Fabrice Houdart | A weekly newsletter on LGBTQ+ Equality
This week: a Kyrgyz distraction, French transhysteria, situation in Asia, negative signals from Museveni, Mickey Mouse vs. DeSantis, LGBTQ+ POC in the Boardroom, The Blue Caftan, see you in Mumbai ...
Welcome to my weekly equality news digest, where I share important (and much less important) news, updates, and commentary about the global LGBTQ+ equality movement at the intersection with business.
This week: a Kyrgyz distraction, French trans hysteria, situation in Asia, negative signals from Museveni, Mickey Mouse vs. DeSantis, LGBTQ+ POC in the Boardroom, The Blue Caftan, see you in Mumbai ...
Global News
France: Eugénie Bastié imports trans-hysteria
This week in Le Figaro Magazine, I read a dithyrambic eloge of the new book-length essay Sauver La Différence Des Sexes (Save Sex Differences) and a sympathetic portrait of its author [see here], the conservative columnist Eugénie Bastié, 31. Le Figaro reminds us of her credentials on gender issues: she is a « jeune mère de famille ». The essay warns that Anglo-Saxon feminist and transgender activism is threatening France too. A new scarecrow for local conservatives: a French society besieged by Americanized “woke” activists keen on eliminating the “natural order of things.”
The Kyrgyz Republic can fight strawmen too
On March 17th, the Kyrgyz Parliament proposed a Bill titled "On Measures to Prevent Harm to Children's Health, Their Recovery, Intellectual, Mental, Spiritual, and Moral Development in the Kyrgyz Republic" [see here] The Bill aims to prohibit so-called propaganda of “non-traditional sexual relationships.” Have you noticed it is always the places whose last worry should be LGBTQ+ people that come up with stuff like this? (not unlike Florida, ground zero for climate change in the US). Why didn’t Kyrgyz parliamentarians instead focus on a law to fight corruption, the pillage of natural resources, ethnic discrimination, or to save democracy? Learn more about the Kumtor gold mine here.
Uganda: you might have moved on; Museveni did not
This week President Museveni called on African leaders to reject “the promotion of homosexuality”, a signal he might sign the anti-homosexuality bill into law (see here). He, however, did not decry the vanishing glaciers in his country. This week, Open for Business, the oldest and largest coalition of companies fighting for Equality, pointed out the bill will make it impossible for businesses to operate there as "it will compel companies to report those perceived to be LGBTQ+ to the authorities" in violation of their own human rights responsibilities. See and echo the business statement here.
HIV: Montagnier vs. Gallo, 40 years since the discovery of the virus
In May 1983, a young French scientist, Professor Montagnier, found a suspect virus he called LAV (lymphadenopathy-associated virus). What followed was one of the ugliest scientific wars. In December, the American Robert Gallo published a paper claiming he had found the virus, which he called HTLV-III. The bitter dispute ended officially in 1987 when the US president and the French prime minister announced a joint agreement declaring that Gallo and Montagnier shared credit for the discovery. Still, Montagnier got a Nobel Prize for it, but Gallo didn’t, which kind of settled the dispute. I am not saying that because I am French. If you want to learn more, read Montagnier’s obituary here (he died last year).
Tunisia: caught between racism and homophobia
DAMJ, the Tunisian LGBTQ+ organization, reported that buildings located in the city center and northern Tunis, housing many sub-Saharan migrants from the LGBTQ+ community, were attacked on the nights of February 20 and 23 by a group of individuals armed with knives. These attacks followed the scapegoating declarations of the Tunisian President against sub-Saharan migrants. Channel France 24 had already picked up this story.
Asia: the nuances of the fight for LGBTQ+ rights
As the Institute of Current World Affairs launches its inaugural David Mixner Fellowship sponsored by Barilla Group, David Bohnett Foundation, and others, I moderated a virtual discussion this morning with David Mixner, fellow Edric Huang, Amb. Chantale Wong and my friend Yanhui Peng in a webinar this week. It was a lot of fun with Edric and Yanzi advocating for cautious optimism, Yanzi reminding us that the private sector can and should champion LGBTQ+ issues in China (and offering his help), and Mixner reminding us that the key is to get out elected officials. I will share the recording shortly.
US News
The financial vulnerability of LGBTQ+ people
This week CLEAR (center for Economic LGBTQ+ Advancement and Research) and the Movement Advancement Project (MAP) have released their latest report: The LGBTQI+ Economic and Financial (LEAF) Survey: Understanding the Financial Lives of LGBTQI+ People in the United States (see the full report here). Among the highlights, #LGBTQ+ people cannot rely as much on family financial support after coming out—similarly, 40% report out-of-pocket costs in family formation. Twice as many LGBTQ+ respondents versus non-LGBTQ+ respondents reported feeling anxious, overwhelmed, and depressed about their finances. And 11% report experiencing discrimination in access to financial services. There are two crucial conclusions: i) there are still hidden mechanisms of exclusion our community is unaware of - more research is needed; ii) LGBTQ+ people and their allies must support LGBTQ+-inclusive finance.
New Jersey: now a haven for trans youth
Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 326 yesterday, establishing New Jersey as a “safe haven” for gender-affirming health care by directing all state departments and agencies to protect all persons, including health care professionals and patients, against potential repercussions related to gender-affirming health care services. Please read about it here.
Taylor Marjorie Greene and the trans day of Vengeance
Before coming to NYC to defend Trump along with George Santos (see here) and compare his ordeal to Christ’s (see here), MTJ found time to indulge in her favorite hobby, vilifying trans people. She had a whole narrative about TDOV and how it is Transgender Day of Vengeance, linking it to the tragic Nashville shooting. Twitter suspended her Congressional account for seven days last week (read more here). I loved this Andy Borowitz’quip last month:
Chinese Reportedly Spied on Marjorie Taylor Greene But Found No Intelligence
The strange book banning US Obsession
“I am Jazz”, a relatively benign 2014 book, is one of the most banned books in America. This week, it was the object of a judgment (see Texas Federal District Court Orders Censored Books Returned to Library Shelves in Llano County). The book was written by Jazz Jennings, who grew up in South Florida, of all places, and graduated from Broward County Public Schools in 2019. The book is oh-so subversive:
My best friends are Samantha and Casey. We always have fun together. We like high heels and princess gowns or cartwheels and trampolines. But I’m not exactly like Samantha and Casey. I have a girl brain but a boy body. This is called transgender. I was born this way!”.
As a side note, Jazz went on her first date in four years recently on reality TV and was very nervous (see here). French author Frederic Beigbeder, in an article criticizing wokeism (also in Le Figaro this week- seems like the topic du jour), said something that made sense right before comparing himself to Bret Easton-Ellis, which is ludicrous:
let’s not forget that when we burn books, we often end up exterminating people with glasses like pol pot did.
From the Boardroom
April 21st - noon - Webinar: develop your board narrative/materials
The Association of LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors is hosting Tissa Richards, the board service guru who accompanies aspiring Board directors, on April 21st at noon EST for a session titled: "How to develop your board narrative/materials to increase success"” Register here.
JP Morgan leads the way in its proxy statement
JP Morgan might not be under NASDAQ listing rules jurisdiction (it is on the NYSE), but it voluntarily disclosed the SOGI status of its Board members. The Bank’s proxy statement, released yesterday, with their annual report and Jamie Dimon’s letter to shareholders, included non-binary, transgender, and LGBTQ+ status to their Board Diversity and Experience Matrix. See page 12 of the Proxy Statement.
The Association’s survey: what about LGBTQ+ POC in the Boardroom?
75% of all qualified respondents (existing and aspiring candidates) to the Association of LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors’ survey were white. Of the 31 non-white aspiring Board members (8 of which were African-Americans) who responded, 55% percent felt their sexual orientation was making it difficult to land a first seat which was higher than overall respondents (45%). This is unsurprising as bias against LGBTQ+ people tends to be heaviest on racial minorities. Interestingly, very few reported being engaged in underrepresented minority Directors groups: 2 with Latino Corporate Directors Association (LCDA), 2 with Ascend Pinnacle, and 1 with the Executive Leadership Council. Self-exclusion by LGBTQ+ people from Board organizations is widespread, which is why the Association has been partnering actively with these specific groups and the NACD (National Association of Corporate Directors). Of the small sample of non-white existing LGBTQ+ directors, half were serving on the Audit Committee. This is not unusual as serving on the Audit Committee is often perceived as a “selling point” for members of underrepresented groups in the Boardroom. A full report of the survey is in the works.
The Gay Business
Disney - DeSantis: the sequel
Are we still talking about Disney? Yep, we are. Because DeSantis wants to punish Mickey Mouse for being woke, Mickey says DeSantis is anti-business. I am exhausted just typing that. Bob Iger had harsh words at the Company’s Annual Meeting this week while outlining billions of future investments in the state. Now if you want to learn about Disney’s wokeness history and have a terrific laugh, I suggest heading to Jack Plotnick’s page.
Is DEI over?
That’s what The Washington Post seems to think. In the meantime, the Trevor Project is recruiting its first DEI Director.
“Hiring of chief diversity officers declined 4.5 percent from 2021 to 2022, according to recent LinkedIn data, and some large employers cut positions. Amazon, Twitter, Wayfair, Nike, and Intel are among big companies that slashed DEI jobs recently amid larger waves of layoffs.”
The semi-cultural desk
Randy Rainbow on Trump’s indictment
A light and hilarious take on American shenanigans this week here.
I finally finished Bret Easton-Ellis, “The Shards”
BEE is nostalgic for 1981. A time when abusing substances and being superficial was inconsequential. I did not learn anything but was entertained by at least half the book. Next on my night table is 962 pages of “Far from the Tree” by Andrew Solomon.
The blue Caftan
In movie theaters now, “The Blue Caftan” depicts a complex love story (aren’t all our love stories complex?) between two men in Morocco. Read this interview with writer/director Maryam Touzani and watch the trailer below.
Depressing series about rich people
I am watching Succession (HBO) and Fleishman in Trouble (Hulu, single dad, in his 40s, separated but straight and a doctor, really nothing in common). While everybody misbehaves, it is heartwarming to realize that Fire Island gay nouveaux riches are equally unbearable as 92Y straight nouveaux riches.
The Gay Agenda
Today Rep. Mark Takano meets French Special Envoy
Rep. Mark Takano - who made headlines lately for championing a 4-day workweek (I am in) - is meeting with French Special Envoy on LGBTQ+ rights, Jean-Marc Berthon. Berthon just participated in a Conference focused on LGBTQ+ rights in francophone Africa.
Next week: see you in Mumbai
On Monday, I am heading to Mumbai for the Godrej Leadership Forum. Perfect timing as the LGBTQ+ community is getting ready for the marriage equality ruling. If you are in town, please reach out.
April 24 - 30th: Lesbian Visibility Week
Lesbian Visibility Week is around the corner, an occasion to celebrate lesbians and show solidarity with all women in our community. It is not too late if your company has not planned any event.
Well, that’s it, you are all caught up with obscure gay news, and I am heading for lunch at the Grand Central Oyster Bar. I am looking forward to writing to you next week from India.