Fabrice Houdart | A weekly newsletter on LGBTQ+ Equality
This week: Swatch attack, a grumpy Duma, Italian shenanigans, Rep. Meeks' misguided Board bill, our SIFMA issue, pettiness in Congress, an avalanche of queer movies, strange days in DC, & much more…
This week: Swatch attack, a grumpy Duma, Italian shenanigans, Rep. Meeks' misguided Board bill, our SIFMA issue, pettiness in Congress, an avalanche of queer movies, strange days in DC, & much more…
Welcome to my weekly equality news digest - celebrating its 1st anniversary this month - where I share important (and much less important) news, updates, and commentary about the LGBTQ+ equality movement at the intersection with business.
If you must, you can unsubscribe at the bottom of this email, right below my address.
Global News
Malaysia: the disruptive watches strike back
Swatch is walking in the footsteps of Disney’s stance in Florida in challenging another Government abusing the law to serve its anti-lgbtq+ political goals. Read about their lawsuit against the Malaysian Government here. Historically, authorities have stretched criminalization laws on same-sex acts to forbid all expression of gay identities. The way Swatch’s lawyers formulated the complaint is delicious:
"Without a doubt, the seized watches did not and are not in any way capable of causing any disruption to public order or morality or any violations of the law.»
Russia: trans lives as geopolitical pawns
Russia is increasingly turning into your older drunk grumpy neighbor with a chapka. On July 14th, the Duma adopted a law prohibiting gender transitions and banning the right of trans people to adopt children. This fantastic 2017 Vicks ad, “Touch of Care” is the best response to the antagonism of Russian lawmakers towards trans parents. Volodin, the assembly’s President, argued “This decision protects our citizens, our children.” Do you know what would protect Russian citizens? Not using them as canon fodder for a deranged autocrat with a Tsarian complex. Human Rights Watch called out the authorities in this press release:
“First Russia tried to erase lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender identities from public view, and now they are targeting transgender people themselves,”
Italy: a Meloni Minister Dabbles in casual homophobia
Czech midfielder Jakub Jankto said Saturday he had joined a Serie A Italian club five months after becoming the first international footballer to come out as gay. The Italian Minister of Sports, Andrea Abodi, subsequently demeaned Jankto’s courageous gesture with this silly remark: "[I don’t] like ostentation in general, but individual choices must be respected." Read about the controversy here. Of course, Abodi's comment ignores the extent of homophobia in soccer and the overall plight of gay men. Italy failed to qualify for a second straight World Cup, and its stadiums are temples of racism, so Abodi should have other chats à fouetter (your French expression of the week). He needs a little vision and a good haircut.
Italy: the Government’s attack on LGBTQ+ families
Meloni’s far-right-led government is now removing retroactively recognizing parental rights to biological parents only in families with same-sex parents. This is a cruel and purely antagonistic move as these children are already here and raised by these mums. More here.
France: scaling up its engagement to protect LGBTQ+ people
Good news from the homeland: Isabelle Rome, the Minister of Gender Equality, Diversity, and Equal Opportunities, has been championing a “national campaign Against Hatred and Anti-LGBT+ Discrimination 2023-2026”. Among many other actions, the plan focuses on training the police and gendarmerie forces, intending to reach 100% of the workforce by the end of 2024. Rome is also toughening the legislation in the event of homophobic remarks, particularly in stadiums. Read about it in Le Monde.
The Cycling Federation bans trans women from competing
The International Cycling Federation (UCI) announced this week that it is banning participation in international competitions by female transgender athletes. Caitlyn Jenner, of course, had to give her opinion. Read about it on PinkNews. FIFA might be next (see here).
En vrac…
Also, this week’s news includes a demonstration against The Gays in Malawi and the possibility of an anti-homosexuality bill in Kenya (here). In the UK, Rishi Sunak’s apologies to LGBTQ+ veterans for the viciousness of their treatment by the British army. On this last news, I am convinced reconciliation requires acknowledging past mistakes. My friend, Benoit Berthe Siward, was in Brussels this week to present the conversion therapy ban to the European Parliament (this link).
US News
Congress: the very very bad bills moving this week
The Republicans squeezed some mean anti-LGBTQ+ amendments in the defense spending bill to get media coverage. The amendments, adopted Thursday, would ban the military from paying for or reimbursing service members for abortion-related expenses, transgender surgeries, and hormone treatments. Read about it in the Washington Post. Similarly, the GOP struck three earmarked LGBTQ+ projects from a housing bill, including an extension of the William Way Community Center in Philadelphia(see here). Barreling their way toward secession.
Obama on the book ban
Obama’s letter on the book ban and TikTok video made the headlines this week (see here). Another sign is that we are in more considerable trouble than we think.
Congress strikes back with LGBTQ+ Education
On the bright side, LGBTQ+ Members of Congress Ritchie Torres and Becca Balint submitted the LGBTQ+ and Women’s History Education Act of 2023 to teach LGBTQ+ history in schools. See here.
Bad neighbor!
The Post had a story on a neighbor dispute featuring a gay couple that was supposed to illustrate the rift in America. Spoiler alert: it ends poorly…
Queering the Boardroom
With friends like Rep. Meeks…
Since our last update on a damaging bill titled “Improving Corporate Governance Through Diversity Act,” we have had conversations with Rep. Torres and Rep. Meeks's offices. Meeks’ staff justified the exclusion of LGBTQ+ people from the bill despite last year’s amendment with i) a need for continuity ("the language was like this for eight years"), ii) lack of business support ("the U.S. Chamber of Commerce threatened to withdraw support if such language was added"), and iii) the faint possibility of bipartisan support (55 republicans supported the bill previously, Meeks feels they wouldn't if LGBTQ+ Directors were included). The Association is determined to ensure the bill is amended and never presented again in its current form.
… and the specific related issue of SIFMA
SIFMA, the “voice of the U.S. securities industry,” threw us under the bus. In the middle of Pride month, their enthusiastic press release condoned the narrow definition of diversity championed by Meeks, excluding LGBTQ+ people despite the 2021 discussion. Their response to my objection was flippant and dismissive, showing a lack of understanding of the issue. Granted, it might also be a lack of capacity on diversity: I could not identify any of the SIFMA’s 40 people’s board of directors self-identifying as LGBTQ+, and it has only eight women on the Board or 20%, 8 points below the very low bar of the national average on Board gender diversity. Gay financiers unite and write to SIFMA here to remind them you are members.
Fortune piece on LGBTQ+ Board Diversity
Yesterday in Fortune, I discussed why Ralph Lauren, Cisco, and Alphabet are better businesses because they tapped into LGBTQ+ talent to fill Board openings. A non-binary and bisexual demographic revolution is facing businesses, and having Board Members with some connection and understanding of this community might be essential to long-term success. You can read the piece here.
Darren Walker resigns from Block
Darren Walker, President of the Ford Foundation and one of the most prominent LGBTQ+ Board members in America, just resigned from the Board of Block, where he has served since June 2020, to focus on other priorities. His remaining Board positions are at Ralph Lauren (since 2020) and at PepsiCo (since 2016).
Upcoming webinar: acing your Board material
Debra Wheatman has been helping some of our members refine their Board material. The Association of LGBTQ+ Directors is glad to welcome her for its monthly webinar. This month's session is titled: "How to develop your board narrative/materials to increase success."12 pm EST / 9 am PST on Friday, July 28th. Register here.
In August: the state of LGBTQ+ Board representation
Please join us for the next LGBTQ Directors Coffee Cohort on August 22 at 11:00-EST — Register here. We will explore the Association’s LGBTQ+ Board Monitor 2023 report findings, solutions to overcome these barriers, and success stories.
The Gay Business
Political issues and human rights issues are not the same
This piece in the NYTimes, “The Puny Power of ‘Woke Capitalism,’” lumped together things that are not similar: political and human rights issues. It is essential to differentiate between Target and Anheuser Busch Pride’s commercial endeavors around Pride and Disney’s stance on “Don’t say gay” or a corporate contingent in a Pride march is a human rights stance. You can read my arguments here.
Target: some Attorney Generals with too much time on their hands
Seven state attorneys general have sent a letter advising Target that their now infamous Pride collection could violate state laws that “protect children from harmful content meant to sexualize them and prohibit gender transitions of children.” The same AGs recently opposed a rule change that would keep states from being able to get hold of the medical records of their citizens who travel out of state for abortion care. Let’s all commit never to mention gun violence, overdoses, and climate change and instead focus on subversive t-shirts. Read more in the Washington Blade.
The semi-cultural desk
The baffling relationship of Americans to speedos
CNN had a fascinating article on “this controversial piece of swimwear.” I once was invited to a gated community on Candlewood Lake in Connecticut with my beautiful friend Lary (I am saying this to underline that the issue was not my fitness but the suits): we both wore speedos at the community’s beach. I am not exaggerating when I say that beachgoers almost stoned us. I extricated myself in-extremis. This country is so prudish it hurts. Yet, they came up with “The Idol” on HBO, so I am confused.
You missed the Troye Sivan “Rush” video
Talking about “The Idol,” here is Sivan’s “Rush” video, most commonly referred to as « Jocelynism.» It is essential viewing for your summer dinner conversation. The jury is still out on whether this song is any good. I think it isn’t, but my musical taste stopped evolving 13 years ago. (also you can visit Sivan’s Melbourne home here)
The Theater Camp movie
It’s a lot of Ben Platt for my taste, but it does look hilarious. I wish they had cast Parker Posey. I wish they’d cast Parker Posey in everything, including my biopic.
Red, White, and Royal Blue is coming up next.
I can’t wait to hate it deeply. The kids will be in camp, and whatever happens, I will be in front of my TV on August 11. Red, White & Royal Blue premieres ❤️🤍💙
Cyndi Lauper: “Let the Canary Sing”
I once ran into Cyndi Lauper when Willie Nelson received the 2015 Gershwin Prize for Popular Song; she was unpleasant. But I still admire her for taking a stance on causes when it was risky and unpopular. Check out this critique of a new documentary on her life, “Let the Canary Sing.”
The Homecoming: gay teenage lesbian in Corsica
After it was presented at Cannes, someone called it “a weary beachside pablum.” That’s mean. Still, here is the trailer.
And just like that: GLAAD’s consulting services in the spotlight
Despite GLAAD being on HBO’s payroll to “consult on scripts” including “And just like that”, as actor Sara Ramirez confirmed last year, nonbinary people are taking a severe beating in this series season. Che's hypersexualized and selfish character is not doing the community any favor. Read about the controversy here.
And as if Che was not enough of a liability …
Murdoch had to resurrect Sam Brinton’s story in its rags this week: apparently, some luggage theft happened on an official trip. I hope Sam signed up with CAA by now.
Florida State Representative accused of sexually harassing male staffers
I am confused by the whole thing. Florida State Representative Fabian Basabe, a “socialite and television personality,” told two male staffers he wanted to have anal sex with them and expressed he wanted to be a “bottom” and they could be “tops.”
I put these references in quotes because this substack dreams of being the classy French-homosexual version of“Airmail.” Basabe was arrested for drunk driving and accused of racist behavior before these accusations. I have had my share of vulgar bosses - at least one - but never that bad… close but not that bad.
Coming and going
The new YPO Chairman is an out gay man
Raymond Watt, the 72nd Chairman of the prestigious YPO (a global leadership community of over 34,000 chief executives in 150 countries), is out. Watt is the Chairman of Rimar.ai, a big data analytics company, and Co-founder and CEO of Omnislash, Inc., a data-aggregation platform changing the esports and gaming space. Read more here.
Your DC friends are going through a tough time
Give them a call. The tragic passing of Tarik Pierce and Jocko Fajardo shocked the local community. These two pillars of the community died within two weeks of each other at 45. Their unexpected deaths remain unexplained, leading to speculations (read more here). To this day, the apparent excess death in our community globally is one of the least studied topics - yet it would be such an argument for making sexual orientation and gender identity part of any curriculum. The community will celebrate these two gigantic figures at 8 p.m. in Logan Circle tomorrow.
Kalpana Kotagal on the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Kotagal’s appointment is excellent news. As evidenced by the reaction of Ted Cruz:
“I’m incredibly concerned […] The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission was created to combat racism and sexism in the workplace, but the woke Left is trying to use the EEOC to push its agenda on employers, and based on Kotagal’s record I think she will use her position to attack religious liberty and force her politics on Texas companies.”
Rufus Gifford leaves State Department, back to Biden’s coffers
Rufus, the out-gay son of Charles Gifford, chairman emeritus of Bank of America and once a reality TV star during his Obama appointment in Denmark, resigned as Chief of Protocol to join yet another presidential campaign: Biden’s reelection. See here.
I joined Columbia University’s faculty
Very honored to now be part of the SIPA family.
The gay agenda
This week: the Aspen Security Forum
Who are the gays in Aspen this week? The Forum is the kind of conference where LGBTQ+ people remain invisible like a straight girl at the Barbie Premiere. Steve Clemons, a power gay, is sending us letters from the mountain.
Next Monday: see you at Lavender Law in Chicago!
Give me a heads-up if you are in town! I am speaking on Board diversity at a panel at Lavender Law next week on Tuesday, July 25th. I will fly in that Monday and leave Wednesday: I still haven’t booked a room. I need a PA.
November 15-25: in Bangalore
I will be back in India from November 15 to 25—this time in Bangalore. Hopefully, by then, the SCOTUS will have handed over marriage equality.
As usual, thank you for reading. This newsletter is one of my favorite occupations, along with reading coffee table books about Ralph Lauren and sharing my biased take on life with my unfortunate sons (we are on our way to Milford today). I look forward to seeing you next week.