Fabrice Houdart | A weekly newsletter on LGBTQ+ Equality
This week: theatrics in Uganda, antics in Russia, Cardinal Burke’s lace, Madrigal’s dress, the Florida GOP scandal, Santos bounces back, Billie Eilish, Jorge Martin and my letter from Paris, and more…
Welcome to the 147th issue of my equality news digest. I share important news, updates, and commentary about the LGBTQ+ equality movement at the intersection of business with a touch of signature sarcasm and a side of reality check. Let's start, shall we?
This week: theatrics in Uganda, antics in Russia, Cardinal Burke’s lace, Madrigal’s dress, the Florida GOP scandal, Santos bounces back, Billie Eilish, Jorge Martin and my letter from Paris, and more…
🌏 Global News
Jordan's LGBTQ+ Crackdown
Human Rights Watch reports that Jordan's authorities are targeting LGBTQ+ rights activists. This crackdown is forcing many into silence or exile. HRW has documented cases where activists were interrogated, threatened, and intimidated, leading to a chilling effect on the entire community. This news is not a good look as Jordan seeks international support for human rights in the region.
Merely existing in Amman has become terrifying. We cannot continue our work as activists, and we are forced to be hyperaware of our surroundings as individuals.
Uganda's Financial Pivot to China and Constitutional Court Hearing
Uganda's announced shift towards Chinese financial support is another layer of theatrics around the Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA). To be blunt, Museveni knows he has no choice but to remain engaged with Bretton Woods institutions and plans to do so. He is under intense pressure as Washington announced it would restrict visas for Ugandans who enforce the law. In the meantime, the Constitutional Court is set to hear petitions challenging the law next week. I predict the decision will severely curtail AHA, but the damage is now done. There was an announcement that a March Against Homosexuality is planned for February in Kampala. I was interviewed by the South Morning China Post this week:
Fabrice Houdart […] said that, in practice, the World Bank was not cutting lending to Uganda, and the African nation should persist with the global lender instead of chasing China
Russia's Intimidation Game: The Masha Gessen case
Russia’s criminal case against well-known journalist and LGBTQ+ activist Masha Gessen, who lives in the U.S., is part of the trend to scare LGBTQ+ people into leaving the country. Read more here.
Russia: Alleged “raids” on gay clubs
I wrote a piece asking for a Marshall plan for LGBTQ+ people this week after the regime took new steps to make lives for LGBTQ+ people increasingly impossible. Rumor grew this week that Russian digital mapping company 2GIS has been instructed to compile a registry of LGBTQ+ businesses. Charming…
United Nations: Victor's Amsterdam Rainbow Dress Moment
Last week, it was Madrigal’s birthday; this week, it is his défilé. Photographer Tim Walker immortalized him in the Amsterdam Rainbow Dress. Each flag on the dress is from a country where homosexuality is criminalized. It was a perfect ending to his mandate at the United Nations.
Vatican: The Pope evicts Cardinal Burke
In a surprising move, the Pope evicted the viciously anti-LGBTQ+ Cardinal Burke from his home and revoked his pay. Between us, while I am a non-practicing catholic, Burke is a non-practicing gay man, although I am not sure he knows it. Frederic Martel tweeted:
Parish | My favorite cardinal has problems with Pope Francis — and not just over lace matters! #burke #lace
Nepal’s Historic Same-Sex Marriage Recognition
After a few months of lack of clarity, Nepal registered its first same-sex marriage last week, becoming the first South Asian country to do so. This marks a historic and significant step forward for LGBTQ+ rights in the region. See here.
🇺🇸 U.S. News
Florida: Moms for Liberty burst into flames
Moms for Liberty is metaphorically self-combusting in front of our very eyes. For our foreign friends: Bridget Ziegler, co-founder of Moms for Liberty, is embroiled in a sex abuse scandal along with her husband, Christian Ziegler, the Florida Republican Party’s chairman (GOP). Bridget admitted to having a sexual relationship with the woman accusing her husband of rape. Former GOP operative Rick Wilson's commentary on the scandal sheds light on the deep-seated hypocrisy within the party. His critique reveals how power abuse and moral posturing have overshadowed genuine concerns in the state's political landscape. Read more.
I wish to God this story was just about Republican social conservative hypocrisy. I wish it were about a jackass and his wife getting busted in a basic-bitch sex scandal. Sadly, it also appears to be about violence and rape. Both Zieglers must resign their posts
Florida: Controversial Public School Library Stance
Florida's latest legal brief claims that public school libraries are forums for government speech, not free expression. This bold stance against LGBTQ+ and race-themed books in schools could have profound implications on First Amendment rights and educational freedom. It is crucial to our community: our priority should be inclusion in the curriculum. Read more
Efforts to Block LGBTQ+ Issues in Schools Backfiring
Conservative efforts to block LGBTQ+ discussions in schools are facing increasing resistance. PEN America’s report highlights a significant shift in state legislation and executive orders, focusing on censoring LGBTQ+ issues. Despite 110 educational gag order bills being introduced in 2023, only 10 became law. There’s a growing resistance to these laws, with at least 13 lawsuits pending against educational gag orders.
🏢 In the Boardroom
U.S.: Attorney Generals against Board Diversity
In a significant development, certain U.S. Attorney Generals urged the Fifth Circuit to reconsider their stance on board diversity after it defeated Jay Blum’s lawsuit against the NASDAQ disclosure rule. The increasing politicization of Board diversity - a business issue - is worrying.
India: the LGBTQ+ board diversity question
I gave an interview to MoneyControl this week about the possibility that the NASDAQ Board Diversity disclosure rule could open the debate in India. Indeed, 12 Indian companies are listed on the exchange. Read my interview here.
Generational differences and increased visibility […] will have profound implications for business, not only for attracting talent but also for how it sells products and services to a generation that has a different relationship to sexuality and gender
LGBTQ+ movements in the Boardroom
Matt Fust is now a Board Member at STAR Therapeutics. Susan Lester joined the Banc of California Board. Darren Walker joined the Bloomberg LP’s Board. Patricia Walsh left the Board of Corbridge Financial. Amy Errett left the Board of the Human Rights Campaign.
The Gay Business
Veteran Entrepreneur Building LGBTQ+ Senior Community
Loren Ostrow is developing an LGBTQ+ senior community in Palm Springs, California, to address the specific needs of LGBTQ+ seniors. See here.
Sam Altman's Tech Tango: Dancing with Toxic Masculinity
We know we can be gay and still be an instrument of patriarchy. At OpenAI, two women left the board to be replaced by Larry Summers. An op-ed on FastCompany suggested that it exemplifies the role of toxic masculinity in tech. Wouldn’t you rather have some women handling algorithmic bias? As Christine Lagarde once said:
If Lehman Brothers had been Lehman Sisters, we would not be in the mess we were in
🎭 Semi-Cultural Desk
Santos already cashes in
I told you that Santos, who just became just the sixth member in Congress’ history to be ousted by colleagues, would bank on it. Santos already hired an agent, but for now, he indicated he prefers Cameo to reality TV. “The demand continues to be ridiculous. It’s right up my alley.” Watch SNL's take on his being kicked out.
Billie Eilish: Losing Followers but Winning At Life
Recently, Eilish (you can say you have no idea who she is, no judgment here: she is a singer meteoric rise in the music industry) confirmed her queer identity during Variety’s Hitmakers Brunch event. Or maybe she was outed by Variety; it’s unclear, and there is a debate around it. This public acknowledgment allegedly led to a significant drop in her Instagram followers, as she lost about 100,000 followers since coming out (see here).
Jorge Martin's Controversy
In Spain, motorcycle racer Jorge Martin has stirred controversy by using a gay slur during a live interview, sparking laughter from the audience. His remark, condemned by the State Federation of Lesbians, Gays, Trans, Bisexuals, Intersexes, and More (FELTGBI+), highlights Spain's ongoing struggle with machismo and LGBTQ+ acceptance.
Hulu's documentary "We Live Here: The Midwest."
Tonight, if you manage to escape the epidemic of gay holiday parties, you can watch this compelling look into LGBTQ+ families in the American heartland, challenging the co-opted notion of 'family values'’ Featuring stories like that of Ohio teacher Russell Exlos-Raber, the film showcases diverse queer families and their struggles amidst rising anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric. Stream it on Hulu:
✨ The Gay Agenda
December 11th: Institute for Human Rights and Business Event
A noteworthy event at the Ford Foundation with the Institute for Human Rights and Business will commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights next week, emphasizing the ongoing struggle for equality and justice. Register here.
January 14-19: a pink-washing pilmigrage to Davos
As Davos braces for its 2024 installment, it's worth reflecting on its history of LGBTQ+ representation. The forum's hesitancy in fully embracing LGBTQ+ rights, besides the mandatory annual “LGBTQ+ Rights and the Role of the Private Sector” panel and the occasional acknowledgment of a single LGBTQ+ American leader and some queer artists. This approach skirts the edges of deeper issues, given that many attending nations continue to persecute LGBTQ+ individuals. The so-called Partnership for Global LGBTI Equality (PGLE), the WEF LGBTQ+ initiative, shines by its inertia despite having siphoned scarce corporate funding. So, as the snow settles in Davos, the LGBTQ+ window dressing, subtly shimmering, may yet have to weather the storm of more profound, unresolved challenges.
Coming and going
Ineke Mushovic's Legacy
Ineke Mushovic is stepping down from the Movement Advancement Project. Her leadership and contributions have been pivotal in significant advancements like marriage equality and the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." As we honor her legacy, we also look forward to the new chapter under Naomi Goldberg.
LGBTQ+ Team Vacancies at OHCHR
The “OHCHR's LGBTI team” seeks new talent on precarious six months contracts: Human Rights Officer (6 months), Digital communication (Social Media). Join at your own risk!
✨ Special Features: my visit to France
Meeting the Who’s Who of France LGBTQ+
I had brunch with Jeremy Heimans and publisher Albin Serviant and dinner with Ambassador Jean-Marc Berthon, the Special Envoy on LGBTQ+ rights, on Monday. We also met with Franck Aubry, advisor in charge of the fight against discrimination and anti-LGBT+ hatred in the office of the Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister, responsible for equality between women and men and the fight against discrimination.
A very gay Government
In what is a revolution in France, several ministers under President Macron are out. Notably, Clément Beaune, Minister for European Affairs, came out as gay in an interview with TÊTU magazine, pledging to combat homophobia internationally. Gabriel Attal, Secretary of State to the Minister of National Education and Youth, publicly acknowledged his sexual orientation, initially revealed in 2018. Additionally, Sarah El Haïry, Secretary of State for Biodiversity, just announced her pregnancy and use of medically assisted reproduction. See her interview this week in Paris Match.
Our L’Oréal DEI board meeting
This week, I was with the luminaries of the DE&I Advisory Board of L'Oreal, which I joined three years ago. On Tuesday we explored fashion and fragrances, including a visit to Mugler Fashion and a meeting with Casey Cadwallader - the Creative Director. Today was a fascinating brainstorm about the future. Tomorrow, we visit the Fragrances Manufacture Plant and meet with Nicolas Hieronimus. As usual, sitting among this incredible global group has been an enlightening experience and a true honor.
That’s it for this week. Please share with your network if you find it useful.
Remember, dear readers, in a world where the bizarre often overshadows the bright, our journey toward equality is akin to a roller coaster - thrilling, unexpected, and sometimes downright dizzying. As we gear up for 2024, let's keep our wits about us, our sarcasm sharp, and our commitment to LGBTQ+ equality unwavering.
Until next time, stay fabulous, stay informed, and remember - in the grand theater of life, we're all both audience and performers. Curtain down for this week! 🎭🌈✨