OutPerform - A weekly newsletter on LGBTQ+ Equality
Texas: Gun Control is an LGBTQ+ issue, Morrison defeated in Australia, timid engagement on LGBTQ+ issues in Davos, and more.
Welcome to this edition of my weekly equality news digest, where I share important (and less important) 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?
US News
Texas: Gun Control is an LGBTQ+ issue.
Because we have families. Because we are addressing thorny social issues. Because we are an innovative people. And because we must not lose hope that America and Texas can do better. In the aftermath of the Orlando massacre, we committed to do our part with Gays Against Guns, and it is time to recommit.
The Disney ripple effect: State Farm engulfs itself in the breach.
I see the State Farm statement as the canary in the coal mine of corporate support for LGBTQ+ inclusion in school curricula. The GenderCool Project, which State Farm dropped faster than my motorcycle insurance after my seventh speeding ticket, is a wonderful organization that dispels the image of the sad, lonely queer kid in a society that tends to hate its victims. State Farm's statement is clumsy and constitutes a poorly timed attempt at taking advantage of the right's backlash against corporate engagement on human rights.
US LGBTQ+ lawmakers banned from Russia.
So much for the Takano summer family vacation in Hotel Complex Areda 2-3 in Chemal. What an odd move to once again include LGBTQ+ people in a geopolitical fight that they did not cause. In any case, here is the blacklist.
Global News
Australia: Morrison defeated, Albo anointed.
This is a significant victory for human rights. Morrison tried to peddle in transphobia and cater to religious extremists with his unnecessary "religious discrimination" bill to distract attention from his climate track record, only to be rebuked in the polls. It is a great development and hopefully a message to populists everywhere. For schadenfreude, watch this.
Australia (again): responding to the trans in sports controversy.
Pride in Sport and Proud 2 Play, Pride Cup and Equality Australia have just launched a new campaign called "Supporting Women's Sport." This is to counteract the attacks on trans women and girls in sport, take the spotlight off them, and get the message across that if you truly care seriously about "saving" women's sport, then lobby your politicians for more funding, better facilities, equal pay and inclusion to grow participation. See the campaign here.
Davos: a timid engagement on LGBTQ+ issues.
Having a credible LGBTQ+ leader like Amit Paley at Davos is a positive development. He is at the center of the US backlash against trans youth and LGBTQ+ representation in schools. Yet, despite pressure from its funders, the World Economic Forum continues to pay lip service to one of the most pressing global issues – the criminalization of most LGBTQ+ people – and LGBTQ+ are very marginally represented in its discussions or the Forum's leadership. Maybe time to create the LGBTQ+ Forum as Davos (in Milan, in April, who is with me?) is losing steam (see With no A-listers, can Davos still play a part on the global stage?).
UN: renewing the mandate of the Independent Expert.
I was working for the UN when the position was approved, and it led to a fierce battle by some opponents. Nonprofit organizations are invited to join CSOs in urging the UN Human Rights Council to renew the mandate of the Independent Expert on violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity during its 50th session. You can sign here before June 14.
Coming and Going.
Aaron Walton elected to the 4A's Board Of Directors.
Congrats to the remarkable Aaron Walton (a top-tier gay Corporate Board candidate) for joining the Board of Directors 4A's (American Association of Advertising Agencies). See the press release here.
An emotional farewell to Urvashi.
This must-read New Yorker article by the excellent Masha Gessen about recently deceased icon Urvashi Vaid is a must-read.
Julie Dorf also penned a beautiful article which you can read here.
Nadine Smith on the Time 100 list.
TIME named Equality Florida Executive Director Nadine Smith to the 2022 TIME100, its annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. The full list and related tributes appear in the June 6/June 13 double issue of TIME, available on newsstands on Friday, May 27, and online now at time.com/time100.
Victory Fund VP of Communications job open.
I lived in DC for 16 years, and I am almost fully recovered. You can find the job description here.
The semi-cultural desk
Benediction: so that you never forget our stories.
I can't wait to watch the poet Siegfried Sassoon biopic coming out next week in the US (see the trailer here): Unacted Yearnings could be the title of my memoirs. In the meantime, read this interview with Terrence Davies with this magnific line:
"I did go on to the gay scene for a couple of months, and I thought, it's just not for me. […] I didn't like the sexual venality and the narcissism."
I guess Terrence won't be vacationing in Fire Island this summer.
Bill Maher upsets the community.
Bill Maher's tirade on trans people was heavy, not funny, and repeated talking points from the American toxic right, which are incorrect. But fear not, GLAAD was at Davos and probably Cannes this week …. You can form your own opinion by watching the segment here and hear the clapping when he says, "not everything is about you." We really need an organization to promote a counternarrative to defamatory coverage of trans people in the media…oh wait….
And Ricky Gervais too.
Netflix Ricky Gervais special also peddled anti-trans tropes drawing the community's ire and a fresh tweet from GLAAD. Netflix's very diplomatic response to critics sounded a lot like "Yes, but people like it, and it makes us money." In the meantime, Dave Chappelle's attacker claims LGBTQ+ jokes motivated his violent attack
Billy Eichner's Bros: it better be excellent, or I will throw a fit.
Bros is an upcoming gay romantic comedy that everybody is impatiently waiting for. You can see the trailer here. Personally, I hate the trailer but then again, I am difficult, and the New York Times seems enthralled.
Secret City by Jamie Hirchkik.
According to the New York Times review, Jamie's Kirchick Secret City is an "epic narrative," "enthralling," and "a whodunit to rival anything by Agatha Christie." The reviewer also described it as "a luxurious, slow-rolling Cadillac of a book, not to be mastered in one sitting. It would be best read at the violet hour with a snifter of brandy in a wood-paneled library." My type of castle. Here is the website of Jamie's publisher, where you can preorder Secret City from your favorite bookseller.
LGBTQ+ inclusive Finance
Tomorrow: the World Bank Group and the take-off of LGBTQ+ finance.
Join us virtually tomorrow (Thursday, May 26 at 9 a.m.) at the IFC - International Finance Corporation as we discuss LGBTQ+ inclusive finance. Given the pressing need for financial inclusion, the banking industry is well-positioned to increase LGBTI access to employment opportunities, financial services, and products. It will feature a panel discussion with Esohe Denise Odaro, Mary Porter Peschka, Rudaba Z. Nasir, Sharmila Hardi, Kelly Widelska, Citi, Deutsche Bank, and yours truly. Register here.
LGBTQ+ impact investing is coming.
Last week I joined a discussion on impact investing moderated by APCO Worldwide; you can watch the replay here.
The Gay Agenda
My June speaking engagements.
Without wanting to appear too egotistical, here is the list of where I will speak at in June. Pride is an excellent opportunity to remind corporations and their employees that they hold one of the keys to bringing urgently needed social change on LGBTQ+ issues. If your business, employee resource group, or law firm is looking for a speaker or panelist for Pride, please let me know; I am always open to spreading the gospel of corporate support for our movement.
Last night's Beto fundraising.
Despite the horrendous news and Beto returning early to Texas in the aftermath of the school shooting. Rob Smith and Rod Grozier still hosted Texas supporters at their house in Chelsea. I had to tell everybody that I was born in Paris, FRANCE. Cecile Richards reminded the audience, including Frank Bua, Tim Warmath, Jonathan Lovitz, and Dwight McBride, that "Texas and America can and deserve to be better represented in Government."
The Parsons benefit.
I had a wonderful evening tonight at the 73rd annual #ParsonsBenefit honoring Tory Burch, Lauren Santo Domingo, and Darren Walker at The Glasshouse, invited by Dwight A. McBride. Darren quoted MLK in his acceptance speech:
"Philanthropy is commendable, but it must not cause the philanthropist to overlook the circumstances of economic injustice which make philanthropy necessary," reminding the audience to always be conscious of the privileges behind their personal successes. Tory Burch made a passionate case that corporate social responsibility is good business. I ran into many friends, including Laurent Claquin, Gena Smith and Karin Raguin, and the fascinating Derek Blasberg. On the screen, Wes Gordon (also in the room) was wearing a black denim shirt which I hurried to buy online afterward. I congratulated Con Edison's CEO, Tim Cawley, for being one of a handful of Fortune 500 companies disclosing the sexual orientation and gender identity of their Board members. I chatted with designer Autumn on my left. The Fashion Show was as striking as the fashion in the crowd. The benefit raised an impressive $2.6 million for student scholarships at the New School Parsons School of Design.
June 8: Governor Hochul Pride Fundraiser.
The who's who of gay New York will be at the Hochul Pride fundraiser. We will gather on Wednesday, June 8th from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM in Hell’s Kitchen. You can get your ticket here.
June 16: the Equality PAC Gala.
I was planning to come down to DC for the event on June 16 but could not figure out what to do with my kids, and at $680 the round trip on Amtrak, I am not taking them. You can because you are childless. I mean, you could, but it's sold out and at fire marshal capacity. Confirmed guests include Pete and Chasten, Nina West, MI State Senator Mallory McMorrow, 8 of the 9 LGBTQ+ Members (SPM cannot attend and also got a bad rap in New York Magazine this week), and 26 other Members. I need to find a babysitter.