Fabrice Houdart | A weekly newsletter on LGBTQ+ Equality
This week: the controversial French Pride Poster, The World Bank’s volte-face in Uganda, progress on HIV cure, the great Corporate exodus of 2025, Les Prédateurs, Escola’s Triumph, and much more…
Oups… this edition is late—a full hour and a half. I blame a cold that won’t quit, lingering jetlag, and the brutal reentry reality of grocery shopping and laundry. But the world didn’t wait, and neither did the headlines. In the run-up to WorldPride, LGBTQ+ people were everywhere in the news, though not always for the most celebratory reasons. From the scandalized reactions to Paris Pride’s poster, the subtle but significant shifts in U.S. public opinion, and the great corporate exodus of 2025, this week reminds us of how embattled we are. And still, we march.
This week: the controversial French Pride Poster, The World Bank’s volte-face in Uganda, progress on HIV cure, the great Corporate exodus of 2025, Les Prédateurs, Escola’s Triumph, and much more…
Global News
France: The Pride Poster Controversy
Unveiled earlier this month by Inter-LGBT, the official poster for Paris Pride 2025 has ignited a fierce public controversy just weeks before the June 28 march. The artwork depicted a diverse set of queer figures standing against a symbolic "international reactionary" threat: a veiled woman holds a placard, another figure wears the inverted pink triangle used by the Nazis, a person sports pins — one with the Palestinian flag — and a bag in the colors of Hungary and Bulgaria, two countries where Pride events are increasingly repressed. Critics, including the LGBTQ+ police group FLAG! And the Jewish LGBTQ+ association Beit Haverim claims the image irresponsibly politicizes the march and could incite hostility. Conservative politicians like Valérie Pécresse withdrew public funding and regional logos, while the RATP transport authority canceled its support. Inter-LGBT has defended the artwork as a call for solidarity across oppressed communities, decrying what it calls "gross misreadings" of the imagery (see Le Monde). Meanwhile, organizations like SOS Homophobie have condemned the backlash, warning that stripping away funding during a surge in anti-LGBTQ+ violence is both politically cynical and dangerous. Tout un programme, like we say, in my country.
Uganda: World Bank Pivot And Its Timing
After a two-year freeze triggered by Uganda’s 2023 anti-LGBTQ law (something I argued for in a Washington Post op-ed two years ago)—one of the most repressive in the world—the World Bank has quietly resumed lending, citing “mitigation measures” to protect LGBTQ+ people in its projects. While I’m not opposed to restoring funding in principle, how it’s done feels deeply cynical. The decision comes amid ongoing violence, arrests, and evictions targeting queer Ugandans. It seems more like a strategic nod to Washington—ironically, now one of the loudest opponents of LGBTQ+ rights globally— or a gift from Ajay Banga to his new patron than a principled stand. The estimated $1.7 billion Uganda lost during the freeze was meant to signal consequences. Instead, this move confirms what we often suspect: like many corporations, the Bank is a fair-weather ally. Read the article.
South Africa: Selective Outrage, and LGBTQ+ Lives
It may seem like a non-sequitur, but the performative outrage over South African asylum seekers in the U.S., particularly those framed as white farmers fleeing “genocide” (see here), reminded me of whose lives are considered worth defending in America these days. When politicians rush to the spotlight, their plight while remaining silent on the brutal persecution of LGBTQ+ people in Uganda, Russia, or Malaysia, the message is unmistakable. Some lives earn headlines, others don’t. This isn’t just selective empathy—it’s gaslighting. In the global human rights narrative, queer suffering is often edited out unless it fits a more comfortable script. Justice, it seems, is only urgent when it flatters the right politics or the right skin tone.
United Nations: Renewing Graeme Reid’s Mandate
The UN Human Rights Council is gearing up for a critical vote in July: whether to renew the mandate of Graeme Reid, the Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. Since the role was created in 2016, it’s been one of the few global levers for investigating violence and discrimination against LGBTQ+ people—sending 170+ communications, conducting country visits, and keeping queer rights on the international agenda. With hostility rising in many corners of the world, losing this mandate now would be a gut punch. Civil society groups have until June 19 to sign a global joint statement pushing for its renewal. See ILGA World.
Colombia: Claudia López and the Fragility of Hope
The attempted assassination of Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay—a right-wing presidential hopeful shot in the head by a 15-year-old during a campaign event—has jolted Colombia back to the specter of its violent political past. As Uribe remains in serious condition, we extend our deepest condolences to him and his family, and condemn this cowardly attack without reservation. With echoes of the 1990 election cycle, when three candidates were murdered, this incident threatens to destabilize a fragile democratic process already strained by polarization. The stakes are even higher for leaders like Claudia López, whose reformist platform and public courage offer a vital alternative for Colombia’s future. Her safety—and that of all candidates—must be a national priority. Read more.
HIV: A Glimmer of Light
Scientists in Melbourne have made a startling advance in HIV research by using mRNA—the same technology behind COVID-19 vaccines—to flush the virus out of hiding in human cells, a feat once deemed unachievable. By injecting mRNA into white blood cells that harbor HIV, the team successfully forced the virus into the open, a critical step toward its eradication. While a cure is still years away, this breakthrough offers new hope for the 40 million people living with HIV worldwide. See in The Guardian.
US News
Gallup: Belief in “Born This Way” And Trans Rights Face Backlash
A new Gallup survey released June 10 reveals that only 45% of Americans now believe gay and lesbian people are "born that way"—the lowest level since 2013. The drop parallels an even deeper divide on transgender identity: just 30% of Americans say being transgender is rooted in biology, while 50% point to environmental or social factors. These findings reflect a broader rightward drift in public opinion on LGBTQ+ identities, with Republicans overwhelmingly rejecting biological explanations for both sexual orientation and gender identity. Gallup’s annual Values and Beliefs survey highlights how the culture wars—especially around trans rights—are reshaping beliefs once thought settled. While 74% of Democrats still affirm a biological basis for being gay or lesbian, only 29% of Republicans do. Professor Patrick Egan of NYU called the findings “a rich trove” and a wake-up call for LGBTQ+ advocates. Full results: Gallup.
Lambda Victory: Federal Court Halts Trump Orders
A federal judge has blocked the enforcement of three Trump-era executive orders that threatened funding for LGBTQ and HIV-serving nonprofits, ruling they likely violate constitutional protections. The preliminary injunction—secured by Lambda Legal in San Francisco AIDS Foundation v. Trump—protects nine organizations across the U.S. from losing federal support, affirming their right to provide essential services without being silenced. The court emphasized that the executive branch cannot weaponize funding to marginalize communities or suppress speech. The ruling allows nonprofits to continue delivering life-saving care while the broader legal fight unfolds. Read Lambda’s press release.
The Campaign to Disappear America’s Diversity
The Post claims that the Trump administration has launched a sweeping erasure of marginalized groups from federal records, websites, and data sets—an effort with disturbing scope and precision. From deleting over 26,000 Defense Department images (most depicting women, LGBTQ+ people, or people of color) to removing mentions of transgender and disabled Americans from health and justice databases, the administration is digitally scrubbing away evidence of diversity. Even foundational studies on women's health and immigrant status have been curtailed, while poor and disabled Americans are simply vanishing from government surveys and supports. See in The Washington Post.
The Gay Business
SCOTUS Opens the Door to “Reverse Discrimination” Claims
In a unanimous decision last week, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Marlean Ames, a straight woman who claimed she was twice passed over for promotion in favor of gay colleagues. While the ruling does not determine whether discrimination occurred, it does strike down a legal standard that required majority-group plaintiffs, like white or straight people, to meet a higher bar when alleging bias. The practical effect? A green light for a wave of so-called “reverse discrimination” lawsuits, particularly those targeting diversity and inclusion efforts. For LGBTQ+ people, this is more than legal semantics—it’s a strategic reshuffling. As Elie Mystal notes in The Nation, this ruling effectively hangs an “Open for Grievances” sign over every federal courthouse, offering new ammunition to those seeking to dismantle DEI programs under the guise of fairness. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, writing for the Court, leaned on textualist reasoning. Still, the real-world consequences are chilling: LGBTQ+ professionals may soon find their very presence used as evidence in cases aimed at eroding the legal gains we’ve fought for.
Pride 2025: Musical Chairs And The Corporate Exodus
This Pride season, the absences speak louder than the floats. As I told The Independent this week, we’re not just witnessing a scaling back of corporate support—we’re discovering just how conditional that support was. Brands that once elbowed each other for visibility during Pride are now embracing strategic silence, wary of political backlash under Trump’s renewed war on DEI. Yet this retreat may prove clarifying. In recent conversations, I’ve argued it’s time for the LGBTQ+ movement to move beyond American-centric models, pivot toward private diplomacy over public spectacle, and let go of the rented visibility we mistook for lasting power. Pride has become a litmus test for who shows up when it’s no longer easy, and that knowledge is power. (see also my comments in Crain and Monocle on Pride this week).
Popular Information: Names And Shames 19 Brands
An investigation by Popular Information reveals that 19 major companies, from Disney and Deloitte to UPS and Toyota, have either pulled or scaled back their Pride support, dropping sponsorships, shutting down LGBTQ+ employee groups, or quietly disappearing from event rosters. Lowe’s shuttered its LGBTQ resource group. Anheuser-Busch, long a fixture in St. Louis Pride, vanished. PwC, Citi or PepsiCo—once parade stalwarts—have ghosted NYC Pride entirely. Many cite vague marketing reviews or legal compliance.
A New Home for Queer Innovation in Silicon Alley
LGBT+ VC has launched the world’s first Center for LGBTQ+ Innovation during its third annual summit in New York. Positioned in Silicon Alley, this hub aims to empower LGBTQ and allied tech and AI founders through a coalition-backed ecosystem of investors, research, and policy. Read more here.
Queering the Boardroom
June 18th: Webinar on LGBTQ+ Leadership In the Boardroom
On June 18 at 3 p.m. EST, the Association of LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors will host a virtual Pride Month panel on LGBTQ+ representation in corporate governance. Moderated by yours truly, the conversation will feature leaders like Nathan Richardson and Adam Stanley. The discussion will tackle progress and setbacks—including the recent repeal of the NASDAQ board diversity rule—and explore how the LGBTQ+ business community can adapt and amplify its impact in a shifting political landscape. Register here.
Semi-cultural desk
India’s Trans and Non-Binary Youth in Focus
In Who Am I?!, Jitendra Jerry’s robust and ongoing portrait series, the camera becomes a mirror—one that queer, trans, and non-binary youth in India rarely see themselves in. Spanning Delhi to Yellapur, the project captures over 150 young people as they wish to be seen, resisting tokenism with raw, lived intimacy. See the pictures here.
What to Read? Les Prédateurs by Giuliano da Empoli
"The inexorable harshness of the world." That line haunted me as I read Les Prédateurs on the flight back to France on Monday, just two days after publishing my Pride manifesto on how LGBTQ+ people can find their place in a harsher new world order. In this gripping political fiction, Giuliano da Empoli (Le Mage du Kremlin) turns his gaze to the future the tech bros have in mind for humankind. As da Empoli writes:
The first law of strategic behavior is action. In situations of uncertainty, where the legitimacy of power is precarious and can be challenged at any moment, the one who does not act can be sure that change will occur to their disadvantage.
What to Read? Curtis Yarvin’s piece in The New Yorker
Ava Kofman’s New Yorker profile of Curtis Yarvin—once fringe blogger “Mencius Moldbug,” now muse to Peter Thiel and J.D. Vance—traces how a queer man became the philosopher of America’s emerging authoritarian right. Yarvin envisions a future ruled by CEO-monarchs, backed by private militias and "boards" of elites. He proposes “a humane alternative to genocide” for dealing with society’s so-called undesirables (that’s YOU) and promotes racial hierarchy under the guise of “human biodiversity.” Frankly, his ties to Peter Thiel or Renaud Camus do not reassure me - they are both post-gay.
What to watch? State of Firsts: Sarah McBride’s Stand
Premiering this Pride season, State of Firsts follows Rep. Sarah McBride’s historic first year as the first openly trans member of Congress. The documentary, directed by Chase Joynt, captures McBride’s quiet resolve as she faces harassment, misgendering, and death threats from MAGA colleagues—yet stays focused on policy over spectacle—a powerful portrait of dignity under fire.
What To See In NYC? The Met’s Superfine
If you’re in New York this summer (I am), make time for Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.
Tony Awards: Cole Escola’s Victory and Benj Pasek’s 40th
Cole Escola’s riotously queer Oh, Mary! snagged Best Play at the Tony Awards (see in the NYTimes), marking a career-defining moment for one of downtown theatre’s most irreverent voices; their portrayal of a boozy, unhinged Mary Todd Lincoln captivated audiences and critics alike with its unapologetic camp and brilliance. Fittingly, this week also marks the birthday of Benj Pasek, whose emotionally resonant songwriting (Dear Evan Hansen, La La Land) helped pave the way for a more expansive, heartfelt, and inclusive Broadway. Happy birthday to Pasek, and long live the queers reshaping theatre in their image.
What to watch? La Pampa
I watched Antoine Chevrollier’s feature debut La Pampa is a sun-dappled, emotionally blistering coming-of-age story set in rural France, where teenage motocross and queer desire collide. At its heart are best friends Willy and Jojo, whose bond unravels after a secret affair and a devastating wave of small-town homophobia. It’s a good reminder that growing up gay in working-class rural areas can be as daunting as in places where homosexuality is still criminalized. Our journey is far from over.
Beyond the Apps: How to Meet Gay Men in Real Life
That’s the topic of Ask Alexander’s column this week. The apps are often a swamp of sameness, scams, and missed connections. But what if we’ve been asking the wrong question? Instead of how to optimize our dating profiles, maybe we should ask how to be seen—offline. Cheves offers a roadmap: queer book clubs, volunteering, film screenings, the gym, even the produce aisle. The answer, it turns out, is embarrassingly analog: show up. Say hello. Be a little awkward. If you want to meet men doing something real, you must do something real yourself. There was even a pitch for Analog Cruising by Leo Herrera. It was addressed to a 42-year-old single gay man, but I felt seen in my late forties.
Coming and Going
Gina Ortiz Jones Makes History in San Antonio
Our friend Gina Ortiz Jones won the mayoral race in San Antonio, becoming the first openly LGBTQ+ person and Filipina American to lead the nation’s seventh-largest city. Let’s keep the momentum going by supporting the Victory Fund.
Bob Witeck Honored with Marriott’s Inaugural #LoveTravels Award
At the Westin Downtown DC during a WorldPride-affiliated event, legendary LGBTQ+ advocate Bob Witeck received the first-ever #LoveTravels award from Marriott International. The award recognizes his decades of work advancing LGBTQ+ visibility in business, media, and public affairs. “We are all better for Bob’s innumerable contributions,” said my friend Ben Finzel, who attended the event. Read more here.
NCLR Becomes the National Center for LGBTQ Rights
Nearly 50 years after its founding, the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) has officially renamed itself the National Center for LGBTQ Rights—marking a powerful evolution that reflects both the breadth of its work and the urgency of the political moment. Born in 1977 to support lesbian mothers facing custody loss, NCLR broke ground by centering women’s legal battles in a male-dominated movement. Today, its docket spans trans rights, youth protection, asylum, healthcare, and litigation against discriminatory executive orders. “We’ve always served the entire LGBTQ community,” said Legal Director Shannon Minter. “Now our name does too.” —full story via The Seattle Lesbian.
The Gay Agenda
Pride Isn't Over Until We Say So
On June 23, I’ll head to Wall Street for the 2025 NYSE Pride Summit, where I’ll join fellow LGBTQ+ changemakers to discuss conviction, capital, and community. On June 27, I’ll honor one of our giants at the co-naming of Mixner’s Corner in Times Square, commemorating David Mixner’s indelible contributions to LGBTQ+ rights. And finally, the twins and I will trade our signature blazers for rainbow gear to ride the Lambda Legal float in NYC Pride. See you out there.
June 13: East Meets West Elevates LGBTQ+ Business Voices
Vienna hosts the annual East Meets West Conference this week, an essential gathering spotlighting LGBTQ+ professionals and allies from across Europe, particularly the embattled East. Economist and author Jens Schadendorf (of GaYme Changer fame) will deliver the keynote. See here.
Well, that’s it for this week—I’m already late and rushing to Midtown, which might as well be my middle name these days. As Pride month barrels on, I’m struck by a certain duality: the pageantry persists, but the scaffolding that once held it up is starting to buckle. Some will disappear until it’s politically convenient again. Others, as always, will carry the weight. But there’s clarity in that. As I told my ex’s latest ex (yes, really), the point isn’t to look back. It’s to stop replicating past victories—and start inventing new ones.
Thanks Alexandra - I echoed Le Monde’s reading of the symbols but you are right it was re-used originally by Act Up. What was strange though was that the triangle “Action = Life” was in a different direction originally downfacing while “Silence = Death” was upward. https://images.app.goo.gl/NnPsaeuPvPz8hc649
Thanks for all the great info! I did want to briefly inquire (in regards to the Paris Pride poster) as to why you only referred to the inverted pink triangle shirt as having the "pink triangle used by the Nazis" when the design of the shirt is specifically mirroring the "Silence = Death" imagery from the AIDS crisis? The pink triangle symbol does very much come from the Nazi regime, yes, but I just found it interesting that that was the only context you gave for it when it was present in a shirt that was meant to mirror the Silence = Death image. I really hope this isn't coming across in a confrontational way, I just thought that explanation was a specific choice to make and I was curious about it!