My favorite colleague and one of the brightest people I've ever met is a gay woman. When I needed advice or someone to bounce ideas off, she was my go-to person. Her partner is also a good friend and immensely capable. I count her as a friend also. Knowing them and really liking them has given me a perspective on people that I didn't have before. Gender really doesn't matter if someone is a truly good person. (What was funny was her partner referred to me as her "Work Husband" while giving me a hug.)