Outlook 2020: 'Meet them with the love and respect that everybody deserves'

Paula Sophia Schonauer was once “Paul,” an Oklahoma City police sergeant, father of two and a decorated military veteran who fought for his country.

In the many years since Paul became Paula, she has fought for LGBTQ rights and inclusivity.

Her life, she says, is informed by her faith.

“I do the best of my ability to treat people like they were Jesus, or to meet them with the love and respect that everybody deserves,” Schonauer said.

Schonauer hopes women will one day take leadership roles in society, not because they are recruited into those roles, but because they are more assertive and have a genuine desire to shoulder the responsibility.

“By the end of the 21st century, I hope that it’s not a big deal for women to have been president or that we’ve had at least a dozen women as prominent leaders of our country who really have vision and who can help our country be great in a way that we set the standard for community and living with diversity and a green economy,” she said.