Comments on: Don’t Put Yourself on Sale

By: Liza

Liza — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 11:05:06 +0000

Of course every person's situation is different blah blah blah, but I do think we can and should hold high profile leaders to higher standards than Jane Dyke on the Street. Including examples of lesbian couples in her books is something Orman should have been doing all along.

In one of the many "OMG, Suze Orman is a lesbian" posts on Queercents, someone quoted her talking about having a net worth of over $25 million. Even if mentioning LGBT families in her books directly caused a sales dip of 2% (which I doubt), she could afford it easily. And I don't think honestly reflecting your community counts as putting yourself on sale. IMO, being in the closet is every bit as much of a devaluation of your self as working for too little money.

By: Paula

Paula — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 10:14:32 +0000

Thanks for the comments Dolores. I just wanted to clarify one point (in case I was too soapbox like) I'm not advocating that anyone, including Suze needs to speak for everyone. Truly impossible and I wouldn't want that anyway. I also don't think every other word out of her mouth in the books she writes should mention gays & lesbians. I just think it would be nice to mention it once or twice over the course of hundreds of pages of text if only to indicate that we actually EXIST and that was considered as she developed her plans and advice.

Goodness knows the limelight is probably challenge enough….and I too am pleased they are out. I'm not so much faulting anyone as saying — hey folks, just be honest.

By: dolores

dolores — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 07:14:03 +0000

I think Suze came "out" after the book was published – she did not hide the fact in an interview. However, I don't fault her or any other out person – I'm just pleased that they are out: Rosie, Ellen, Melissa, Martina, etc. We can't expect them to be the spokesperson for all lesbians. I've always felt that we need to connect with one person at a time – not easy when you are in the limelight but just the fact that they have come out should be enough for us – it is for me. But….I get your point. Let's remember it is always the bottom line and her agent probably discouraged her from using the words gay or lesbian in her books.