Fabrice Houdart | A weekly newsletter on LGBTQ+ Equality
This week: Poland's pivot, Greece's vote, delaying the Ghana bill, Vatican's view, UN's intersex focus, Bahrain's denial, US's fentanyl issue, Florida's protest, Santos replaced and more...
Welcome back to the latest installment of your Wednesday noon (more like 12:45 p.m. today) beacon of all things significant and stimulating in the LGBTQ+ sphere. This week, we're taking you on a global and domestic journey through the ebbs and flows of LGBTQ+ rights, the intersection of identities with culture, policy, and society.
This week: Poland's pivot, Greece's vote, delaying the Ghana bill, Vatican's view, UN's intersex focus, Bahrain's denial, US's fentanyl issue, Florida's protest, Santos replaced, and more...
Global News
Poland: turning a corner
In an unexpected twist, Telewizja Polska Info's Wojciech Szelag delivered live a public mea culpa for the channel's past anti-LGBTQ+ broadcasts. The public state broadcaster TVP had become a mouthpiece for Law and Justice, the right-wing populist political party defeated in the 2023 Polish parliamentary election (remember, the “anti-LGBT Zones” PR campaign? That was fun). But now, under the leadership of pro-EU Prime Minister Donald Tusk, the channel promised respect for LGBTQ+ individuals. Seeing a 12-step recovery program for imbittered countries and news channels is reassuring. Maybe one day, Fox News will make amends, too?
Greece: a Valentine’s Day Gift
Talking about Fox, they would have you believe that Greece is being force-fed same-sex marriage and same-sex adoption when the country is celebrating the historic move expected tomorrow through a vote in parliament (I would have chosen Valentine’s Day). Four thousand people demonstrated against the law, which is nothing. I just finished "The Durrells in Corfu" on Prime Video with my kids, which contains an improbable subplot about a Swedish gay man and his partner facing arrest in the 1930s on the island. Well, no more. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (a conservative), with support from the opposition, pushed this bill for LGBT+ couples despite resistance from the powerful Orthodox Church. Analysts see it as a step toward a fairer, more European Greece. Nikolaos, some influential cleric who gets the title Metropolitan, which is how we, the French, call our subway too (from Ancient Greek μήτηρ, mḗtēr, “mother” as you learned in school), still had to say something silly:
Ever since psychiatry removed homosexuality from the list of mental disorders, it gave up on related research, and these unfortunate people [that would be YOU and me] were left helpless with only solace the hope of a convenient legislation and the assertion of rights with parades of self-deprecation and shame…
Ghana: five stages of grief
Hopefully, you read the piece I sent over the weekend on the imminent passing of the “worst anti-LGBTQ+ piece of legislation” ever in Ghana, which has been in the works since 2018. That was my first stage of grief. I have bad news: the bill is not going anywhere now. However, it could still be delayed. At this point, only two channels remain viable: i) for the private sector to express legitimate concern behind closed doors to legislators so they delay the legislation until after the elections and ii), of course, for Ghanaians and African voices to rise against what is a step back for all humankind.
Vatican: Fiducia Supplicans and change of hearts
In La Croix (not the sparkling water for Fire Island gays, the French Catholic newspaper), I read this heartfelt narrative by a priest who shares his encounter with a gay couple, reflecting on how prejudices dissolve in the face of love and faith. Father Toury parallels the biblical meeting between Peter and Cornelius (here is the story explained with Lego figurines) and invites readers to look beyond the surface. By creating encounters between clerics and homosexuals, Fiducia Supplicans may have the unexpected benefit of dispelling myths about homosexual beasts. The Church could realize the banality and commonality of our human experience, including our search for spirituality.
United Nations: a resolution on intersex
A new resolution, "Combating violence, discrimination and harmful practices against intersex people," will be introduced by Finland, Australia, Chile, and South Africa at the upcoming Human Rights Council. It's the first, though sex characteristics have been addressed once in a resolution led by South Africa on women in sports. As ILGA points out politely:
Within the United Nations system, resolutions carry significant weight. These are official UN documents proposed by member States for the Human Rights Council to adopt a resolution to decide on a specific matter and allocate resources.
Bahrain and Trans Rights: A Sharia-Influenced Verdict
Cairo52 reports that in a May 2023 ruling, a Bahraini court declined a transman's plea for legal gender recognition and access to gender-affirming healthcare, grounding its judgment in Islamic Sharia. Despite presenting medical evidence to substantiate the necessity of gender-affirming care for his gender identity disorder, the court adhered to the principles derived from Islamic jurisprudence, which staunchly opposes altering one's biological state except in cases deemed medically necessary.
US News
Playing Ostrich on #Fentanyl
The U.S. is an optimistic country, and yet I often felt a sense of fatalism with egregious structural issues, from the unaffordability of healthcare to gun control, money in politics, or overdoses. As if God himself had gone down from heaven and said, “This system sucks, but this is how it will be forever.” Or maybe Americans hope that Adam Smith’s “invisible hand” is working on it. Do you share a sense that our community seems to be disproportionately impacted by Fentanyl overdoses? (read also, man dies on Atlantis cruise)The CDC has a graph showing overdoses steadily increasing since 2015. We now have 120K overdoses a year; in all of Europe, there are 6,5K. Of course, the proximity of Mexico and our unbridled capitalism explain a lot. If you are a neophyte, read this AU Fentanyl Q&A. Still, I believe minority stress, the violence of our economic system, and life satisfaction in this country have become eminent political questions. Our community and organizations created to represent it, like the Human Rights Campaign, should be vocal about passing S.2569 - Fentanyl Safe Testing and Overdose Prevention Act, which would, among other initiatives, legalize nationally Fentanyl test strips. Fentanyl overdoses are killing young people in our community.
Florida: A DMV Die-Ins for Trans Rights
In a bold statement that could only be dubbed "License to Be," transgender Floridians led by LGBTQ+ warrior Nadine Smith have taken their protest to the front doors of DMV locations statewide. These activists are lying down to stand up (see the pun?) against the memo I mentioned last week. They "die" for 37 symbolic minutes, representing the grim reality faced by many in the trans community. The Advocate has a video. Equality Florida has understood that the return of vintage anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments requires vintage queer tactics. So, buckle up, Florida.
Texas: the Banned Books Saga
Somali families in this Texas district can now opt out of books featuring LGBTQ+ characters in class. Can I get my kids to skip all classes involving books with cars because I don’t believe in them?
New York: George Santos and Schadenfreude
Democrat Tom Suozzi won the special election in New York yesterday with 54% of the votes to replace liar, liar, pants on fire Gay Republican George Santos, who was expelled from Congress last year. It’s a big deal, given how slim the Republican majority is.
Queering the Boardroom
Disclosures: Alphabet and Microsoft's Annoying Approach
Bloomberg reports today that Alphabet and Microsoft have shifted away from the traditional Nasdaq Board diversity reporting format. They use dots and check marks to represent board diversity in their disclosures, diverging from the numerical data presentation. The move challenges direct comparisons with other companies, which is already difficult, as the Association of LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors experienced last year. This flexibility is allowed by Nasdaq, but the SEC is considering making board diversity information more machine-readable, aiming to streamline data analysis.
NASDAQ II - The Return: be very afraid!
The second phase of the NASDAQ rule requires NASDAQ-listed companies to have at least one board member who is either a woman, an underrepresented minority, or a member of the LGBTQ+ community by December 31st. Our analysis shows that 15% of all NASDAQ companies are not compliant today (see the Association’s data below). There are specific exceptions and additional timelines for newly listed companies, smaller firms, and those with small boards. For example, companies on NASDAQ’s Global or Global Select market tiers have until December 31, 2025, to have at least two diverse directors with specific criteria for gender and minority representation. Smaller companies and foreign entities have slightly different requirements but are also encouraged to meet diversity standards. Failure to comply with these rules could result in delisting from the NASDAQ exchange after a grace period and review process.
The gay business
DEI: till the next uprising
That’s big news: kids encouraged to share their toys on the playground changed their minds. The media loves drama, so every time a DEI analyst gets fired, it turns into a FastCompany article (like this one about Zoom) on how the Tech industry is turning away from a socially conscious approach to business. But we must remember that the latest craze for a fairer system was never born from inner appetite but from duress after the George Floyd murder. I am confident DEI will return with a vengeance the next time businesses witness with horror the underclasses awaken, throw off the chains of bondage, and reach for rifles. I think that’s the plot of The BeeKeeper, by the way. Which CEO would be crazy enough to participate in an all-male panel in 2023?
Super-bowl: and the winner of the gay ad is
I must be missing something. This ad titled "An American Love Story" by Volkswagen, focusing on its history in America, won the Super Bowl LGBTQ+ ad-context because it briefly features a gay marriage (at 1:38). We are talking about the U.S. in 2023. The Superbowl is a crucial TV event for Americans (I did not watch the game; I watched Beekeepers, but my son Eitan went through a wide range of emotions): more than 115 million tuned in for Super Bowl 58, and most watched the commercials. And that’s the gayest ad that there was? Then, we must not have gone very far on representation; it feels like a missed opportunity. Companies can do better.
The semi-cultural desk
Superbowl, too: Glitz, Glam, and Gridiron
It’s hard to keep track but wee we had yet another gala, this time with the NFL "A Night of Pride". The event, co-hosted by GLAAD on February 7th at Caesar's Palace in Vegas, was graced by notable figures such as Lance Bass, who hosted the evening and featured performances by singer-songwriter VINCINT. Sarah Kate, who was celebrating a decade, ten years, at the helm of her company, wore a red pantsuit that unfortunately clashed with the purple step and repeat, a black lace top, and an LV golden clutch. The guest list was a who's who of LGBTQ+ advocates and allies, including actor Angelica Ross, retired Raiders DL Carl Nassib, journalist LZ Granderson, and many people I have never heard of. It was not just a red carpet event; there was a panel discussion with Carl Nassib about people coming out in sports. Presented by Smirnoff, you can see all the pictures here.
Egard Watches Winds Back the Clock to the Middle Age
You MUST watch this ad. I am not joking. There will be a quiz. Egard Watches CEO Ilan Srulovicz had nothing better than to produce an an-anti "woke" culture ad campaign, which went viral in the troll underworld. Will ye not join him on this quest!?
Netflix's Alexander the Great Sparks Historical Debate
Netflix's latest series casting Alexander the Great in a rainbow light has some viewers clashing swords over the portrayal of his sexuality. As the cries of historical betrayal thunder across the internet, we are unfurling the scrolls of LGBTQ+ history. Matt Cain, a beacon of queer history, steps into the arena, reminding us that the erasure of LGBTQ+ identities from history is a tale as old as time. The only thing more potent than rewriting history is righting it.
Honoring the Resistance: what the Christian Post is talking about
Frankly, “honoring the resistance” should be its own section in this newsletter. This week, I read this opinion piece, "Alistair Begg’s LGBT advice and good Christian witness,"
delves into the contentious debate surrounding Christian attendance at LGBTQ+ events, such as same-sex weddings. Berryessa, an “ex-gay, reflecting on his decision to attend his twin brother's wedding, counters the view that such attendance inherently equals celebration and endorsement. He proposes that Christians can navigate these complex situations gracefully, showing unconditional love without compromising their faith. Reading the comments was the best part:
How is Homosexuality now less of an abomination than other sins, like murder, for example? CULTURE... that’s how. The arts (which speak to a different part of our brains), like Hollywood, have done an EXCELLENT job of swaying public thought on this issue. Twenty years ago, most people logically agreed that marriage should be between one man and one woman. Then “Will and Grace” began to sway our emotions and feelings. Sorry, but my conscience won’t allow me to witness a homosexual marriage any more than a mass school shooting.
Coming and going
Remembering Badinter
The French are mourning the passing of Robert Badinter, the Frenchman who famously axed the death penalty and catapulted homosexuality out of the legal shadows in 1982. He removed a Vichy-era law that unfairly targeted homosexual relationships with minors over 15, carving out a path for love to roam freely. This legislative change, driven by Justice Minister Robert Badinter and under the presidency of François Mitterrand, marked a significant shift in France's legal and social stance towards homosexuality.
A Tribute Beyond Words: Cecilia Gentili's Legacy"
The New York Times obituary for Cecilia Gentili, a figure of monumental courage and transformation, presents a truce amidst critique of the publication's trans coverage. While the Times' thoughtful portrayal offers a glimpse into Gentili's impactful journey, it also ignites a broader conversation on the importance of honoring and accurately representing trans lives in memoriam and the fullness of their ongoing stories.
The Gay Agenda
April: World Bank meetings
The 2024 Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will occur from 19-21 April in D.C. LGBTQ+ participation might be crucial as the Bank finds itself embroiled in the Uganda and Ghana debacles.
February 25th: Queering the Singapore Air Show
One of my kids is obsessed with everything military, and we will attend the Singapore Air Show on Saturday, February 25th, where Eric Fanning promised us a behind-the-scenes tour of the US Pavilion. As the 22nd Secretary of the Army, Fanning's tenure from May 18, 2016, to January 20, 2017, marked a historic milestone as he became the first openly gay head of any service in the U.S. military. As President and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association, Fanning continues to influence the aerospace and defense sectors and will officially open the US pavilion. For more information about the Singapore Airshow 202.
May 17th - Get ready: IDAHOBIT 2024
As a reminder, the 2024 edition of the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT) is getting close. This year's theme is “No one left behind: equality, freedom and justice for all”.
If you have more time
Check out this fascinating NPR piece on the violence LGBTQ+ migrants face at home but also from the diaspora. Kazakh authorities crack down on LGBTQ+ website. Duolingo is under Russian investigation. All eyes are on the Indonesia elections.
Well, that’s it for this week. Apologies for being late. I have to start packing for our 2 a.m. 14-hour-long ANA flight to Tokyo, the twins, which I am apprehensive about. I am looking forward to visiting the Ghibli Museum and seeing famed LGBTQ+ organizers Alexander Dmitrenko and Loren Fykes during my visit.