OutPerform | A weekly newsletter on LGBTQ+ Equality - Issue #35
This week: North Carolina Lt. Governor tells us what he thinks, #GivingTuesday: where to give, the gay cousin holidays experience, the finish line on workplace inclusion efforts, Qatar 2022 & more...
Welcome to this week's edition of the weekly equality news digest (a bit brief because my beloved son Eitan just scratched the car with his bike ), where I share important news, updates, and commentary about the LGBTQ+ equality movement globally. Questions, feedback, and comments are always welcome. Would you mind sharing with your networks to continue helping us in moving the LGBTQ+ equality conversation forward?
US News
North Carolina: do tell us what you really think Lt. Governor! Mark Robinson, lieutenant governor of North Carolina, said straight people are "superior" to gay people as he gave a sermon at a church, of all places. While the remarks remain offensive, it is cathartic to hear out loud what they often discreetly think (you can even watch the odd sermon here).
RNC Chair and the weird republican antagonism against LGBTQ+ people. There is no out republican in Congress - not a single one. It is at odds with other countries where conservatives have sometimes embraced LGBTQ+ equality seeing the writing on the wall. The controversy this week about the RNC Chair potentially embracing LGBTQ+ voters is a sign that afterall Republicans might indeed be “la droite la plus cone au monde”.
Gaingels: the gay investors syndicate is doing well. This article mentions that Gaingels has participated in more than 250 deals this year. It is investing in companies that embrace LGBTQ+ leadership. The rise of LGBTQ+ impact investing is a reminder that diversity efforts not only cater to employees and consumers but also investors.
Rainbow Railroad urges US to do right by the Afghan LGBTQ+ refugees. Executive Director Kimahli Powell urged the US to evacuate LGBTQ+ afghans in immediate danger in an opinion piece yesterday.
Giving Tuesday: where to give? This Tuesday, you will wake-up having hoarded the fruits of a booming economy, wondering how to share the wealth. I am here to help. Give to: Outright Action International to support embattled LGBTQ+ communities globally, the David Mixner ICWA fellowship because David turned 75, Housing Works because the opioid and homelessness epidemics are out of control in NYC, TransNewYork as this is the next frontier in the tristate area workplace and of course Witness to Mass Incarceration as it is THE forgotten LGBTQ+ issue in the US.
Global News
Chile: about to approve same-sex marriage, adoption. Yesterday, the Chilean House of Representatives approved a bill that would extend marriage rights to same-sex couples. The bill now goes back to the Senate for a final vote. There are currently 29 countries where same-sex marriage is legal. The Presidential election 1st round’s results were a bit of a downer though….
Next Wednesday is World Aids Day. About 38 million people globally are living with HIV in 2021 and our empathy is at an all-time low for several reasons. So get your red ribbon pin out of your jewelry box, join the Williams Institute decriminalization webinar, and show we have not moved on. Also read Peter Staley’s memoir to keep the story alive.
Qatar: not even trying to Pinkwash the WorldCup. The biggest football tournament on the planet is due to begin on 21 November 2022 in the Gulf state of Qatar and the Qataris and FIFA organizers do not show sign of trying to appease the human rights controversy (well really controversies). In the meantime, Lewis Hamilton wore a rainbow helmet at the Qatar Grand Prix to remind them we are paying close attention.
In Other News
When is the LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion agenda officially over? In a weird move during an American holiday focused on gratitude, I highlighted gaps in LGBTQ+ inclusion among the most progressive multinationals in corporate America, Western Europe and Latin America. Read my Medium article published today.
Victory Fund first Gala next week. I will join the Victory Fund Gala hosted by my friend Marti Gould Allen-Cummings on Saturday December 4th in Washington, DC I hope to see many of you there.
Monica Boll’s memorial fund reaches $69K. Thanks to your generosity, the Monica Lisette Boll Memorial Fund, set up by her partner Ellen Marks, raised over $69K for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to date.
NPR’s moving tribute to Jack Dowling featuring some my favorite gays: Ari Shapiro (NPR) and Michael Adams (SAGE).
Congratulations to our friend Ryan Kaminski, advocate extraordinaire, formerly Free & Equal lead at the UN Foundation and now LGBTQI+ Advisor at USAID who receives the UNA-NCA Emerging Human Rights Leader Award.
From the cultural desk
Titane: a weird movie with an LGBTQ+ theme. I finally watched the 2021 Cannes Palme d'Or winner, Titane, which has been described as a “binary-breaking work of queer horror”. Not my cup of tea but try for yourself here.
This Norwegian Christmas ad that you are expected to watch although I am sure it was on your Facebook feed.
Queerness in vintage advertising. Before gay Santas were even an option, I used to give everybody yummy Cannon Towels ads I would cut from old Life Magazine issues. Well this week we talk about Leyendecker’s coded queerness in old ads.
Netflix: on Colton Underwood coming out. The controversial unscripted six-episode series, titled "Coming Out Colton," will launch on the streaming service on December 3.
Also Netflix: Terra Field at the center of the Chappelle controversy resigns. If you want to hire her, here is her Linkedin.
Lil Nas X and his 3 Grammy nominations.
Holidays: some thoughts for the gay cousin. Buzzfeed celebrated “the time when we as gay people trek back to our hometowns to play our most important role at Thanksgiving dinner: the Gay Cousin”.
Ok I am off to tell Eitan I scratched the car way more times than he did. Much love and see you next week.