Out and Successful

The much-admired financial guru Suze Orman has had a successful popularity streak over the past few years. America has tuned into her popular TV show called the Suze Orman Show on CNBC and have purchased her best selling books to learn about her powerful financial beliefs and analysis. She is someone who is not shy when it comes to expressing her opinions on a subject, especially financial information.

Just this past Sunday Suze made a courageous move when she acknowledged the fact that she was a lesbian. During an interview held with Deborah Solomon of the New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/25/magazine/25wwlnq4.t.html?_r=1&oref=slogin), she asked Suze about her new book, her thoughts behind it, and her personal life. When Suze was asked if she was married she responded with “I’m in a relationship with life. My life is just out there. I’m on the road every day. I love my life.” The reporter was a bit confused with Suze’s response so she asked her what that meant exactly. Suze then openly responded with, “K.T. (Kathy Travis) is my life partner. We’re going on seven years.” Suze also mentioned the fact that she and her partner would love to get married because she would feel comfortable knowing that if anything were to happen to her that her partner would be taken care of. Suze mentioned that it scares her thinking that its possible “K.T. is going to lose 50 percent of everything she has to estate taxes. Or vice versa” due to the fact that they are unable to get married.

This was a huge and courageous move Suze made by finally speaking out about her sexuality. I’m sure it wasn’t easy especially because it was going to be published in an article by one of America’s most respected newspapers. It makes me wonder how Suze Orman’s conservative viewers and readers feel about this information. Nevertheless, I highly respect Suze for what she has done because during this day and age it is so hard to come out about your sexuality with out getting some sort of criticism for it. It’s unfortunate to think that being the profound business woman and highly successful person she is that her sexuality stands in the way of the marriage and future she and her partner long for.

A future full of dreams

A very close friend of mine happens to be one of the nicest, most caring, and understanding people, you will ever meet in your entire life. She has had a rough life growing up and has gone through some of the toughest situations you would never imagine possible. She was originally from the southwest and currently resides in Los Angeles. She came to California on her own and only at the age of 16. She came to California wanting to help herself in many ways, but most importantly, education was a major factor. She has worked so much over the years to save money for her education and especially for her family. Everything she does she truly does for them. She is a person that always thinks of others before herself and would rather help her family and friends out in any which way we she possibly can.

You may be thinking so why all this information on my friend right? Well aside from being such a wonderful person, my friend also happens to be a lesbian. She is a GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender) activist and currently works at her universities pride center. She always tries her best to make the members of her school who are GLBT citizens to feel comfortable around their environment and not be afraid to open up. She always influences her peers to be proud of who they are and to feel privileged for the lives they have because they could be worse.

Whenever we discuss our futures, we always mention the fact that we want to have a successful job, meet that special someone, get married, and have children. I always ask her about the marriage issues our country has regarding same sex couples and how she feels towards them. She openly expresses her beliefs on them and understands that the US just isn’t ready to accept the fact that same sex couples should be able to get married and receive the same rights as straight couples do. That is why she tries her best to spread positive messages regarding GLBT citizens and that they should all have the same rights as everyone else and that there is no sufficient reason as to why they should not.

Realizing and understanding the passion my friend has toward this issue and the fact that she approaches it in such a positive way greatly encouraged me to blog about the topic of pro same sex marriages. Being the wonderful person my friend happens to be there is no possible way I could imagine her future dreams and goals not take place after everything she has gone through and has accomplished. I would love to see her future unveil the way she has always hoped for and that she lives the blissful life we all wish to have.

In love... then what?

You finally meet that special someone. They are the person who brings you an immeasurable amount of happiness, contentment, and of course LOVE. Love is such a powerful emotion. It takes over our minds and bodies in such a way that it can become indescribable. When two people love each other and realize they want to spend the rest of their lives together they begin to plan their future together. Their future would most likely entail marriage, a home, children, and all the things they have ever dreamed of. Sounds easy right? Wrong.

It is so hard for me to understand why it is such a problem for people, especially the government to recognize gay marriage. What is the big deal about a same sex couple being in love and wanting to get married? It is their life and they have the freedom to do with it as they please. Why should they not have the liberty of getting married and living happily with their significant other just as the rest of America does. Same sex couples go to work, pay their taxes, and do everything a heterosexual couple does. So why can they not get married? Just because their partner happens to be of the same gender, should not give anyone a reason to discriminate against them. They are human beings with the same wants and needs as everyone else. Who are we to tell them whom they can and can’t marry. We are no one to make such decisions because it is out right absurd, it is their life and whom they chose to marry will not affect us and is simply none of our business.