OutPerform | A weekly newsletter on LGBTQ+ Equality - Issue #39
This week: Senate confirmations, injectable Prep, Australia’s religious discrimination bill, Chile's election result, UNSOGIE call for input, opeds by Evan Wolfson & Sarah Kate Ellis, jobs and more...
Welcome to this week's edition of my weekly equality news digest, where I share important news, updates, and commentary about the LGBTQ+ equality movement globally. This time from New York City as I somewhat triumphed over real estate hell (read the details of my apartment search adventures here).
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
Ambassador Rufus Gifford confirmed by the Senate.
Gifford is one of the few gay men everybody agrees to like - besides Rick Grenell who seems to dislike him (by the way Rick joined Newsmax this week as he should). The Scandinavians too are strangely obsessed after Gifford served as Obama’s ambassador in Denmark. The NYPost referred to him earlier this year as a “former Danish reality star” which was uncalled for but hilarious. Rufus Gifford’s confirmation as US Chief of Protocol last weekend was widely celebrated by the community.
And the out Ambassador to Cameroon too.
Another important LGBTQ+ confirmation was that of Amb. Christopher Lamora, an out gay man, as ambassador to Cameroon despite the hostile legal context. Twenty years ago, the World Bank named an out gay man Robert Calderisi to be Country Rep in Chad: the Chadians dealt with it.
Chantale Wong’s confirmation postponed.
Another confirmation, that of Chantale Wong for U.S. director of the Asian Development Bank, was not part of this batch. Wong would not only be the first lesbian with rank of Ambassador but would play a strategic role when LGBTQ+ rights are on the back foot in the region from China to Singapore. The Senator who allegedly got in the way was instantly erased from Gay Santa’s list (along with Senator Munchin from what I read on my feed) – he won’t get coal in his socks, a gift he would have actually enjoyed, but instead the equivalent in renewable energy. (Read The Hill on why having eternally vacant US seats in the multilateral system is disastrous)
Evan Wolfson on his time interning for Joe Biden.
Wolfson, the architect for marriage equality who now advises LGBTQ+ civil society globally, penned an article reminiscing about his time interning for Joe Biden in…1976. What comes out is that Biden always was a good guy, Wolfson always was brilliant, but it is also a stark reminder that statesman and civil society leaders do not have to be manipulative, egomaniac or myopic. Wolfson’s souvenirs and the way his time on the Hill affected his future calls on all of us to “to pursue a committed life in a meaningful way, and to be charitable toward others”. It is not a generational thing; it is about how we define leadership.
Lunching with David Mixner.
Tomorrow, if I self-test omicron-negative, I will be in the city (I sound so provincial) to grab lunch and continue a conversation with Mixner interrupted by some pandemic1,5 years ago. Among the many things Mixner can be credited for is the way he continues to be the connector in our community. That is why the Institute for Current World Affairs (ICWA), on the Board of which I serve, created the David Mixner writing fellowship, please contribute directly on this link as we approach the end of the fiscal year and you need to offset your crazy capital gains – we will take stock donations too :)
The LGBTQ+ risk to an international “sex offender registry”.
The US Congress is considering a law to restrict travel of sex-offenders from and to countries in their visa-waiver program. It makes sense. However, the bill, H.R. 5150 (introduced in House on September 3rd, 2021) might sound like a good idea but could end up punishing foreign LGBTQ+ people defined as sex-offenders just because of their sexual orientation in their home country. A couple of provisions (in sec 201) buried in this bill would create through reciprocity a global database of sex offenders: "…the Center shall obtain from each country participating in the visa waiver program a list of covered sex offenders who are citizens or nationals of such countries." The Bill is sponsored by Rep. C Smith H. [R-NJ-4] and we are asking clarifications.
The Mormon Church loses billionaire member over social issues. See a more in depth article in the Post on efforts to get the church to evolve on the issue.
And read Jessica Stern’s profile in USA TODAY, fresh from the press: “US envoy advances LGBTQ rights in a world of 'mind-boggling' violence, discrimination”
Global News
Australia: the wolf in sheep's clothing.
Opposing LGBTQ+ people to religion is usually a political trick in the handbook of Bolsonaro (watch out for the Brazilian presidential campaign) Orban or General Sissi - well Morrison seems to be joining the bandwagon. LGBTQ+ people are people of faith too and support freedom of religion but Morrison’s “religious freedom” bill – which affects negatively all people, not just LGBTQ+ - seems only motivated by animus, adds an unnecessary burden to a straightforward legal framework and will create impossible conundrums for companies. It will also free hate speech in the workplace. My fear is that if it passes or if we fail as a community to articulate why the bill is a legal nightmare in the making, copycats might emerge in other parts of the world. Out Leadership will organize a briefing in early January with Equality Australia who is leading the charge.
Senegal: parliamentarians prepare (yet another) abhorrent anti-LGBTQ+ bill.
While the bill, which would pile on existing criminalization, has little chance to ever pass (the adults in the room know better) and is just another attempt by obscure lawmakers to get a platform, it is a reminder that francophone Africa lags anglophone countries in the region on LGBTQ+ acceptance (see my recent piece). More resources should be channel to the nascent West African movement.
HIV: you will soon be able to get Prep with a single injection every two months.
The FDA just approved Apretude, an injectable given every two months as an alternative to HIV prevention pills, like Truvada. Just in time for my return to NYC (read about it on the FDA’s website, the drug, not my return). Not mentioned in the press release, it is a GlaxoSmithKline’s product, not a Gilead one.
World Economic Forum: Davos gets cancelled (again) due to Covid.
See the NYTimes take on it. The annual gathering of (mostly) powerful white straight men had been due to take place in late January in the Swiss ski resort (I am more of a Verbier person myself). Amit Paley, the CEO and Executive Director of The Trevor Project, was due to attend this year as one of the Young Global Leaders – which could have been transformative. God knows the place badly needs queering (although I do remember my friend Krish Omkar wearing the most gorgeous après-ski there. If only I could find that picture hidden somewhere on Facebook).
UN: Independent Expert’s next report will be on physical and mental health.
A crucial topic: in Lee Badgett’s book “The Economic Case for LGBT Equality”, I mention how anecdotally over the years my Facebook has become a virtual graveyard: friends lost to addiction, suicide, AIDS and other causes of premature death. The UN IESOGI expert, Victor Madrigal-Borloz has launched a call for inputs for a report on the right of LGBTI and gender non-conforming persons to the enjoyment of physical and mental health, in relation to the Sustainable Development Goal # 3. The deadline for sending inputs to ILGA World is January 15.
UK: Tom Daley is naming names.
After mentioning a few weeks back that he does not believe countries criminalizing same—sex acts should be able to host international athletic events, the olympian diver questioned awarding of football World Cup to Qatar and F1 grand prix to Saudi Arabia in his Christmas broadcast. (Read about it in The Guardian). If only FIFA cared.
Chile avoids the local Trump while France has to deal with crude comments by Eric Zemmour (can we endure four more months of this until the Presidential election? to be seen)
Board diversity
Read my year in review on LGBTQ+ representation in the Boardroom.
While demand for LGBTQ+ candidates stagnated, other indicators turned full green: a good sign for 2022. Read my summary on what changed for LGBTQ+ Board representation in the Boardroom here and why 2022 might be the year you get that first coveted board seat.
Do you hear the people sing in the Banks?
This week Bloomberg also published this piece quoting my boss, Todd Sears: Investors Press for More LGBTQ Members on Bank Boards. Todd and Out Leadership advisor, Matt Fust knew LGBTQ+ Board representation mattered at a time when nobody wanted to talk about it. #vindicated
From the (semi) cultural desk
People are unhappy with Aaron Sorkins’ comment on gay actors in gay roles.
I don’t know who Sorkins is or really understand the issue but please can read about it here and then explain it to me.
I watched the “French Dispatch”.
I enjoyed it. Watch it so that you have something to say at the Xmas dinner table which is not related to Omicron. I liked the gay journalist character, played by Jeffrey Wright, based on an amalgamation of James Baldwin and A. J. Liebling. (Read NPR’s dithyrambic critic: 'The French Dispatch' is a love letter to 'The New Yorker' — and to love itself)
Coming, going places and opportunities
Congrats to Edafe Okporo listed as one of The Advocate's People of the Year.
Migration is never a happy voyage and we often leave parts of our hearts behind but Nigeria-born Edafe built a beautiful and meaningful life for himself and is yet another example of why immigrants are assets not liabilities.
And to Chris Johnson at the Blade! The Washington Blade has secured an officially designated seat in the White House James S. Brady briefing room, marking the first time an LGBTQ publication has been afforded the honor. A game-changer in making our voice heard.
Raffi Freedman-Gurspan(She/Her), the first openly transgender appointee in the Obama White House, is joining Secretary Buttigieg’s shop (on Politico) as deputy director of public engagement at the Department of Transportation.
Another win for Aaron Walton. Aaron was in the news this week as his agency was tapped by American Airlines to market to black consumers. Aaron is the best example of untapped LGBTQ+ talent for the American boardroom.
And talking about madmen. Jon Daly (Droga 5) joins the Board of Witness to Mass Incarceration, the non-profit of formerly incarcerated lesbian extraordinaire Evie Litwok. Too bad for those who did not tap him first, we got him (I preside WMI’s Board).
Governor Hochul and her LGBTQ+ coterie. There are many influential gay men in Gov. Hochul’s orbit including Jeff Lewis (Chief of Staff, read about him here) and fundraiser magician Casey Ryan who already filled her campaign coffers. She named her new LGBTQ+ team yesterday: Ron Zacchi (he/they) has been appointed Director of LGBTQ+ Affairs, Chanel Lopez (she/her) has been appointed Deputy Director of LGBTQ+ Affairs and Jenna Frasier (they/she), is the Edie Windsor, Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera LGBTQ Fellow working with the team.
Open for Business is recruiting a Strategic Partnerships Director role. Jon Miller and team are recruiting for a Strategic Partnerships Director. You can apply here.
Global Philanthropy Project seeks an Operations Manager. GPP’s mission is to expand global philanthropic support to advance the human rights of LGBTQ+ people in the Global South and East. The salary is $70K and you can work from anywhere in the US. Apply here.
And Out Leadership too is recruiting for four positions: Marketing Manager; Social Media Manager; Member Experience Associate; Junior Associate. Who wouldn’t what to hear my jokes every Tuesday in the all staff meeting?
In other news
Read this short piece by a young gay man on deserving to have children of his own. Two points truly echoed with my experience: i) not all gay men that want a family have the (noble) vocation to adopt; ii) LGBTQ+ people do not have to express gratitude for equality. It isn’t philanthropy, it is justice. Kuddos to Samuels Sims for knowing he deserves better and setting the record straight.
In her oped this week, GLAAD Sarah Kate Ellis makes the case for CEO sabbaticals. Particularly important when so many CEOs feel drained from the constant adaptation to the Covid-world in the past two years.
The cover story of New York Magazine this week is everything. “My Penis, Myself. I didn’t need a penis to be a man. But I needed one to be me”
Might not be directly LGBTQ+ related but this spot/campaign by the UN on climate change is surprisingly not bad. Anything with a dinosaur works for me (and Eitan too). #DontChooseExtinction is a great tagline too.
And to leave you on a more cheerful note than impending extinction, here is the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, DC performing "Merry Everything" in their 2021 concert, 'The Holiday Show. ' with their masks on too.
I wish you the best holidays and see you next week (I will work on 2022 predictions for LGBTQ+ equality for next week).