OutPerform | A weekly newsletter on LGBTQ+ Equality - Issue #43
This week: NY Gov. Hochul appeals to the community, Marlon Bundo dies, key LGBTQ+ appointments at the FAA and American LGBTQ+ Museum, blood shortages, a book battle in Virginia, and more...
Welcome to this edition of my weekly equality news digest, where I share important (and less important, let's be honest!) news, updates, and commentary about the LGBTQ+ equality movement globally.
This week is a little on the light side as I injured my cornea (well, my son scratched it accidentally), and I had to enlist the help of a stenographer.
Questions, feedback, and comments are always welcome. Would you mind sharing with your network to continue helping us move the LGBTQ+ equality conversation forward?
US News
New York: Governor Hochul shows up for the community.
As her campaign fundraising achievements make the news, Governor Hochul has made several announcements regarding her engagement on LGBTQ+ issues in the past few weeks. Read the press release on her "equity agenda." In her state of the State speech, she reiterates her plan to advance New York's place as "a national equity model." Her 2023 executive budget will invest $7 million (in addition to the existing $4.967 million funding) to support the LGBTQ+ community.
A very gay US 2022 Business Roundtable.
Of the 25 CEOs on the United States 2022 Business Roundtable Board: three are out CEOs (Jim Fitterling, Beth Ford, and Tim Cook), or 12%. That's progress, a milestone, and a testament to the contribution LGBTQ+ people can make when given the opportunity to participate and succeed.
Virginia: the battle over a book.
The decision by Loudoun County Superintendent to remove "Gender Queer" from the county school's libraries over its sexual content overlooks the difficulties for young LGBTQ+ people to find suitable representation of their attraction and/or gender identity. If my library had had this kind of book, my teenage years would have been much different ands eventful.
Nationwide blood shortage, a reminder of outdated discrimination.
While blood donations are open to gay men in France from March without preconditions (see LGBTQ Nation), the US still has not addressed discriminatory Food and Drug Administration’s rules. As the nation faces a shortage, the Biden administration commented on the FDA's long-time blood donation guidelines, which are impacting the LGBTQ+ community by preventing gay and bisexual men from being eligible blood donors (Read ABC's take)
Global News
ADB Safeguards Review - gender equality / LGBTQ+ persons.
Last week, representatives from many LGBTQ+ civil society groups (and Out Leadership) met with the Department of Treasury to reiterate the importance of a safeguard to address the development needs of LGBTQ+ people and women in the ADB's work (see my LinkedIn post). The Senate confirmation of Chantale Wong as US Executive Director is still pending for no reason: an aberration given the weight the US could have in this process if adequately represented on ADB’s board.
Belize: Caleb Orozco responds to Hon. Henry Charles.
Last week I reported on the inaccurate comments of Minister Henry Charles Usher (Public Service and Religious Affairs) about the supremacy of God being at the center of Belize's Constitution. Listen here to the response by activist extraordinaire Caleb Orozco and his fear of the "slippery slope."
United Nations: a voting review to gauge LGBTQ+ support.
Our friend Yoni at HRLO published a brief analysis of voting on SOGI in the United Nations Third Committee and Human Rights Council (linked here). If I read his analysis correctly (with one eye), we observe less polarization of positions and the trend is positive (more countries vote for LGBTQ+ protections overtime).
CCPR Review: Bolivia, Cambodia, Iraq, Israel, Qatar, Russia.
The UN Human Rights Committee oversees the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), looking at a variety of feedback. In February-March, Bolivia, Cambodia, Iraq, Israel, Qatar, and Russia are up for review, and ILGA world has launched a call for alternative reports from the LGBTQ+ civil society. The deadline is the end of the month.
From the (semi) cultural desk
Thank you for being a friend.
First, Google had a cute doodle for Betty's 100th birthday yesterday. Listen to this WBUR's piece; "Betty White and 'The Golden Girls' groundbreaking impact on the LGBTQ community: when Colorado Public Radio reporter Vic Vela found out he was HIV+ in the 1990s, he found comfort in an episode of "The Golden Girls" that helped him deal with his diagnosis."
This adorable reaction from Simon Crowther's grandparents.
LGBTQ Nation reports on the adorable reaction from these grandparents who discovered in the paper that equally adorable Simon, their grandkid, was gay. Simon Crowther founded Flood Protection Solutions in 2012, which is the UK leading company within flood mitigation.
Ari Shapiro interviews trans jeopardy winner Amy Schneider.
This is a good reminder for everybody: "And, like, as anyone should on the internet, I stay out of the comment sections, and that's good for my mental health." – read the transcript here.
Coming, going places, and opportunities
Marc Nichols appointed General Counsel at the FAA.
Marc Nichols was named General Counsel for the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA), a prestigious position which also means he ranks 3rd in the agency. Previously Nichols was general counsel for Sweden-based defense technology company Saab and worked as senior attorney for Rolls-Royce's defense and aerospace sector. Read the news of his appointment here.
The LGBTQ+ museum has an executive director: Ben Garcia.
The museum announced Tuesday that Ben Garcia, formerly the deputy executive director and chief learning officer of Ohio History Connection, would inaugurate the role in mid-February. (Read the NYTimes announcement)
Openings at Outright and Rainbow Railroad.
The UN Program Director is a fascinating job opportunity as I had the opportunity to witness when I was at OHCHR. Outright has observer status at the UN and manages the LGBTI core group, a group of like-minded countries advancing LGBTQ+ equality. See the posting here.
Here is also a link to the profile for Rainbow Railroad, Head of Impact. Rainbow railroad does crucial work for LGBTQ+ people in immediate danger.
Remember Marlon Bundo? He died.
The very gay bunny of Mike Pence passed away this week. The cause of death is not listed, but I suspect the autopsy will figure out it was either boredom or shame…
Peach PCR comes out.
Do you know who Peach PCR is? (I was certain PCR was something Covid-related). Me neither – you need more young people in your life. Yet, Peach came out this week, and it is a BIG DEAL. Peach PRC found fame on TikTok (like Friendster but for cool kids) in 2020 and has since accumulated 1.8 million followers and more than 100 million likes. If I post on Instagram, I get an average of 60 likes to give you perspective.
The Gay Agenda
January 26th: listen to Karamo at Salesforce.
Karamo Brown, who, by the way, just launched a T-shirt collection benefiting True Colors United (and not Outright despite having been on its Board, go figure), will be speaking at Salesforce at 1 p.m. EST on January 26th. The event is titled "Stories of Resilience: A Conversation on Culture and Connection." You can register here.
While we are on the Queer Eye topic, Antoni and the Lego lawsuit is a must read: Fashion Designer sues Lego.
Erratum:
Last week, I mistakenly called Tully High School a Catholic school. It isn't which makes the whole story even more baffling;
A reader pointed out I have been using the word "schizophrenic" lightly ("schizophrenic US Catholic High Schools" and "Qatar: let the World Cup schizophrenia begin."). My apologies and point well taken.
Now I am off to stay in a very dark room. Do not hesitate to share this newsletter with your network. See you next week at the same time!