’s speech at the HRC (see below), one attendee interrupted by shouting, “Let Gaza live, ceasefire now.” At the London Palestine rally, demonstrators held signs claiming “LGBT stands with Palestine.” And Yahoo News had a strange article about “Queering The Map.” Warning: this is an obvious trap. Our demagoguery and orthodoxy never lend themselves well to complex situations.
India: a disappointing verdict which is still a revolution
Isn’t it a little bizarre that we have to go to a court of straight people, hat in hand, to argue that queer love is real? And then feel grateful when they listen to our arguments and even acknowledge our inherent dignity. Yesterday morning was spent between elation initially and then crushing disappointment, not unlike most LGBTQ+ existences made of soul-crushing heartbreaks and extraordinary joys. LGBTQ+ people die multiple deaths only to re-emerge from their ashes. Justice Kirby wrote to me last night: “One must hope that there will be another chance later.” There will be. It was easy to be philosophical with this unusually positive take on my part: I am neither Indian nor a plaintiff. My friends were “heartbroken” and felt betrayed by the Court. I texted some:
We are family: a small group of impatient and angry LGBTQ+ people unable to accept the injustice placed on our people or any denial of rights to any minority. I love you, and I know it’s a hard day for you, but tomorrow, we move on; we gain more seats, judicial roles, and power until our oppression is over.
Poland: a “PiS-free zone”
On the same day we were digesting the Indian Supreme Court’s decision, we celebrated the beginning of a new era for Poland. A record turnout, nearly 75%, gave 54% of the votes to three opposition parties: a significant victory for liberal values. The Law and Justice party (PiS) still got 35% but will not remain in power. PiS’s flirting with Catholic voters included restrictions against abortion and the infamous “LGBTQ+-free Zones” irritating the European Union. The PiS fate is seen as a reaction to the cost of the Ukraine War for Poland.
Uganda: the awkward World Bank dance is over
As expected, the World Bank and the Government agreed on a way forward to resume lending, with some mitigation measures to the Anti-Homosexuality Act. It is a complicated and performative dance to ensure the poorest are not affected while still taking a stance. The negotiation was a reminder that President Museveni’s political style, a mix of hate speech and scapegoating of minorities, impedes any country’s development. Hopefully, the message will also benefit the emerging new guard, including Victor Ochen, who I ran into last week in Italy.
France: l’Attal-mania
Gabriel Attal, the gay Minister of Education, is getting positive press coverage, which some dubbed the “Attal-mania.” The Telegraph even called him “Macron boy,” which felt a little homophobic. There is already talk about him taking Renaissance (Macron’s party) to the elections, but in politics, visibility makes you a target, so let’s see if he survives the heat. The next French Presidential elections are taking place in April 2027.
Hong Kong: Court recognizes gay couples in housing case
A court upheld a ruling that same-sex couples are entitled to apply as couples for a housing scheme. The Department of Justice lost its appeal against an earlier court decision. Again, why would a government appeal a ruling acknowledging LGBTQ+ relationships constitute “couples”? How many poems, books, movies, and songs will be enough to cast that in stone?
US news
Biden touts LGBTQ+ Global Rights efforts
US Gays love a black-tie event but ADORE one with a President. After all, we only gained a semblance of social status three decades ago. In the 60s, we would see the White House from behind a picket line. Pictures of Joe at the HRC National Dinner, which he attended Saturday for the 4th time, flooded my LinkedIn. Besides lambasting Hamas and going over his LGBTQ+ record, he mentioned his global engagement:
We’ve made human rights for LGBT around the world a top priority in our foreign policy: increasing our assistance to brave activists on the ground; defending human rights in countries [...] that passed anti-gay laws, like Uganda — going after Uganda, making clear that they cannot get the same benefit as other countries — (applause).
Philadelphia: behind Josh Kruger's murder
The family of Robert Davis, the 19-year-old black man who shot Josh Kruger in Philadelphia, has made allegations that the journalist had had a relationship involving drugs with Davis while Davis was a minor. While nothing is substantiated, it serves as a reminder of methamphetamine use within the gay community. Addiction and mental health issues remain taboo. The LGBTQ+ collective agony drowned into performative, tone-deaf, almost criminal hashtags: #luckyguy, #changetheworld, #grateful.
Queering the Corporate Boardroom
Tomorrow, the Inaugural Summit of the Association in NYC
With one hundred sixty attendees, 20 speakers, a mix of existing and aspiring directors, representatives from institutional investors, private equity, recruiters, sister organizations, and global affiliates, the Summit of the Association of LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors at JPMorgan Chase is already a success.
Groundbreaking NASDAQ LGBTQ+ data gets no visibility
It is irritating that our examination of NASDAQ disclosures, 1.2% of board seats occupied by LGBTQ+ individuals, received zero attention in the financial press. If it were the first rigorous estimate of representation for another group, the study would have made headlines for days. This is symptomatic of a perception that LGBTQ+ representation is frivolous and “a woke add-on” to the racial and gender agenda. I wrote a post on the Columbia Law School’s Governance Blog reiterating why Prof. Wouter Torsin’s study is groundbreaking.
October 24: “Board service, thinking the long game” webinar
Which steps can you take early in your career to position yourself for Board service? LGBTQ+ Board Members extraordinaire Romy Diaz and Myrna Soto will share their view in a webinar hosted with LGBTQ+ VC at noon on October 24th. RSVP here.
The Gay Business
Who is the big winner of Pride 2023? Mulvaney-mania
Anheuser Busch took a hit; overall, corporate engagement took a hit, but Dylan Mulvaney came out on top. The 26-year-old has now more than 10 million followers on TikTok. Attitude has named her its first-ever Woman of the Year (sending the conservative media into a tailspin), and Mulvaney is an Out100 2023 (see below).
Scholastic pulled a little further in the culture war
This week, Popular Information called out Scholastic for “facilitating the exclusion of books that feature people of color and/or LGBTQ characters” after it created a separate fair category for diverse books. Scholastic, the world's largest distributor of children's books and a leading publisher for pre-K to grade 12 has been in the middle of America’s “Book bans.” And me, who thought America wasn't allowed to read since Ronald Reagan was elected president.
The semi-cultural desk
When 11-year-olds rap against trans people
Toby James, son of conservative Christian rapper Tyson James (did I type that? Christian rapper? Where am I? Who did I become?) went viral for this TikTok video with imaginative lyrics such as "If you're a Suzie then you can't be a Scott," and "Only two genders, ain't gettin' to heaven with nail polish." I’ll keep raising my kids the gay way with controversial books and encouraging critical thinking if that’s okay.
Fox News cannot let go of Tyler Cherry
Tyler Cherry, a Communications Director for Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland, remained in the news for a fourth week. This week, the conservatives were reproaching him ten years old pro-palestianian tweets.
Responses to my questions on the LGBTQ+ angle
I received suggestions after my piece on the LGBTQ+ lens. Someone mentioned that the polygamous nature of men brings about diverse interactions: an exciting argument I might not raise in the Board diversity discussion. Others said the unique experience of being part of the dominant class and then the marginalized ones is unique (think of a trans woman discovering the extent of misogyny in business as an example, or a French bourgeois becoming marginalized after he comes out). Howard Pulchin wrote about emerging from fear into action.
Down low: a 5.2 on IMDb
I feel a bit guilty, but I found parts of this hilarious. Or maybe I was just jetlagged. Don’t judge me, but I’ll still judge you if that’s ok.
The Lost Boys movie
Titled “le Paradis” in French, the movie is about two teens placed in a juvenile reform center who fall in love with each other.
Lesbians divorce, too, you know?
In summary, Ashlyn Harris is dating Sophia Bush after her divorce from Ali Krieger. Harris and Krieger, former U.S. Women’s National Team stars, have two children and were married since 2019. I guess I am not the only gay making bad decisions around here.
Fellow travelers: how many content subscriptions do I need?
We are only a few weeks away from the series' first episode, October 29, and I still don’t have a subscription to Showtime.
Coming and going
Who will replace Graeme Reid, and is he replaceable?
Until he was appointed United Nations Independent Expert, the South African Graeme Reid was the Director of the LGBTQ+ Program at Human Rights Watch. I always had a weakness for HRW: their reporting is accurate, they do not claim roles they did not play, they do not inflate adverse developments for fundraising purposes, and are humble about their understanding of the World. In short, I am concerned that nobody can fill Reid’s shoes. The job is posted here.
Iain Anderson jumps political ships
Iain Anderson, the former Boris Johnson’s LGBTQ+ business envoy, quit the Tories after 39 years of membership and switched to Labour, claiming the Conservative Party was ‘not the party it used to be’ (no kidding, Iain!).
Check out the iconic Out100 list
The Out100 is a bit like Crain’s Notable LGBTQ or City & State Pride 100, but you don’t ask to be on the list; they ask you. This year’s list includes luminaries such as Zooey Zephyr, Becca Balint, Jeff Gennette, Kara Swisher, Roberto Garcia…
Commemorating Matthew Shepard’s death
Last week was the 25th anniversary of Matthew’s murder. Read Biden’s comments here.
The Gay Agenda
Friday: Athletes Ally Gala
If you are at the party on Friday, please come and say hi.
October is LGBTQ+ History Month
I could not remember what History meant, so I checked, and it is a time dedicated to honoring and preserving the legacy of our community. I still have a SuperGen: 70 over 70 list, a brilliant idea (if I may say so myself) that nobody has picked up. Wisdom is the one thing the LGBTQ+ movement lacks. Last year, I stumbled on this gem:
It feels as if the pioneers of gay liberation […] are disregarded as irrelevant because the new generation sees itself as the true liberators.
October 23: explain to CJI what “edging” means at Georgetown
The Georgetown Law Centre will welcome Chief Justice Dr. D. Y. Chandrachud and Stephen Breyer in DC next Monday at 6:30 p.m. IST (11 a.m. EST). That’s going to be awkward. Register here and tell him why he broke our hearts.
Next week, I am in LA and SF
The Association is hosting three dinners in California next week, two sponsored by JPMorgan Chase and one by NACD Northern California; I look forward to seeing you in the most hipster state in the nation.
Nov 3-12. Who is going to the Gay Games? And on which continent?
Maybe the most political Gay Games ever will happen in Hong Kong and Guadalajara November 3-12. See the latest news here. No, if you must ask, these two locations are not nearby. As I saw it elegantly put recently:
Hong Kong was originally the sole host, but after the political situation changed in the country, Guadalajara stepped in to aid the competition.
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Well, that’s it for this week. I returned from NACD and my stint in Lombardy last night. After ten days away, I was glad to hear news about recess, the twins’ half-witted dog, Simon Tucker. My sons’ world is a microcosm of ours, but it is slower, gentler, and more manageable. `
In acknowledgement of LGBT history, a quote I love from Bayard Rustin: "We need, in every community, a group of angelic troublemakers."
The cost of LGBT exclusion in India is estimated to be 1.7% of GDP. Patience and persistence.