OutPerform | A weekly newsletter on LGBTQ+ Equality - Issue #40
This week: 3 more US Senate confirmations, the passing of Archbishop Tutu, Qatar’s schizophrenic behavior, the ultimate guide to end-of-year giving, Moscow’s hand, Ryan Philippe & more...
Welcome to this week's (short) edition of my weekly equality news digest, where I share important news, updates, and commentary about the LGBTQ+ equality movement globally. From New Fairfield, in furious and desperate “packing mode” (moves, not unlike death, ought to be faced alone).
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
Three more out LGBTQ+ Ambassadors confirmed by the Senate.
Besides Ambassadors Rufus Gifford and Christopher Lamora, three more openly LGBTQ+ Ambassadors were confirmed last week. Marc Ostfield was confirmed for Paraguay. A former GMHC advisor, Marc is also, I am told, a life member of the Fire Island Pines Fire Department. This could be useful in Asuncion. And of course, Amb. Scott Miller (also Tim Gill’s husband, you can cumulate both mandates) for Switzerland and Lichtenstein (great swearing-in picture although the dog looks deeply bored unaware he is soon to be running in green Alpine hills). Finally, Amb. Erik Ramanathan for Sweden. Gone are the days of my youth when finding an out Ambassador at the GLIFAA holiday party at The Chastleton meant you were in luck.
Global News
Our debt of gratitude to Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
This week, a 2013 picture of the Archbishop with my former boss, Charles Radcliffe, at the United Nations unveiling Free & Equal re-emerged reminding me how much courage, empathy and determination Tutu placed at the service of our community (along with many other causes including the environment and Palestinian people). Desmond Tutu once said: "If you're neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor". He was never neutral in standing up for our rights. Farewell dear friend, our community remembers you! (see this NYTimes piece on how Tutu remained our champion in retirement from public life).
Tutu’s passing was also an opportunity for Michael Eric Dyson in the NYTimes to reflect on how his values would have intersected with today’s “Cancel Culture”. “Read: Where Is the Forgiveness and Grace in Cancel Culture?”
My crystal ball: 10 geopolitical LGBTQ+ development to look for in 2022.
Watch out for the elections in Hungary, Brazil and France next year. More of the same in Africa, a controversy around Qatar2022 and a key battlefield in China. These are some of my predictions after consulting my crystal ball about what global developments will impact LGBTQ+ equality in 2022.
Qatar: let the WorldCup schizophrenia begin.
And it already started... As observers, we get to watch Qatar trying to balance describing itself as a vibrant democracy while clamping down on social progress. A hard dance to execute under the chaperoning of a complicit FIFA. Last week, the DailyMail reported that the authorities seized a line of what they called 'un-Islamic' children's toys that feature rainbow patterns.
Eastern Europe: a “Berlin Wall of acceptance”.
Read this article by Radio Free Europe taking stock of the rise of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric in Eastern Europe quoting ILGA’s Evelyne Paradis. She decries the role of Moscow’s hand in the 2021 backsliding: "We should realize that security experts already see this type of behavior as part of a hybrid war that Russia is waging on the EU…”
From the (semi) cultural desk
Being Martina Navratilova.
This June 6 interview “Martina Navratilova has plenty to say” (June 6) made it as the top NYTimes engagement piece for 2021. So, if you have not read it…
Aging as a Gay Man: not for the faint of heart?
In USA Today, Michael Stern writes “At 60 years old, I became invisible. Getting old as a gay man stinks” encouraging gay men to “age gracefully”. I respond: “try living in rural Connecticut”.
“And just like that”: gets its own non-binary characters.
HBO knows its audience and having Charlotte tickled by her thoughtful and assertive non-binary daughter, along with Sara Ramirez’ character, is a nice alternative to what I feel are the same flimsy, petulant and outrageous LGBTQ+ characters the show previously offered.
Looking back at 2021 gay characters.
Read this list of our biggest achievements on the small and large screens (mostly small due to Covid really): Udo Kier in “Swan Song” and Murray Bartlett in “White Lotus” were the ones I most identified with for different reasons and who I truly loved. “Morning show” is what I plan to start tonight if I progress enough on the packing front.
Hold your horses. Ryan Philippe is NOT gay!
However, “Cruel Intentions” did probably make you a gay man.
Coming, going places and opportunities
A farewell to our friend Kimberly at InterACT.
Kimberly sent her last message as InterACT Executive Director this week after 8+ years at the helm of the intersex organization. We thank her and wish her well in her future endeavors.
TransNewYork’s Workforce Readiness Program.
On January 20th, TransNewYork is launching its 6-week workforce training for trans, gender non-conforming and non-binary people. If you are interested, send an email to Gen: gherley@transnewyork.org
In other news
Phyll Opoku-Gyimah on how to be an efficient white ally in 2022.
The Executive Director of Kaleidoscope Trust and CoFounder of UK Black Pride, wrote a set of tips for the aspiring white ally, starting with listening.
Philanthropy
The ultimate guide to LGBTQ+ end-of-year giving
As you hopefully finish basking in the materialistic glory of Christmas Day – which my beloved grandfather Jacques Gadala used to call “le grand troc de Noel” (the Xmas great barter) and the guilt of your accumulated wealth creeps in, I wanted to suggest seven non-profits to give to in order to offset your social footprint. Seven organizations to give to before New Year’s Day because they truly are changing the World towards what I know YOU want to see.
Do not hesitate to share this newsletter with your network 😊
I wish you a good end-of-year celebration (I am heading to DC for that is where many of my besties reside) and can’t wait to see you in 2022. If you woke up today: you comparatively did well this year, don’t let anybody tell you otherwise.