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Suze Orman Comes Out  In the Feb. 25, 2007, issue of the New York Times Magazine, financial guru Suze Orman revealed that she is a lesbian and has been with her partner, Kathy Travis, for seven years. During the interview, which covered her latest book, Women and Money, due out at the end of this month, writer Deborah Solomon asked Orman if she is married, and Orman replied initially, "I'm in a relationship with life." Solomon then prompted, "Meaning what?" and Orman replied: "K.T. is my life partner. K.T. stands for Kathy Travis. We're going on seven years. I have never been with a man in my whole life. I'm still a 55-year-old virgin." Orman rocketed to fame in the late 1990s when her financial guidebooks, including The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom (1997) and The Courage to be Rich (1998) became best-sellers. She has become known for her straightforward, passionate financial advice that often is delivered with a spiritual angle. "In all realms of life it takes courage to stretch your limits, express your power, and fulfill your potential," she has said. "It's no different in the financial realm." In reaction to Orman's coming-out, numerous media outlets have focused on her statements regarding her inability to legally marry her partner and the financial repercussions of that status. "Both of us have millions of dollars in our name," Orman told the New York Times Magazine. "It's killing me that upon my death, K.T. is going to lose 50 percent of everything I have to estate taxes. Or vice versa." Though Orman now boasts a liquid net worth of approximately $25 million (with $7 million more in real estate), she didn't start out wealthy; in fact, Orman grew up in Chicago 's South Side and worked part-time at her father's take-out chicken shop. After completing her B.A. in social work, she moved to Berkeley, Calif., and worked at the Buttercup Bakery for seven years. Her professional financial career began in 1980 when she started working as an account executive at Merrill Lynch, where she remained for three years before becoming vice president of investments at Prudential Bache Securities. By 1987, Orman had founded her own business, the Suze Orman Financial Group. In 1997, she published her first book, The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom, which launched her on her career as a popular financial adviser. She now writes a monthly advice column in O Magazine and a biweekly column, Money Matters, on Yahoo! Finance. She also hosts two television shows: The Suze Orman Show on CNBC and Suze Orman's Financial Freedom on QVC. Despite Orman's popular appeal, she was criticized by Forbes in 1998 for misrepresenting her financial credentials, including the duration of her experience on Wall Street. The issue of her qualifications was again raised in the New York Times Magazine interview, but Orman has since laid to rest most of those questions, though some still scoff at her spiritually influenced, self-help approach to money. Her most recent book, Women and Money, focuses on why women don't understand money in the same way that men do. Orman argues that women would rather save money and give it to those who need it — including their children and their best friends — than invest it. Orman's quip to the New York Times Magazine that she is a "55-year-old virgin" has made headlines in some news outlets who have seized upon the tabloid-worthy comment for laughs. But what is most interesting is that despite the prurient angle this comment invites, few news outlets focus on Orman's sexual orientation. Instead, most focus on why it makes good financial sense to get married — and her inability to do so because she is in a same-sex relationship. It remains to be seen whether Orman's mainstream fans will continue to follow her advice now that they know she is a lesbian. If mainstream American consumers — including the countless soccer moms who have discovered her via Oprah — are able to see beyond Orman's sexual orientation and still believe in her financial guidance, this may affect the way many Americans view the financial issues surrounding gay marriage. |
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I can't believe that this
I can't believe that this story has gotten so little play in the mainstream media. It has been bantering around on several forums since before the weekend, but I haven't seen much of anything until today. Perhaps celebrities and pseudo-celebrities coming out isn't such big news any longer. Given the vitriolic anti-homosexual tirades that have been media fodder as of late, I would think this would rate at least an editorial mention.
I hope at some point she'll speak as to why she made the decision to come out now. I'm curious if she might have been on the verge of being outed and chose to trump someone's hand by outing herself. I am also very anxious to see how her followers react as well as how her competitors respond, particularly her more right-wing counterparts, such as Dave Ramsey.
I enjoy Suzie
I enjoy Suzie but I never really listened to her advice because I knew that it did not apply to me when she was talking about marriage. It's almost comforting to know that she is in the same boat. I do love everything else she says though. It’s amazing to me how people can accumulate so much debt. She likes to give them a strong dose of reality. =) She has actually taught me a lot about money, and I never really thought about her message being spiritual, just pleasant. Ha ha “people first, than money, than things”
I'm a fan of Suze. She
I'm a fan of Suze. She should write a book about joint finances for gay couples. How perfect would that be!
until then...
That would be great, but in the meantime, we have this:
http://www.queercents.com/
My partner of 24 years &
Hmmm.
Interesting story, to say the least. For the record, saying someone grew up on Chicago's South Side as a way to prove how badly they started out is not a good look. I was born and raised on the Southside and there are plenty of wealthy people there. Don't believe the hype.
does anyone know of this
So, sex with women does not equal sex?
"I'm still a 55-year-old virgin." ... WTF?
What an asinine statement.
55 yr old virgin
i really dont care to focus on her sex life as it seems to be that there's enough nosying around about who and what everyone else does in the bedroom or elsewhere. personally i think suze orman is a great financial advisor and the fact that she's an intelligent woman speaking for the better good of women kind..i think thats wonderful. why give her so much grief..i'm sure since she's come out.. shes getting enough bull from others.
re: "I'm still a 55-year-old virgin." ... WTF?
Gold Star Theory
There's a popular nickname for it called being a Gold Star. I think that may have been what she was attempting to reference without using/describing the nickname.
I don't believe it was meant as a negation of sex with women so much as a poorly framed joke.
"Gold Star"
I never heard that term before, SmokyJo, but I agree that's probably what she meant by her "55-y/o virgin" comment. I get that it was an attempt at self-deprecating humor, but I also understand why some folks were offended by it.
Re: DejaBlu's comment - "I hope at some point she'll speak as to why she made the decision to come out now.".... I happened to see Suze on Larry King the other night. When Larry asked her why she decided to come out, she said it was the first time a reporter ever specifically asked her about her personal life. She said that all of her friends, family staff & co-workers have long known she was a lesbian, and during her professional career, she never felt like she was in the closet. As long-time fans of her show on CNBC, we just assumed she was gay and never felt that she was obliged to spell it out for us. I think that, whether you're a teacher, a sanitation worker, or host of a cable TV talk show, you're entitled to have a private life.
55 y/o virgin
I'm sure the woman she has been sleeping with for 7 years was delighted to know that she actually has no sex life and has been enjoying a life of celibacy for almost a decade now. How exciting for her.
Suze...seriously. Kathy is probably pissed. What does "I'm in a relationship with life" mean? Is that what "virgins" are calling it these days? If Suze Orman is a virgin...what does that make the lesbians who aren't have sex? Super virgins?
Suze Orman's recent "coming out" to New York Times magazine
She was on The View
last week and they were talking about it. I didn't get that she'd JUST come out. I thought I was just the last to know, per usual. I doubt it'll affect her career much. It seems a snoozer to mainstream media, which is as it should be. But if she could use it to crusade for marriage equality, that'd be great. In the meantime, they should move here to Massachusetts. Not that it helps on the federal front.
Psshaw. You're thinking
Psshaw. You're thinking waaaay too hard about a stupid sound bite. It was meant as a joke, and, honestly, was a little too TMI for me. Don't need to know about her sexual history.
I'm not a fan of advice types other than Dan Savage, so I'm not going to comment on her that much professionally. Just going to say, "Yay for you. It's good that you came out, and yada yada, courageous public figure, yada." (Though, in all likelihood, my inner cynic said that KT made her come out, since it's probably not financially the best, so I doubt it was her own idea.)
Sinful and unnatural!
God's Wrath Against Mankind
18The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.21For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
24Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
26Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
28Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
Welcome to the Sisterhood, godGirl!
Repressed homosexuality is frequently revealed by over zealousness in religion or politics. We've seen it so often. Ted Haggard, Larry Craig.
I'm glad that you've found the AftenEllen forum as a way to express your own repressed homosexuality. I know that you probably can't appreciate it now, but you have taken a very big step toward self actualization.
best regards!
Narrow-Mindedness
Ok, I was so frustrated by your ignorant (and I'm using ignorant in the true sense of the word, not to be offensive) comment that I had to sign up to reply. I know this is totally off topic, but I need to say it. First, the references in the bible about "unnatural desires" are talking about temple prostitution and ritualistic sex. Second, when God destroyed Sodom Christians have been brainwashed into believing that it was because they were homosexuals and that's just the be-all and end-all of sin. Wrong. They weren't homosexuals, it was a show of power by the men - gang rape; why would Lot offer to hand his daughter over to a bunch of men if they were all gay?!? The bible says in Ezekiel "behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and her daughters, neither did she strengthen the poor and the needy"...hmmm, no mention of homosexuality - go figure. Third, google "Jonathan and David"...it is very likely one of the most beautiful (although sad) love stories I've ever read. There is irrefutable evidence that they were in a homosexual relationship. Ruth and Naomi. Fourth, the only other references to homosexuality are found in the Levitical code. This is where you'll also read that you shouldn't do such horrible things as; eat pork, wear clothes made of different fibers, women not being allowed to speak in church or teach men. Fifth, Jesus himself affirmed a homosexual couple when he healed the Centurion's servant. If you don't believe me, do some digging, they were generally companions both personally and sexually. Seriously, gay Christians have been so abused by others (both Christians and non-Christians alike) that it's no wonder so many teen commit suicide rather than live as a homosexual. Spread the truth. God loves us all...gay and straight alike.
H
Had to Join the Joiner
I know this is an old post but..................I just had to join to say to you :
AMEN - Sister Friend - AMEN
I'm straight, married, a Mom - could have been considered Catholic at one time I only know a couple of girls that I know are gay and wish I knew more gay men because they are wicked funny and wicked fun to hang with..............Too many people think they know what God meant and wants better than God. The Allmighty doesn't care if you are straight or gay. Doesn't care if you worship in church or in the bathroom. doesn't care if you go to confession or bowling they are both great for the soul. The Allmighty cares if you effect this life in a positive way, cares if you are nice to children and pet puppies and help helpless kitties and are kind to your neighbor and tolerant of things and people not like you.
There are a million ways to be kind but the only way to be mean is to hate!!!~!!~!!!~!
I wish I had all the facts and bible reading you do to back that up but I think we're on the same page. God love you and bless you and yours
B
It never ceases to amaze...
I am a 43 year old straight white male from the midwest; I am in the small group who would normally be considered your constituency. Alass, I am not! I have straight friends and gay friends; I know straight and gay people that I don't like. The fact that I don't like them has nothing to do with their sexual orientation.
It never ceases to amaze me that, even in this day and age, some people can be so narrowminded and judjmental. I believe the quote is, "Judge not lest ye be judged."
There are places in the bible which advocate death for transgressions such as adultery, working on the sabbath and breaking certain dietary laws. Jimmy Swaggert, Jim Baker, do they get to choose between stoning or firing squad? Will they be given blindfolds? How are we going to get all those NFL teams to hold still so we can execute them? My six year old neighbor was eating a ham and cheese sandwich earlier today; will you come get her for execution, or should we make arrangements to have her sent to you? Does she get her mommy or a blindfold?
Why are so many people in this world concerned with who other people are sleeping with? Does it make Joe a better plumber if he goes home to Carla instead of Carl? I have a very simple that should serve most people well: I don't care who you are sleeping with as long as you aren't sleeping with me!!
As far as Suze goes, I think she is an above average financial advisor, and if the time was right for her, I'm glad she "came out".
Maybe it is a lack of maturity, life experience or true understanding that gives rise to these types of comments. If it is the former, hopefully, time and experience will show you the light; if it is the later, I still hope the best for you.
A brilliant man once spoke with longing for the day when we would all be measured by the "content of our character". Let us hope that day will soon be here.
Best Wishes,
Fitz
Since when does sexual
What a coincidence!
I was just watching Oprah today and her guest was Suze Orman. I kept admiring her beauty throughout the entire show because I realized how incredibly similar she looked to a woman I once fell in love with. I immediately looked her up afterwards and, well what do you know? She's a lesbian! Yaaay! I think my gaydar is much better than I originally thought, but there was sort of a clue... she was wearing a gold necklace with a gear-shaped circle surrounding an upside down triangle that had a red stone in the center. Hmmm... at first I thought it was wishful thinking that it was some sort of gay emblem or reference, but I guess it was! Besides, How could such a beautiful, strong, intelligent woman not be a lesbian?!
Shes mediocre at best as a financial adviser...
...and her show is boring...
...but i wouldn't mind popping her cherry.
*Sigh*
Hmmm...
For some reason, this thread has "inspired" you to join this site and make your first post.
I don't think Suze Orman is mediocre or boring and, in my humble opinion, she offers good, sound advice. Our country is facing an economic crisis right now, because people are not making logical decisions when it comes to their finances. (They're getting into debt...failing to work within a budget...buying more than they can afford...etc. )
I love that she is so straight forward when it comes to telling people the truth about their situations.
LOVE Suze Orman !!
I am glad she is out! hurray!! I am a big FAN of her, I love her show and heed to her financial advice. No one should focus on her sex life but her great financial expertise. Being gay is not a sin. God loves us all...gay and straight alike. About that comment.... "I'm still a 55-year-old virgin " She is right, if the hymen is not broken (penetrated) Therefor she is still a virgin even if she is in a sexual relationship with a woman. She is still a virgin.
Why Such Hate
Hmmm...
Many times...I have to wonder if those who feel the need to quote scripture are simply working through their own internal "fears"/insecurities/issues (if you know what I mean... ;-) ).
It is quite interesting to me that the essence of Biblical teaching is love, and yet, the self-righteous arm themselves with scripture to perpetuate their own form of "hate" (whether directed towards others or "self-hate").
Now...
This is a discussion on Suze Orman (not Christianity), so I will end this discussion at this point.
Side Note: I am not the other "H" who responded directly to GodGirl and you can tell which one I am by noting my avatar.
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