Financial expert
and best-selling author Suze Orman has come out
publicly against Florida's Amendment 2, which if passed
by voters next month, would constitutionally
ban same-sex marriage and civil unions in the
state.
Orman -- who is
gay and hosts a financial advice show on CNBC
-- warned that Amendment 2 would have far-reaching
effects for unmarried couples and seniors, as well as
gays and lesbians. Pension and health care benefits
could be eliminated for these groups should Amendment
2 pass.
"Many seniors
choose not to marry again to keep financial benefits
such as pensions from earlier marriages," Orman said in a
release. "Passage of Amendment 2 could threaten these
essential resources that help them stay out of
poverty."
Amendment 2 needs
approval from 60% of Florida's electorate to pass.
"My life's work
has been to help people, particularly women, take
responsibility for their own financial security," Ormon
said. "This amendment will undermine the ability of
people in Florida to protect themselves." (Neal
Broverman, The Advocate)
