OutPerform – A Weekly Newsletter on LGBTQ+ Equality
This week: court victory in Poland, Ferdinand Marcos II, the Pope writes to us, anti-LGBTQ+ creativity, a return to Weimar Germany, Grindr’s Board, Ed Koch, Evan Wolfson about next steps and more…
I read news at the intersection of LGBTQ+ rights and business so you don’t have to.
Global News
Philippines: plus ça change...
Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the son of his namesake and late dictator, was elected in yet another strange historical twist. His father’s decades in power [1965-1986] were marked by a violent repression. The Philippines is a rather tolerant country for LGBTQ+ people and Marcos has expressed support for same-sex unions in the past.
Poland: a win in the courts.
In Poland, the judicial system has proved its resilience. Last week, Kyle Knight at Human Rights Watch highlighted a positive decision by a court in the city of Rzeszów that dropped a case against an activist accused of calling out decisions by communes to create “LGBT Free-Zones” in his campaign. Read more here.
Cameroon: stigmatization leads to violence.
Areas of Africa with French influence are not progressing at the same pace than other parts of the continent. This week HRW highlights the Cameroonian authorities inertia in the face of violence against LGBTQ+ individuals. Ultimately, the inadequate French foreign policy and support to grass-root movements is a bottleneck to change.
Russia: leader of Pussy Riots escapes.
Maria Alyokhina, who was facing an even harsher prison sentence in the current context, disguised herself as a food courier to escape Russia. The New York Times recounts her harrowing journey. Pussy Riots has always been a visible opponent to Putin and his anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric. Ukraine DAO, a project organized by Pussy Riot and others funds Outright Action International’s efforts with crypto donations to support Ukrainians (donate here - disclaimer: I serve on Outright’s Board).
Japan: inching its way towards Equality.
Japan remains the only G-7 country with no form of same-sex civil union. While Shibuya has recognized same-sex unions for 7 years, it’s only this week that it got extended to the whole Tokyo prefecture starting in November (read about it here). The Governor had previously announced it. A significant victory.
Catholic Church: the Pope writes to LGBTQ+ people.
In another important step, the Pope indicated his support for Father Martin’s Outreachwebsite by responding to questions from LGBTQ+ people in a handwritten note in Spanish to Martin (read about it here). Outreach 2022 Conference is also coming up June 24-25 (register here) at Fordham Lincoln Center.
US News
Republican creativity: LGBTQ+ TV ratings are next.
The LGBTQ+ house is on fire. While the prospect of LGBTQ+ protections being repealed looms, Senator Roger Marshall authored a letter, signed by another four US Senators, to the TV Parental Guidelines Advisory Board asking them to update its ratings to warn parents of LGBTQ+ content on shows. The letter ends with a plea to consider “how the Board has rated sexually related, violent, and obscene materials to ensure it is applied without ideological bias”. You can read the letter here. Really endearing move Roger! In the meantime, my sons quote “Mean Girls”.
Roe vs. Wade: the corporations supporting anti-abortion politicians.
Companies playing both sides on social issues might have a harder time as watchdogs become skilled at tracking and releasing information on political donations to what has become a truly toxic opposition. Last week Popular Information published a list of companies that supported the election of anti-abortion politicians (not including PAC contributions). The list includes many companies that have elaborate floats in our Pride Parades.
Florida: the kids are resisting.
Some LGBTQ+ leaders may have moved on to photo-ops at the White House Correspondent Dinner (in a move somewhat reminiscent of Weimar Germany) and Bob Chapek and Susan Arnold may have survived the storm, but high school students continue resisting “Don’t Say Gay” as highlighted in this article. Student Zander Moricz, as an example, has organized multiple actions including distributing “Say Gay” stickers. In this USA Today piece, students all over the US express their frustration with being caught in the political game.
“It's all these people are making rules about you that you don't have any say on, and it's distressing."
White House: the appointment of Karine Jean-Pierre.
Amidst this toxicity, President Biden announced some good news. Karine Jean-Pierre will be the first Black woman and first openly LGBTQ+ woman to hold the position of White House press secretary. The fact that she is Haitian-American is also significant as the US has treated poorly Haitian immigrants. Jean-Pierre was the star of the evening at the GLAAD Awards last week and received a standing ovation.
Mass incarceration is an LGBTQ+ issue.
Read Hugh Ryan’s article in the Washington Post. His analysis of the root causes of the disproportionate representation of LGBTQ+ people in jail echoes the lived experience of the wondrous Evie Litwok, the lesbian formerly-incarcerated ED of Witness to Mass Incarceration (a Board I serve on). Evie often comments on the fact that lesbians, trans and queer women represented the bulk of women in jail. This issue is largely ignored by leading LGBTQ+ organizations which have almost no programs or advocacy initiatives for incarcerated, formerly incarcerated LGBTQ+ people and LGBTQ+ youth in the Juvenile Justice System. A stark reminder that we could benefit from rethinking our definition of “community”.
Drug overdoses also are an LGBTQ+ issue.
In a recent post I made a reference to my many friends lost to suicide and/or addiction and how these deaths cannot be dissociated from the trauma of our childhoods. Another 108,000 people died of an overdose in 2021 the CDC announced this week.
A Congressional trip to the Border.
On May 6th, five Congresspeople from California, including Rep. Takano, visited Tijuana shelters for LGBTQ+ asylum seekers. The trip was organized by the Council for Global Equality (CGE) and involved Steve Roth, ORAM’s ED. Read about it here.
From the Boardroom
Grindr’s New Board.
Everything in Grindr’s investor presentation this week was fascinating (such as the 53% margin!). I paid particular attention to the new Board which included top-tier LGBTQ+ Board members: Nathan Richardson, Meghan Stabler, Daniel Baer and George Arrison (whose wedding and story was featured in the New York Times in 2019). You should also read this blog by Jack Harrison-Quintana, of Grindr for Equality, on the impact of going public on the community. I don’t have a penny but if I did, homosexual intimacy and cannabis sure make for great long -term investments.
Maggie FitzPatrick appointed to AN2 Therapeutics.
Maggie FitzPatrick who, until 2020, was Exelon’s Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Philanthropy and Customer Engagement joined the Board of AN2 Therapeutics. Read the announcement here.
US Boards make small ethnic diversity gains.
Equilar published its Board ethnic diversity report last week. The conclusion is that Boards of U.S. companies are still disproportionately white, despite greater overall diversity. More data in favor of the regulator and investors playing a proactive role.
The semi-cultural desk.
Article on Mayor Ed Koch gets strong pushback.
Not everybody (as in almost nobody) appreciated “The Secrets Ed Koch Carried” on the New York Times front page this May 8. Many felt the over-generous exposé tried to elicit compassion for a man whose administration overlooked gay people dying from HIV in the streets of New York. Conservatives on the other hand accused the Times of having post-mortem outed the mayor. The article comes on the heels of an effort by the LGBT Democratic Club to change the name of the 59th bridge. My take is that homophobia and transphobia have so many indirect costs to society, it is baffling that it remains a staple of American or Australian politics today.
A comic book about Barney Frank.
I don’t know about you but I felt much safer when Barney was in Congress so I can’t wait to read with some nostalgia, Barney the comic (see the NPR’s review). Smaht Guy by Eric Orner.
In doubt: always ask Evan Wolfson.
Evan Wolfson, the architect of marriage equality, reminded us in a strong oped titled “We know enough already” that it is no time for defeatism or infighting over small differences: “We didn’t win marriage as a gift from the Court; we mobilized, organized, persuaded, shared our stories, fought, and worked for decades to change hearts and minds, and then the law. We won in legislatures, in state courts and then federal, at the ballot, and in millions of personal conversations.”
Short documentary on the short-lived pre-WWII LGBTQ+ community.
And if Evan’s oped is not enough, watch this short documentary, a collaboration between Klaus Muller and Duncan Laurence, winner of the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest and Dutch Ambassador for Freedom 2022.
Tom Daley on fatherhood and surrogacy.
Daley and DLB have had a continuous positive impact on the visibility of LGBTQ+ families in the UK and beyond. This week Daley reflected on the hurdles in his journey towards fatherhood. Surrogacy remains only accessible to the wealthiest who often have to travel to the US to bypass restrictive local laws on surrogacy.
Madison Cawthorn attacks’ subtext is no joke.
Despite some democrats finding schadenfreude in these repeated attacks, Clay Aiken pointed out this week that it is no coincidence that they all have a gay subtext. It taps into the homophobia of the electorate which frankly is not a good look for America.
“There’s plenty of shit to attack Madison Cawthorn about…without having to stoop to these homophobic stereotypes or tropes” Clay Aiken said.
A South Korean thriller with a lesbian plot.
I watched “Handmaiden”, a 2016 Korean movie, featuring a lesbian plot set in Japanese-occupied Korea in the 1930s. If you do not trust my taste, note that it has an exceptionally high rating (8.1) on IMdB. Watch the trailer here.
The New York Times and our chosen family.
Well this is uplifting ! The New York Times is asking us for Pride about our chosen families. Authentic connection is a game changer for LGBTQ+ individuals and I love that the Times knows that. You can submit your chosen family here.
Coming and Going.
Chief People Officer position at the Trevor Project.
The Trevor Project is hiring a Chief People Officer.
Another LGBTQ+ Biden appointee at DOJ.
Our DC friend Carlos Uriarte was appointed Assistant Attorney General for Legislative Affairs at the U.S. Department of Justice (see press release).
Drew Keller graduating from HBS.
I had lunch this week with former Open for Business staff extraordinaire, Drew Keller, is graduating from Harvard Business School and has already obtained the perfect job at HBS to leverage the power of the private sector for the greater good.
The Gay Agenda
Friday: Ali Forney – A Place at the Table gala.
I will miss the sold-out gala this Friday at Cipriani Wall Street. Ali Forney’s amazing and diverse staff under the leadership of Alexander Roque carry out their mission, addressing youth homelessness in NYC, with humility and dedication. A worthwhile organization. If you do attend, say hi to Trans New York founder Genn Herley and her wife Nancy who will be in attendance as well as our Barilla friends including CEO Jean-Pierre Comte. If you cannot attend, you can still donate.
This weekend: Equality PAC Donor meeting in Chicago.
I am heading to Chicago for the Equality PAC Donor meeting. A political action committee with ties to the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, the Equality PAC supports many candidates in upcoming elections (including …Clay Aken).
Monday: the Family Equality Council dinner.
I look forward to celebrating honorees Jordan Roth/Richie Jackson as well as LGBTQ+ parent extraordinaire Lydia Gray-Holifield at Pier Sixty (see press release).
Tuesday: the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.
The 2022 theme is “Our Bodies, Our Lives, Our Rights” (you can download the 2022 posters here). I will be speaking early that morning to the European Central Bank and Single Supervisory Mechanism employees on the theme of “allyship”.
You can also join the in person United Nations LGBTI Core Group IDAHOT Event that day: "Our Bodies, Our Lives, Our Rights: the lived realities of LGBTI persons" at 9 am EDT. Register here.
Thursday May 19: LGBTQ+ Impact Investing.
Outperform focuses on LGBTQ+ impact investing. Next week, I will discuss the social change potential of impact investing, in particular for LGBTQ+ people, in a session titled "COVID Pandemic and the Force of Impact Investing". In 2022, maximizing shareholder returns must be accompanied by a positive social impact of ‘doing business’ and we have a methodology when it comes to LGBTQ+ people.
Monday May 24: a NYC fundraiser for Beto O’Rourke.
In case you need a reminder: it might not feel like it but our opponents have not won and those who stand for dignity and human rights can regain control. Join me at this intimate LGBTQ+ fundraiser for Beto in NYC. Dinner Donation are $5,000 (Give/Get), cocktail Reception Donation: $1,000 and General Donations are welcome (here for tickets). Disclaimer: I am not allowed to give, I am a “non-immigrant alien”.
Monday June 6: join the Outright Action Intl Gala.
You can still join us to support one of the most impactful and efficient LGBTQ+ organizations. The honorees are true heroes making a difference: Gloria Careaga, Brent Miller (P&G), and Nadya Tolokonnikova (co-funder of Pussy Riots). Link here.
Wednesday June 8: Pride fundraiser for Kathy Hochul.
Two days later, many of our friends are hosting a pride reception in support of NY Governor Kathy Hochul.
Last week: GLAAD Awards 2022.
I briefly attended the 33rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards presented by Gilead Sciences, Inc. last Friday and you can read my take on it here.
As usual, thank you for reading, caring and not giving up.