Fabrice Houdart | A weekly newsletter on LGBTQ+ Equality
Vatican’s early Xmas present, a dystopian Hungary, scapegoat economics, Capitol Hill Shenanigans, Top 50 Diverse Board Candidates, 6 steps to the Board, a queer SNL, Musk on DEI and more…
Welcome to the 149th issue of my equality news digest. I share important (and much less important) news, updates, and commentaries about the LGBTQ+ equality movement at the intersection of business. All this with a touch of sarcasm and a side of reality check: what is there not to like? Let's start, shall we?
This week: Vatican’s early Xmas present, a dystopian Hungary, scapegoat economics, Capitol Hill Shenanigans, Top 50 Diverse Board Candidates, six steps to the Board, a queer SNL, Musk on DEI, and more…
Global News
Vatican: an early present for the gays
In a celestial plot twist, the Vatican has decreed that priests can bless same-sex unions. Cardinal Burke would probably be horribly annoyed if he weren’t still busy house-hunting. It's a monumental step for LGBTQ+ inclusivity within the Church, provided you don't squint too hard at the details: the blessing of “couple(s) in an irregular situation,” yes; marriage never! The Vatican's document, Fiducia Supplicans (Supplicating Trust), emphasizes that these blessings should be an intimate affair, away from the pomp and circumstance of traditional marriage rituals. That might be a tall order for the gays I know. Fr. James Martin reacted in America Magazine:
This is an early Christmas present for the Catholic Church and for so many people who have felt that God really isn’t accompanying them—and that the church, more specifically, is not accompanying them—and now they will feel more accompanied and able to do these things in public.
Hungary: Silencing Dissent?
Hungary, seemingly nostalgic for the days of yore, has passed a Sovereignty Protection Law that equips the government with a shiny new tool to target pesky government critics, including LGBTQ+ rights advocates. It's like bringing a cannon to a knife fight against democracy. The new Office for the Defense of Sovereignty sounds like a plot twist in a dystopian novel, ready to single out anybody suspected of foreign influence. And, of course, "foreign" here really means "not aligned with the current government's views." This legislation mirrors Russia's blockbuster 'foreign agent' law. It effectively throws up a smokescreen, allowing Hungary's government to label dissent as a national threat: welcome to a new post-U.S. Empire World: fasten your seatbelts. Read more here.
Uganda: a Spectacle of Injustice
Uganda's Constitutional Court is currently hearing challenges to the Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA), the other contender - besides Hungary - for our 'Most Backwards Legislation of the Year' award. Stepping into the legal ring to defend it is none other than Pastor Martin Ssempa, who has been on a lucrative lifelong crusade to "kick sodomy out of Uganda.” The Attorney General and a cast of characters worthy of a Kafka novel are joining him as defendants. The Court accepted no private sector Amicus Brief (which few companies had signed), but UNAIDS was allowed to file one. The case isn't just a local issue; it's a litmus test for LGBTQ+ rights across East Africa. Frank Mugisha summed it up:
We filed a very strong case and expect to win, but we are also aware that anti-gay groups in Uganda have a lot of momentum.
Scapegoat Economics: the Queer Community in the Crosshairs
I am often reminded of our primitivism, meaning our experience of extreme modernity without any enlightenment: that is true of our economy, democracy, social media, and, now AI. Economist Paul Donovan has spotlighted a trend in his recent op-ed: the rise of 'scapegoat economics.' Donovan points out the dangerous and illogical trend of targeting queer people during economic upheavals. He explains that 'scapegoat economics' crop up when societies face economic and social shifts. People look for easy answers to complex problems, and, unfortunately, blaming a marginalized group is a tragically simple solution. He warns that dismissing each instance of prejudice as isolated risks ignoring the broader, dangerous pattern that could escalate globally. Read the entire piece here.
Global LGBTQ+ Rights in 2023: A Mixed Bag of Progress and Setbacks
Next week, this newsletter will focus on finding trends in the other 51 weeklies I shared. Already looking back at 2023, I see a mixed picture. Amidst significant setbacks in Uganda, Poland, Hungary, Russia, and the U.S., there have been noteworthy strides towards equality. Five countries have decriminalized consensual same-sex relations, including Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, St. Kitts and Nevis, Singapore, and the Cook Islands. The legal recognition of LGBTQ+ family rights, however, remains a complex issue with varied progress in Namibia, Nepal, Bolivia, South Korea, and even Japan in recognizing certain rights for same-sex couples. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
US News
Ich bin ein Coloradan!
Well, first of all, thank God for Colorado. There seems to be an adult in the room, after all.
Capitol Hill: Why American gays can’t have anything nice
Last June, trans model Rose Montoya went topless during the White House Pride party. This week, it’s a gay staffer who rocked Capitol Hill. Aidan Maese-Czeropski, an aide to Senator Ben Cardin, decided to get a little frisky in the Senate hearing room Hart 216, with most of the action taking place on the dais itself, between the seats of Senators Amy Klobuchar and Chris Coons. The best summary of this debacle is on MetroWeekly. Talk about bringing new meaning to 'political intercourse'! Washington has seen its fair share of scandals (Jamie Kirchick mentioned the later Rep. Jon Hinson, this week). Still, I am afraid it’s not the best time for LGBTQ+ to get bad press... Maese-Czeropski defended his actions on LinkedIn with a statement for the anals of history along the lines of Montoya‘s “I am just living my truth”:
This has been a difficult time for me, as I have been attacked for who I love to pursue a political agenda. While some of my actions in the past have shown poor judgement, I love my job and would never disrespect my workplace.
And here is why it matters…
The truth is that conservatives do interpret and remember stories linked to LGBTQ+ rights: look at the graph below, which was extracted from Semafor. But perhaps more importantly, Americans must never forget that narratives at home affect the outcomes of LGBTQ+ people worldwide because U.S. News continues to dominate the airwaves.
What’s to come by Kevin Jennings
Jennings, the CEO of Lambda Legal, recently shared his insights on the "Beyond Politics" podcast, paralleling the early struggles for marriage equality and the current legal challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community, especially transgender individuals. Listen to his full interview here.
White Christian Nationalism: Onishi rings the alarm bell
In his interview with the Village Voice, Brad Onishi discusses his new book "Preparing for War," which explores the dangers posed by white Christian nationalism. Onishi, who was once part of this movement, warns of the potential for violence, particularly as the 2024 presidential election looms. His insights underscore that particular political rhetoric, particularly from figures like Mike Huckabee, is tearing at the fabric of American society, posing significant risks to minority groups, including the LGBTQ+ community.
Rob Smith and MAGA Hecklers
Rob Smith, the Black and gay Republican influencer and Army veteran, had an unpleasant encounter at a MAGA Republicans gathering in Phoenix, Arizona. Smith, who was attending the event hosted by Republicans for National Renewal, was surrounded and bullied by a group using racist and homophobic slurs. He expressed fear for his safety, suggesting the situation could have escalated to violence. Smith emphasized that such hate does not represent the broader Republican Party or Trump supporters. Watch the video here.
Queering the Boardroom
A Year of Queering the Corporate Boardroom: Association's 2023 Review
For the second year, the Association of LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors has led the conversation on LGBTQ+ board diversity. We expanded our programming to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, and DC with significant events. We increased our membership, built partnerships with key organizations in the governance space, improved the visibility of our candidates, and impacted advocacy (see our letter to the SEC below). Read our year-in-review on our website.
Association Advocates for Board Diversity Reporting Beyond NASDAQ
The Association justsubmitted a letter to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) urging the implementation of a rule for enhanced corporate board diversity disclosure. We emphasized the proven benefits of diverse leadership in decision-making and corporate performance. We advocated for a standardized reporting format, "a la NASDAQ,” including voluntary self-identification and clear disaggregation of diversity data to meet investor demands and enhance market transparency. The request aligns with the SEC's goals to safeguard investors and ensure fair and efficient markets. Read the letter here.
Matt Fust lands Board at Electra Therapeutics
Matt Fust, who taught me most of what I know about the Boardroom, joined another Board at Electra Therapeutics as an Independent Director. His board memberships include Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc., Neumora Therapeutics, Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, Atara Biotherapeutics, and STAR Therapeutics. Fust also contributes as an advisor to Juvena Therapeutics.
Association Celebrates Members' Recognition
The Association was proud to see the inclusion of Jonté Harrell, Allen Levenson, Lisa Manley, Denny Tu, Louis Vega, and founding board member of the Association Richard Socarides in the Top 50 Diverse Board Candidates list for 2023 presented by Equilar and Nasdaq this week. It is especially significant considering the current underrepresentation of LGBTQ+ individuals in NASDAQ-listed companies’ board positions (1.2% in 2023 as per our data).
6 Steps to Becoming a Corporate Board Member
An article by Celia Huber, Nina Spielmann, and Ilana Wolfe outlines a six-step guide for individuals aspiring to join corporate boards. These steps include understanding board responsibilities, raising one's professional visibility, conducting in-depth research on potential companies, engaging effectively in the interview process, selecting a board that aligns with personal values and skills, and integrating into the boardroom dynamics—full article on McKinsey’s website.
The Gay Business
Elon Musk has something to say on DEI 💥🚀
The French have BHL, while Americans have Elon Musk. The U.S. philosopher has graced us once again with his wisdom. In a recent tweet, he criticized DEI initiatives, calling them "propaganda words for racism, sexism, and other -isms." Who needs equal opportunity and diversity when you can have thought leadership from a billionaire? 🌟🚗
DEI must DIE. The point was to end discrimination, not replace it with different discrimination
Challenging Time for LGBTQ+ Business Networks
The anti-DEI rhetoric has had an impact on LGBTQ+ business networks. The founder of one of these “coalitions” has lamented a noticeable decrease in his corporate members. This development underscores the need to move beyond repetitive rhetoric, New York gatherings, and “it is good for business” mantras. The time for“LGBTQ+ platforms” to print money might be over, and it is for the best: we got lazy and greedy.
The Semi-cultural desk
I watched the Hallmark gay-themed movie trailer, so you don’t have to
"Christmas on Cherry Lane," a Hallmark movie featuring an LGBTQ+ couple, debuted last week. At the risk of sounding like the Grinch, I suggest you skip it and instead focus on the 50 Best Movies on Netflix.
George Santos reminds us you are to blame.
In her interview with George Santos, Ziwe Fumudoh grills him, and … I have to say he is pretty good. A standout moment involved Ziwe tricking Santos into saying "icon," twisting it to "I con." Santos, unfazed, responded to Ziwe's probing with a shrug, noting the public's love for such content. He is unbearable. We are unbearable.
The Hermes story: Unconventional Heirs and Loyal Assistants
We heard this week that Nicolas Puech, Hermès' heir, plans to leave a substantial part of his $14 billion fortune to his gardener, whom he intends to adopt. Lord Glenconner, Colin Tennant, left his entire estate to his loyal manservant, Kent Adonai, after a seven-year legal battle with his family. Meanwhile, in India, Ratan Tata's assistant, Shantanu Naidu, seems well positioned for a similar jackpot.
“Fellow travelers”: GLAAD, judge and party
In The Hollywood Reporter, GLAAD discusses the significance of the Showtime series "Fellow Travelers" in LGBTQ+ storytelling. Ellis notes the portrayal of queer characters and the importance of representing LGBTQ history and issues accurately and sensitively and commends the series for representing different aspects of the LGBTQ experience, including the struggles of transgender and nonbinary individuals. I agree. Still, GLAAD has good reasons to express its love for it; it consults with studios through the GLAAD Media Institute on crafting these stories. It's quite the intelligent setup, maybe not ethical but clever; Paramount gets a seal of approval, and GLAAD receives a check.
Catnip: a super lesbianish SNL skit
SNL's 'Whiskers R We' with Billie Eilish - who voluntarily or involuntarily just came out - and Kate McKinnon is a cat-tastic romp through the world of quirky feline humor. It's a purr-fect blend of laughs and 'paw-sitivity,' claw-verly exploring queer themes. Fur-real, it's a hiss-terical sketch that'll have you feline good (ok I admit this is too much).
Coming and Going
Opportunity at the Trevor Project
Baby Bankers, swap your spreadsheets for a cause! The Trevor Project is looking for a Manager, Rapid Response Strategy. This isn't your average remote role—it's a chance to pivot from profit margins to meaningful impact, with a salary range of $75,000 - $85,000. Here, you'll employ your analytical prowess to dissect harmful state legislations and strategize on LGBTQ+ mental health and suicide prevention. Ready to trade in your tie for a cape? For details and to apply, click here. Questions can be directed to cateeria.branch@thetrevorproject.org.
GLSEN left X
We are just surprised anybody was still on it. See the announcement here.
Well, that’s it for this week. As we wrap up a rollercoaster week of sex scandals and Vatican surprises (not overlapping for once), I'm diving off the digital grid for a short pause after a busy year. Fear not; I will resurface briefly on December 27th for our 150th newsletter, a 2023 recap.
Let me take this opportunity to thank you again for being a part of this community and for your support this year. Happy holidays.