OutPerform | A weekly newsletter on LGBTQ+ Equality - Issue #37
This week: gossip from the Victory Institute dinner, prostate cancer and gay men, a first Global LGBT+ Conference business roundtable, good news from Tokyo, aging LGBTQ+, & a key appointment at USAID
Welcome to this week's edition of the weekly equality news digest, where I share important news, updates, and commentary about the LGBTQ+ equality movement globally. Apologies for the late distribution; I blame my covid booster/flu combo shots, which derailed my week.
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
Non-profit Rockstar: Trevor Project's Amit Paley in the spotlight.
This week Amit was named NonProfit PRO's 2021 Nonprofit Professional of the Year (read his profile here). He also published a piece on FastCompany describing how he scaled up the Project's impact through rebranding (So you're thinking about a rebrand? Here's where to begin).
On the topic of youth suicide: wakeup call in Tennessee.
A 12-year-old boy took his own life after enduring apparent months of what his family and others labeled ugly, vitriolic anti-LGBTQ+ bullying. This is also a reminder that anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric from politicians ultimately translates into bullying during recess; it is never inconsequential.
Prostate cancer and the specific post-surgery need of gay men.
The medical profession has not always been the most LGBTQ+-friendly. Anecdotally, my friends that undertook prostate cancer treatment often pointed out that doctors were insensitive to their situation (a doctor suggested, "you should bring your wife at our next session" and moved on from the offer when he was corrected). This might be changing: read this NYTimes article "In Chicago, a New Approach to Gay and Bisexual Men With Prostate Cancer." About 1 man in 8 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime.
Global News
Canada: conversion therapy officially banned.
Conversion therapy was banned across Canada after the Senate agreed to the expedited passage of Bill C-4 on Tuesday evening. Listen to our friend Minister Randy Boissonnault celebrating the passing.
A landmark day for LGBTQ+ equality in South America!
Today Chile became the 31st country and 6th in South America to legalize same-sex marriage. Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Uruguay had previously made same-sex marriage legal. What is truly seismic about today's news is that this legislation was passed by overwhelming majorities in both chambers of government. After all, a law outlawing sodomy was only repealed in 1999 while divorce became legal in 2004. Congratulations to the many Chilean LGBTQ+ activists and allies who made today possible! Read more in the New York Times.
Poland: anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric has concrete consequences on the community's well-being.
Reuters reports that depression is rising among LGBTQ+ people in the country.
Hungary: the EU has had it with state-sponsored homophobia.
ILGA Europe reported this week that the European Commission is taking the second step in its infringement procedure against Hungary due to discriminatory amendments adopted on 23 June in the country, which ban the "portrayal and the promotion of gender identity different from sex at birth, the change of sex and homosexuality."
Japan: Tokyo moves ahead with civil union system.
The country remains the only G-7 country with no form of country-wide civil partnership or same-sex marriage option. The Tokyo Governor announced it would recognize same-sex partnership (something that has been present in Shibuya for a long time). A step in the right direction?
Mauritius: presenting next week with the Young Queer Alliance (YCA).
I will deliver a presentation on "The Role of the Private Sector for LGBTQ inclusion" on Wednesday 15 December as part of the EU-SIL Project Conference from 09 30 to 15 00 at The Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel in Mauritius. The role of tourism in the Mauritius economy makes improving the LGBTQ+ climate in the country urgent.
UK: Commonwealth Games and Tom Daley.
This week, Katie Sadleir, the chief executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), told British media outlets that she would meet with British Olympic Gold medalist Tom Daley after he asserted his opposition to anti-LGBTQ+ countries participating in global athletic completions. A timely conversation as all eyes are on Qatar and Beijing. (see The Guardian). In the meantime, Gigi Chao dismissed the call for the Hong Kong Gay Games boycott (read this Blade article).
The UK also: Michael Lavers interviews Boris Johnson's envoy.
In the Washington Blade this week, Lavers interviewed Lord Nick Herbert, the UK Prime Minister's Special Envoy on LGBTQ+ Rights, who attended the Victory Institute conference and made the rounds in DC on the evacuation of LGBTQ Afghans from Afghanistan, colonial-era criminalization laws in former British colonies and the growing backlash against transgender rights in the UK are among other topics (read the interview here).
The UK still: meeting at 10 Downing Street on #SafeToBeMe.
I was virtually in the State Dining Room with Lord Herbert, also Chair of the UK Government's forthcoming International LGBTQ+ Conference "Safe to Be Me" (29 June 2022 to 1 July 2022), and Iain Anderson, the UK Government's new LGBT Business Champion for a first Global LGBT+ Conference business roundtable. The private sector pillar is an opportunity to celebrate the corporate engagement for LGBTQ+ equality and make further commitments when the gaps between the most and least inclusive areas of the globe, companies, and communities have become unsustainable.
LGBTQ+ Finance
The "LGBTQ+ Linkedin," myGwork, raises another £1.6m.
Our friends at myGwork, gay twins Adrien and Pierre Gaubert, who created the LGBTQ+ networking platform myGwork, just raised significant funds (see SkyNews article) to expand their operation. The latest investment is from leading investor club 24Haymarket, which counts prominent City figures among its members. Creating a business is the easy part; scaling it up is hard, and our friends are achieving it. Add me as a friend on the platform.
LGBTQ loyalty continues with the announcements.
LGBTQ Loyalty, Bobby Blair's ETF, which tracks LGBTQ+ brand preferences, announced a new prestigious and influential addition to its board of directors this week: Deborah Fuhr. If you want to learn more about LGBTQ+ impact investing, join this session at the Alternative Investing Summit this evening.
LGBTQ+ Board Diversity
In the Entrepreneur this week: Board Diversity: Why It's More Important Than Ever
BoardIQ Pride Hall of Fame.
Last week, BoardIQ launched its Pride Hall of Fame (careful: the video at the top of the page gave me a headache). Congratulations to LGBTQ+ board candidates such as Rachel Kyte, Amit Paley, Amanda Simpson, and Louis Vega for making the list.
From the Cultural Desk
LGBTQ+ aging: My interview with author Bradley Schurman.
As ageism was on full display during the COVID pandemic, Bradley Schurman's new book "The Super Age" is a much-needed counterpoint to the dominant and harmful narrative. We also discussed the specific financial and health challenges of LGBTQ+ people as they age. "The Super Age" is an invaluable resource for any business interested in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Watch the interview here.
Portrayal of lesbian love on screen is changing for the better.
In this New York Times article, Sarah Kate Ellis, the chief executive officer of GLAAD, is quoted as saying, "Lesbian storytelling has historically been told through the eyes of men and their experience of that, of their own desire."
And in the Advocate: Lil Nas X and His Exquisite Black Gay Agenda of 2021.
Comings, goings, and opportunities
Allyn Shaw moves to Wells Fargo.
Allyn, a key out LGBTQ+ senior executive formerly at, started a new position as EVP, Enterprise Functions Technology at Wells Fargo.
USAID's very discreet LGBTQ+ political appointment.
Jay Gilliam, a longtime development expert, was named Senior LGBTQI+ coordinator at USAID without even a press release (although USAID published an interview on Medium). Once occupied by Todd Larson, the job is transformative as USAID is one of the largest funders of LGBTQ+ civil society.
Senior Programmes Officer at ILGA-Europe.
ILGA-Europe is looking for a Senior Programmes Officer who is excited about strengthening the capacity of LGBTI activists to use communications to make change for their communities.
Advocacy Consultant for SHE SOARS! Project.
The YCSRR is seeking services for an Advocacy Officer consultant on the SHE SOARS! Project, to be based in one of the three implementing countries of Kenya, Uganda, or Zambia, for an initial duration of twelve months, with a possibility of renewal.
Communications & Development @ ORAM.
The Organization for Refuge, Asylum, and Migration (ORAM), led by my friend Steve Roth, is looking for a motivated Communications and Development Coordinator (remote but preference for LA-based candidates).
In other news
I took a speedy trip to DC (while apartment hunting within my limited means in the UWS) to the Victory Institute's gala. The gays (it was overwhelmingly male besides our courageous friends at Out & Equal: Erin, Deena, and CV) had clear difficulties concentrating, including during Mondaire Jones' speech despite the wondrous Marti Cumming running a tight ship. Barney Frank might have been the only one they listened to, and he was hilarious (although they also dimmed the light during his speech which is always a good idea). Aron Winston-Lefevre (who spoke on stage) and I wore the same suit - a Supply Midnight Tuxedo that pretty much every other single guest was wearing.
I saw the entire who's who of LGBTQ+ politicos, including Steve Elmendorf, DC lobbyist and key democrat donor, and Alex Slater, of The Clyde Group, who had filled three tables of their closest buddies. The "DC Dorian Gray," Stuart Spencer of Spencer Strategies. To-be-confirmed Amb. Chantale Wong charmed the room. Philanthropist Terrence Meck whom I thanked for his generous contribution to the David Mixner Fellowship. Matt Kaczmarek of Blackrock and his boyfriend and former fellow World Banker Aaron Ordower (Senior Policy Deputy at the City of Los Angeles) who had jetted from California. Michael Lavers (journalist at the Blade). Brian Sims (future Lt. Governor of PA) urged everybody to "give until it hurts" from the stage). Brian Derrick, to whom I expressed my fandom (his Instagram is a must-read for anybody confused by American politics and who isn't). Fellow gay father DeVere Kutschers and his husband. I was seated next to Andrew Smith and Todd Metcalf (PWC) and had the best time, although the dessert was anything but a French pastry.
Congratulations on this success to Annise Parker, who was seen giddily dancing at the end of the dinner, and my friend Seth Schermer. I had booked a room at once hip The Line, which my friend said is feeling more and more like a Starbucks – I blame the pandemic.
Much love, see you next week. Please feel free to email me with any comments, suggestions, or news items I may have missed. I look forward to hearing from you.