Houston, TX Elects Openly Gay Mayor!
Bravo, Houston!
The Texas city has just become the largest city in the United States to elect an openly gay mayor!
City Controller Annise Parker was elected by the people of Houston, even after conservatives and homophobic activists within the city set out on a smear campaign against Parker, mailing out flyers to voters, "condemning Parker's homosexual behavior."
Ick. Glad to know Houston's smarter than that!
Parker defeated her opponent, conservative Gene Locke, with over 53% of the votes!
"This election has changed the world for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community. Just as it is about transforming the lives of all Houstonians for the better, and that's what my administration will be about," said Mayor Parker after her win.
We're so proud!
[Image via WENN.]
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Is Lindsanity A Liar???
I thought it would be Green Bay since they love the Fudge Packers.
It's Houston… but you wrote Austin…
WHAT???texas,,,,damn times have really changed
Awesome!
She clearly was the most qualified. I like having lesbians as government leaders anyways. Theyre always honest and hard working, thats all I want in my government.
I'd elect a lesbian over anyone else ANYday.
It doesn't really surprise me… haven't there been gay mayors before?
Thank you for picking up the story!! But just FYI, the people of Austin cannot elect a Mayor for Houston!! You might want to correct that typo!! The people of Sacramento cannot elect a Mayor for L.A. can they?
Regardless it was a great night and is a great moment for our community, City and State.
Way to go Houston!
wow.. impressive Texas…. She must have REALLY deserved it to win in Texas as being openly gay
Houston or Austin ?
Wow, and my money would have been on Dallas taking over the state and electing mayors for other cities. Good for you, Austin.
Yes, it was the people of HOUSTON who elected Annise Parker. This should be an example to the rest of Texas and the Nation! Not only is she a personal friend and a wonderful mother, she is an inspiration to the GLBT and will make a a excellent leader!
Hank Hill doesn't approve. And just another inaccurate write up by your dim-witted sister. Austin/Houston. She probably couldn't find Texas on the map anyway.
Annise Parker is the Mayor-Elect of Houston, not Austin, so the people of Austin would have no say in here election to office. Also, she won with less than 53% of the votes, not more than. She beat out candidate Gene Locke with 52.8% of the votes.
I'd say 98.8% of officials in government are corrupt and/ or are stuck on playing the game of politics that they become easily confused for corrupt. If someone belongs in the other 1.2%, I don't care if she/he is blue, green, black, yellow, brown, white, gay, straight, or transgender… she/he would have my vote. Congratulations to Mayor Parker!
I just know the homophobes that come here will spout their BS!
I think this is a great story! Congratulations to this lady!
"Austin" Uh? Austin is over 2 hours away and not even close to the name Houston. Get your facts right. I don't know how she's gonna be for a mayor, I hope she'll make Houston a safer place. I'm gonna miss Bill White.
Go Houston!
The largest U.S. city to ever elect an openly gay mayor. Impressive.
Gives a beacon of hope towards equality.
Re: Julie Newmar – Houston.
Despite Texas being mostly Republican, Houston is predominantly Democratic with a population of around 2.2 million. However, for this run-off election, only 152,000 voted. Parker got 54% of those votes. A win is a win; but the voter turn-out was pathetic.
Even before I found out she was gay I thought she would be a better candidate. I didn't vote for that race because I don't live in Houston rather nearby so I heard all the drama surrounding the race. It was actually no surprise finding out she had actually won the race.
out of 2.2 million people only 152,000 came out to vote. i wouldnt say this is a win to be super excited about. obviously no one cares.
And it's times like this when I'm more than happy to say that I live in Houston. (:
GENE LOCK IS NOT A CONSERVATIVE. Both were democrats running against each other, in the end, it was just a personality contest. Go HOUSTON!@@@!@@@@@@ I took part in the historical vote yesterday.
Houston… we DON'T have a problem. Right on!
I live in Houston and yes this is great but there is still a ton of redneck republicans that are running loose!
Re: Sexsai – "Always" honest and hard working? You can't say that about every single one. She does look like a better leader then Gene Locke though, but looks can be deciving… we'll just have to see how things go later down the road, huh?
Re: Carlotta Tendant – I know. People who haven't been to Houston obviously don't know how diverse of a culture it has. It's really not that much of a surprise, because like I said, we have a diverse amount of cultures. The town where I live in outside of Houston, is Republican all the way. I'd say only 1/3 or 1/4 are Democrates. For someone like her to be mayor where I live, would be a surprise, but for Houston, it's not really.
Good for them
BRAVO, Houston!!
So, why is this "news"?
Dude, she's the COMPtroller….
My sister and I have decided to be gay. We love gays.
Love it!
I am from Houston and voted for Annise Parker…I am very proud to be from Houston, Texas today!!!!
Hate to burst your bubble, but as a Houstonian it didn't even matter. She is a fiscal conservative as well as conservative in other social issues. She has done a good job in her former position. In fact, she had the Republican vote. Also, for you uneducated people out there, Texas has many gay politicians. However, we don't put that much on if they are gay or straight. What matters is if they are able to do the job.
Yawn. Thats like congratulating a serial killer for not beating someone to death on that particular day. Down here we've had openly transsexual members of parliment etc tranny mayors, out gay MPs, for like, a decade. Everywhere else the in the developed world, its no big deal. So er yeah, congrats for that, I guess???
Lmao, City Controller. You are one stupid illiterate fuck. Look up the word comptroller.
The only people who seem to care about her sexuality is gays themselves. Who cares?
im a conservative from houston and i voted for her.
just because you are a conservative does NOT mean you are a bigot, homophobe, or whatever.
just means i dont like to spend money, and neither does ms.parker.
i know that i wasnt able to vote but i was so happy when i found out she won. my brother looked at me like i was stupid but i told you know this could do to houston! this makes just so much better:) i'm not gay but i am totally for gay pride and i hate it so much when people bring god and the bible into the situation if god didnt want this he wouldnt have let anise win. well thats all i ahev to say and just know that htown loves you perez! nosotros queiremos mucho! te amo:)
That's great! I hope her first order of business is to pass a law forcing ABC to become the 24/7 Adam Lambert network.
Congrats to Annise Parker. Houston always was a great city.
Re: urdumb – Perhaps they care because people have been ridiculed, tortured, imprisoned, harassed, beaten, dehumanized and even killed for being gay. Perhaps when these violent and ignorant acts are no longer, then we can ask why people even care of one's sexual orientation. Until then I completely understand why this is news. When you belong to a majority you are ignorant to the struggles of the minority and can easily overlook a great accomplishment.
I'm so glad you wrote about this Perez! When I heard that Parker won I came straight on here to see if you wrote about it and you did!!
That's my city!
Yay for Annise! She's gonna do some great stuff for the city, I see it already. 
Thank you Perez for finally posting. I'm a bit sad you've spent so much time over the weeks promoting Lambert, when I think you should have written about Annise.
Ha Ha and congratulations, Houston!! Look out for the rabid evangelicals
So damn proud to be a Houstonian!!!
Re: MarleyRai – You are so right, and said it perfectly. Much respect
yay im so happy im from houston, and i wanted her to win so bad!
Hey dumbass Perez…who never checks his facts. The guy she ran against is not a conservative but another democrat.
Congrats Mayor Annise Parker!
Congrats Houston Texas!!
This is HUGE!!
yay we have beyonce and now annise go houston woooooooop
I'm from Houston, I voted for her, and I'm very very very proud. I hope Bill White wins the election for governor!! He was an amazing Mayor and more than qualified! Let's get to voting, Texas!
Actually Perez Gene Locke is a democrat. There were 2 democrats running for mayor during the run-off. Of the two, Parker is conservative fiscally.
breakout the u-haul we're moving to texas
Yay Houston!!!!! =)
being a Houstonian, not that surprising. :] still makes me happy
What the hell. I'm from Houston and NOWHERE did I see any sort of smear campaign against her from conservatives. She was the clear favorite and most Republicans voted for her because she can do the job.
Anything to make Republicans look evil.
YAY! good job, Houston!
Im in houston i think its cool, sex prefrence shouldnt matter unless it becomes the main focus but i think she will do good..and fudge packers are not gay women "honk if you hate perez" haha fuckin idiot
Re: i rule and you suck – Uhhhm, there was definitely a smear campaign. 35,000 voters recieved messages telling them not to vote for her because of her homosexual ways.
Texas is still the azzcrack of America!
i live in a suburb outside of h-town(sugar land) and we are very proud and excited here!!! being in a conservative state our city has always been pretty dang liberal. unlike sugar land texas which is a ridiculously lame conservative hub! team parker!!!!! just one more milestone towards equality!!!
I am super stoked.. Im from Houston and I am very excited… then hopefully gay couples can marry in our city.. that would awesome… right..?!?!?!
I am stoked… Im from Houston and super excited.. so hopefully now gay couples can marry in our city… how cool right?
I hope you are proud because she would be a great mayor. And not just because she is a lesbian.
Gene Locke ran as a Democrat he isn't a conservative. He just apparently doesn't like gay people.
Congratulations Ms Parker!
i sure as hell did not vote gor her
wtf…hah now everyone is gay right? what's the big deal? why is this in the news? I swear I want that stupid lady off of my tv already, she makes me sick.
Out of 2.5 million people in America's 4th largest city, only 30% are white. So I doubt the Mexican population showed up to vote. I live there for 20 years and know Parker is not the first gay mayor. We had one in the 70' and one in the 80's. They can now claim title to "Carpet City."
Perez, do you think maybe she was elected because people believed in her and not because she was gay? Why do you belittle her accomplishments or her strengths and boil it down to the fact that she is gay? Big fucking deal on the gay thing. Big real deal on the fact that she may be a person who can do some good for more than just the likes of you. Godspeed on your journey Mayor Elect Parker. May you do good for all of humanity!
Being from Houston, I am glad to have her as our Mayor. And just to let you know. Gene Locke was more liberal than Annise Parker! He was not a conservative by any means!
Well, she'll be mayor. Any policy she tries to pass, though, that relates to homosexuals, will never, ever, pass.
FUCK YEAH
Representing H-Town!!! Fuck yeah our mayor's gay, now what Obama??!!!! And this is just in time too, I just turned 18 and im moving out soon. Houston's gonna be a better place now!
PS: Gene Locke's a democrat Perez. Sheesh do your homework dumbass.
Re: laurencroft –
me too bb!!
Re: urdumb –
yes thats why i got calls from conservatives telling me not to vote for her simply because she was gay. I mean obviously it was gay conservative on the other side of the phone telling me not to vote for that homo. *rolls eyes*
Good for them!!! hopefully a positive turn for this country!! xoxoxoxooxoxo
Annise rocks! We in houdton look forward to her plan of fiscal resopnsibility. freedom for the poeple, less government and greater personal freedom.
Gay has nothing to do with the election. she ran on the platform of fiscal responsibility. Ohh rah
woo hoo…I voted for her TWICE, and I am so extremely proud of my hometown right now!!
Texas is looking better than New York more and more.
WOW.. I thought all of Texas was creepy people….. Nice to see Texas has a heart! BRAVO TEXAS!!
sorry to burst your bubble, but this is no change for the "world" but its a good step for the united states of america…finally
YES,WE DIDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.LOVE ITTTTTTTTTTTT!
But you know — who cares! If she's qualified, does liking a double headed dildo make her more or less qualified? No. Just keep the private stuff private and do a good job.
Who gives a rat's ass if she's gay or not. The question for all politicians is can you do the job ! Next thing you know you'll be talking about openly gay bathroom attendants or server's at McDonalds . Gimme a break !
I would totally like to say that I helped
Gene Locke is a DEMOCRAT. He is not a conservative, and he is the one that went on the homophobic smear campaign against her. I live in Houston, and am a republican, but I voted for Annise Parker in the run-off because she was a better candidate than that crooked lawyer Locke. GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT AND STOP BLAMING REPUBLICANS FOR EVERYTHING.
Who cares if they are gay…..The question is "is she the right person for the job"…..Isn't that what matters?????
I live in Houston.. I'm glad she won. However I want her to known for what she can do for us, not for just being "Gay"
Someone once said, "As long as the blackness of a black mayor or astronaut is newsworthy, there will be racism." Same for homophobia. I'm glad she won, I'm glad she's gay, it's another step toward us as humans seeing her as a politician, not a lesbian. Her gayness doesn't define her as a person, not a requirement or a detriment to her job. She has a lovely family and is a lovely woman. Here's to hoping she does a great job so she can shove all that homophobic crap down her enemies throats.
Re: Low – You obviously know nothing about Texas and the people who live here. The range of diversity of race, nationality and lifestyle is immense. West Texas is different from East Texas as Austin is different from Dallas as Houston is different from all of them. Annise Parker being elected was not as far fetched as you seem to think it was and that is because you don't really know Texas and it's people.
Um why do we care what her sexual orientation is? I wish that could just be a non-issue. I have nothing against gays, I am just tired of hearing "gay" as an adjective in front of so many positions (i.e. gay bishop, gay mayor, etc.).
@ Justme09,What you me What?Texas?do your research next time,Houston is the most diverse place in the South,this is the last place a racist would wanna live.As long as she don't try to put gay marriage on the table,i'll be fine with her in offivr
that's really good
Yay Houston. See we love gay people here. Now bring Your gay ass over here to Houston for a book signing too!