As a cast member of Bravo TV's The Millionaire Matchmaker, I spend a good part of my days writing about love, giving dating advice and helping people find that special someone in their lives. I often refer to myself as a "Romance Enthusiast" as I find great happiness in seeing people coupled together, whether it's in movies or in real life. Last year, I even became ordained so I could experience the love of uniting a couple on their wedding day.
Recently though, some news came my way that broke my heart.
Last week I was saddened to hear that the Governor of Guam, the island where I grew up, is denying Gay Men and Women their legal right to marry, even after being issued a legal memorandum to do so from the Attorney General of Guam.
A few days later, the Archbishop of the island spoke out against same-sex marriages saying homosexuality is a "disorder" and "intrinsically moral evil."
I was speechless. I became obsessed with following the news. I watched a video of a young girl whose dad is gay and was affected by the way her father was feeling about the Governor's decision. She pleaded with the Governor to "do the right thing" because "I feel like he should be treated like the way other people are being treated."
I immediately began to tear up. This young girl was so wise beyond her age. How was she able to understand basic human compassion and equality, in a way that the adults around her did not?
I then read about Kathleen Aguero and Loretta Pangelinan, the couple that was denied a marriage application because they were lesbians. I instantly was getting flashbacks to the early beginnings of the Prop 8 days. Kathleen and Loretta have now filed a federal lawsuit against the Governor.
How was this happening all over again? Why did the Governor decide that it was in his power to pick and choose which laws he was going to enforce?
I was deeply compelled to voice my opinion about this matter, as I am not only a son of Guam having grown up on the island, but also as a gay man. I spend every moment of my life helping people find love. So I could not stand by and watch my own community of LGBT people, be discriminated against because of their quest for love.
I made this video to show my support for them and to rally all my friends, fans and anyone who would listen to take action today.
My hope is that everyone out there, who believes in equality and love, can join me in sending a message to the Governor of Guam. Urge him to allow all people, no matter what their sexual preference is, the freedom to marry.
Let's make love the reason why we move forward in history and not a wall that we build to keep people out.
The HRC has set up a page on their website to help everyone voice their support of Marriage Equality on Guam. Please click here: http://j.mp/GuamisReady