OutPerform | A weekly newsletter on LGBTQ+ Equality - Issue #49
This week: anti-LGBTQ+ bills sailing through state legislatures, Ukraine with an LGBTQ+ lens, Singapore crushed by its institutions, Bersani's death, return of the East Coast black-tie gala & more...
Welcome to this edition of my weekly equality news digest, where I share important (and, let's be honest, less important news!) news, updates, and commentary about the global LGBTQ+ equality movement.
Questions, feedback, and comments are always welcome. Would you mind sharing with your network to continue helping us move the LGBTQ+ equality conversation forward?
Ukraine: with an LGBTQ+ lens.
Bathsheba Nell Crocker, the US representative to the UN Geneva, claimed on Monday that Russian forces have a list of Ukrainians of "interest," including LGBTQ+ people. Vice published an article titled "LGBTQ+ Ukrainians Fear the Worst for the Russian Invasion." Meanwhile, OutRight Action International (on the Board of which I serve) launched a fundraising campaign to channel funds to LGBTQ+ groups in Ukraine for shelter and support in nearby countries. Almost $200,000 was raised, and the first grants have already been disbursed. Check out my take on the invasion and why undermining human rights with anti-LGBTQ+ bills has geopolitical consequences - "Ukraine and the lone wolf theory." QUA - LGBTQ+ Ukrainians in America is looking for a free office space in NYC to create a small crisis center ahead of the refugee crisis.
US News
State of the Union.
If you missed it, President Biden mentioned in his speech the need to pass the Equality Act stuck in the Senate but also acknowledged the irrational onslaught of anti-trans bills (see endless list below).
Florida: but where are the "LGBTQ+ friendly" businesses?
The "Don't Say Gay" and "Stop WOKE Act" bills have now passed the House and are heading to the Senate. The bills are part of five problematic pieces of legislation making their way through the legislature. Equality Florida released a business letter with signatories such as Levi Strauss, H&M, J. Crew, Lush, and Ben & Jerry's to oppose the "Stop WOKE Act." Yet the most striking signatories are the missing ones: Disney (which Eric Cervini called out), Carnival Cruises, the Miami Dolphins, or Royal Caribbean. I had reached out to them with no response.
Texas: a step too far?
Texas has been the scene of an unrelenting assault on trans rights but, as a parent, I am shocked by the viciousness of this latest attack. This week, Human Rights Watch has criticized Texas Governor Greg Abbott for threatening supportive parents to take aways their trans kids. Yesterday, it was confirmed that the state is indeed sending child protective services (CPS) into families' homes to investigate them for having transgender children and accessing their medical care (see this New York Times piece). The ACLU and Lambda filed suit yesterday. Athletes have called for the Gay Softball World Series to boycott Dallas. Dell (see Erik Day's post) and AT&T made their position clear to lawmakers. However, other key employers such as Oracle (which moved to Austin last year), ExxonMobil, and TenetHealth remained conspicuously silent on what is a traumatizing threat to parents and children in the state. If you know employees in these companies, urgent time for a text.
Kentucky: trying to block the anti-trans sports bill.
Kentucky's SB83 is a step closer to becoming law. We have asked businesses to write to the following lawmakers to oppose the bill and stress the harm it will create:
David W. Osborne (David.Osborne@lrc.ky.gov)
David Meade (David.Meade@lrc.ky.gov)
Steven Rudy (Steven.Rudy@lrc.ky.gov)
Suzanne Miles (Suzanne.Miles@lrc.ky.gov)
Chad McCoy (Chad.McCoy@lrc.ky.gov).
It also is an opportunity to remind lawmakers that the economic fallout will undoubtedly be negative. Freedom for All Americans is also planning to release its national letter in KY this week. If you would like to sign it, please contact them at info@freedomforallamericans.org.
Indiana: another disappointing development.
Despite our best efforts, the Indiana Senate on Tuesday passed HB1041 (see ACLU's statement) that would prohibit transgender girls from participating in girls' sports competitions. The measure is now on Gov. Holcomb's desk –tell him not to sign it into law: GovHolcomb@gov.in.gov cc: Earl Goode, his Chief of Staff egoode@gov.in.gov. Despite my reaching out, local employers GM, Kroger, and Steel Dynamics have remained silent.
Missouri: Twitter suspends transphobic lawmaker.
US Rep. Vicky Hartzler, a Republican Senate candidate from Missouri currently US representative for Missouri's 4th congressional district, was suspended (very briefly) from Twitter after tweeting: "Women's sports are for women, not men pretending to be women." As you may guess, it is a crowded primary, and Hartzler is desperate for votes.
Global News
East Meets West hosts 8th international conference.
It is becoming clear that if not a hot one, we are entering another cold war, and the artificial culture war over LGBTQ+ issues in Eastern Europe will be at the frontlines. The East Meets West hybrid Conference will take place Friday, July 22, 2022, in Bratislava, Slovakia. Registration opens in May.
Kosovo: spotlight on the Civil Code.
This Thursday, the Kosovan legislature will consider and vote for the new Civil Code. Last year, we wrote to the President (see our Letter to Her Excellency Vjosa Osmani) asking her to make room in the Code for same-sex marriage. Some conservative groups are not happy. Stay tuned.
Singapore: persists in upholding section 377.
The Singapore Court of Appeal Monday dismissed an appeal against Section 377A of the Penal Code on the strange basis that the authorities do not prosecute the law and that a court is not "an architect of social policy" (Read about it in the Los Angeles Blade and the New York Times). A disappointing yet expected outcome for our friends at PinkDot. Ultimately it shows a consensus among institutions in Singapore that they do not need to make progress on LGBTQ+ issues, and our pressure campaign must increase.
Cameroon: journalists take note of US Ambassador's sexuality.
The headline is obviously click-bait: "polemic over the American Homosexual Ambassador." Yet, the fact that other local outlets did not pick it up is a clear sign that the appointment of Christopher John Lamora is a non-issue for President Biya's government. While we are here, check out Mrs. Chantale Biya's outfits in case you haven't done so previously.
UK: a rotten corporate culture.
In the wake of the Carillion scandal, the Financial Times reports that auditors have warned of a "post-Covid organizational culture crisis" at UK companies and called on regulators to impose stricter rules on directors to avoid a repeat of recent corporate scandals. Interesting for me as we have been urging FCA to include LGBTQ+ independent directors in the listing rule it envisions (Read Clifford Chance's briefing).
LGBTQ+ and international development: Phil Crehan paves the way.
This week, Phil Crehan - THE expert on the topic - launched his newsletter "The Development Cache" for anybody interested in exploring the interconnection between shared prosperity and the human rights of LGBTQ+ people. Check it out here, subscribe and share.
Global Equality Fund Partners meeting.
The Spring Meeting of the GEF, a public-private partnership with a great track record of supporting grass-root movements globally, is now April 8 in DC.
Call for Fellows
David Mixner ICWA Fellowship.
The Institute of Current World Affairs David Mixner Writing Fellowship (with generous contributions by Barilla, the Palette Fund, the David Bohnett Foundation, and Board Member Catherine Rielly - you can still contribute here so we close the funding gap) launched its call for proposal. Young professionals interested in going live in the field for two years to study an LGBTQ+ topic of interest should apply before June 15. Here is the link.
RFSL Rainbow Advocacy Program.
RFSL, the Swedish Federation for LGBTQI rights, has launched the call for applications for its Rainbow Advocacy Program 2022 – 2023. RAP is a 13-month-long fellowship for LGBTQI activists from the Global South and East to gain hands-on experience in UN advocacy. You will find more information here. The deadline is March 15.
Funders for LGBTQ Issues: GUTC Leaders Fellowship.
The GUTC Leaders Fellowship is a wonderful initiative to support a pipeline of trans talent. The fellowship is open to all binary and nonbinary trans-identified and gender non-conforming persons currently employed full- or part-time with a philanthropic entity based in the United States. See here.
Black-Tie season on the East coast
April 20: HousingWorks Design on a Dime is back.
I just got my ticket for what is always the best NYC event of the year. After a two-year Covid hiatus, HousingWorks (on the Board of which I serve) will host its Eighth Annual Groundbreaker Awards Dinner as a kickoff to Design on a Dime. The event will honor my friend Laurent Claquin, the openly gay CEO for Americas of French luxury conglomerate Kering. If your company is interested in purchasing a table at the event, contact me. The link to the event website is here.
May 6: GLAAD Media Awards.
The 33rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards takes place at the Hilton Midtown on May 6, 2022. I have not gotten my ticket yet as I assume you will want me at your table (subtle hint).
May 20 – ICWA Spring Gala at the Cosmos Club.
As we launch the David Mixner ICWA fellowship, please plan on joining us for our Spring Gala at the Cosmos Club in Washington DC. Contact me to join my table that night. The following day, the institute will host a tribute dinner at the Cosmos Club celebrating longtime Executive Director Peter Martin.
June 6: Outright Celebrates 30th anniversary.
Outright's first seated gala will take place on June 6, 2022, at the Tribeca Rooftop. While most sponsorship opportunities are sold out, Gold sponsorship ($30,000) is available. Outright is probably the best organization positioned to directly support embattled LGBTQ+ communities from Afghanistan to Ukraine. You can contact: cbazemore@OutRightInternational.org
Coming and Going
Today our friend, Gurchaten Sandhu, some of you know as Nanoo, joined the ILGA World family as the new Director of Programmes at ILGA World. With new Executive Director Julia Ehrt, ILGA is well-positioned to take the lead in setting priorities for an increasingly fragmented LGBTQ+ movement.
From the Semi-Cultural desk
Leo Bersani dies.
Dr. Bersani, who long advocated against gay assimilation at the expense of the freedom from sociological constructs (I guess he lost that battle), passed last week. Check out his contribution to our history.
Sam Elliott takes courageous stance against gay cowboys.
Elliott got ridiculed this week for having a mini-breakdown over the gay theme in Netflix's Power of the Dog. Do gay people respect anything at all? (the whole drama in MIC)
Clearly, memes are dangerous in 2022.
@gaymeme.heaven got into trouble for generalizing what gay men lust after (see Queerty). I personally REALLY like Nick Jonas.
Erratum
A small correction to my post last week on the 18 out LGBTQ+ directors representing 24 seats on Fortune 500 Boards. It is actually 25 seats as Darren Walker holds 2 Fortune 500 seats – besides Pepsico, he is also on the Board of Block (formerly Square), Fortune #323.
Let's be honest; it has not been a good week for the world, so take good care of yourselves and keep hope and faith. See you next week at the same time.