Bill Gates, entrepreneur and millionaire, has always been a role model to me, but today I read an article that moves him even further up the ladder and onto a different, personal plateau. Of course, Mr. Gates will never know that, nor will he ever know what his comments meant to me, but that’s okay. What matters is not what he knows of me, but what I know of him.

The people I typically admire the most are those who work hard and relentless to promote human equality and rights, especially gay rights, and today, I found that Mr. Gates is one of many who not only support these rights quietly in their own homes and family, but promotes it publicly.

The article was posted in “The Advocate” (You can read the article and watch a short video clip HERE) on March 16, 2013.

Speaking with Mike Allen in an interview for “Playbook Cocktails,” Mr. Gates discusses the Boy Scouts, where he learned to tie knots he still uses when he secures his boat to the dock. From his days in the Scouts, he also learned a great deal about long distance hiking, more than he apparently wanted to know, and incorporates part of that knowledge in hikes with his children. While I found this entertaining, and even interesting, this is not what caught my attention.

Mr. Allen asked if the boy scouts should stop the ban on gay members and leaders. Although I had read the headline and knew the answer, I still held my breath for a second or two, afraid this was a trick. It wasn’t.
“Of course.”

Oh how my heart soared upon hearing those two little words. Bill Gates, successful business man, entrepreneur, Microsoft founder, millionaire, philanthropist, and role model stood up for gay rights!
As I did a little research, I found that he doesn’t hide behind his words, saying only what he thinks is popular opinion, but he puts his money where his mouth is.

Mr. Gates, in his infinite wisdom and generous heart, both personally and along with his wife and his foundation, gives money to organizations to help fight and raise awareness for HIV/AIDS as well as working toward legalizing gay marriage.

For me, his support, encouragement, and donations for those with HIV/AIDS and the LGBTQ community rises far above any financial or professional gain he has made throughout his career. I hope more business leaders as well as the general population learns from Mr. Gates.

If we all work together, hand in hand, side by side, we can change the world.

I would like to extend a great big southern thank you to Kemari Howell for her invaluable help in getting started again on the magazine. Without her, this site would not be possible. Her experience and kindness is an example to us all on how to show concern, care, and help to others.

As Emily and I work on this site, along with help from Kemari, I ask all of you to be patient. We will be making changes right and left until we get it just right. Any suggestions you may have are welcome. I won’t guarantee we will use all suggestions, but I can promise we take you seriously and listen.

Also, if you have suggestions on subjects you would like to read articles about, please let us know. You may email me at editor@itswhoiam.org, or Emily at emily@itswhoiam.org, or post a comment here.

Thank you so much for staying with us, not giving up, and understanding the difficulties I have faced and the effect they have had on the magazine. The last six months have been difficult for my family and for myself, but it is great to be coming back stronger and better than before, both professionally, and hopefully physically.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Tina