Annise Parker: Houston Voters May Elect Openly Gay Mayor

HOUSTON — Annise Parker has an unbeatable lead over Gene Locke in Houston's hotly contested mayoral election, meaning she will become the city's first openly gay mayor.

The Harris County elections Web site says 53.62 percent of voters who turned out Saturday chose Parker.

Her rival, former city attorney Gene Locke, was pitching to become the city's second black mayor.

The election battle leading up to Saturday's balloting was marked by fierce campaigning and anti-gay rhetoric. Parker is a lesbian who has never made a secret or issue of her sexual orientation. If she wins, Houston will become the largest U.S. city to ever have an openly gay mayor.

___

Information from: Houston Chronicle, http://www.houstonchronicle.com

Comments

[Onedog]

10:11 AM on 12/13/2009

Liberation in Texas has started.

[Anonani]

06:01 AM on 12/13/2009

As I read these postings, it really reminds me of Mr. Obama's quandary. There were those only concerned about his race, and tried to marginalize his campaign as one to be looked at ONLY through the lens of race. While his plan and his intent was to be the President of the United States and to have that decision one based upon whether or not he was the best qualified candidate. Sounds as if Ms. Parker, no less, was drawn into a situation where her sexual orientation became the cause de celebre to consider rather than her competency. In the end, like with our President, the voters of Houston spoke. So, for all of the bashing by both sides, the voting public of Houston voted for the mayor that they believed would serve their city best. Hoorah for the Houston Texas voters!

[ChelseaC]

02:13 AM on 12/13/2009

Best Wishes Ms. Parker.

[PhilipB]

01:23 AM on 12/13/2009

The most important thing for someone in public office is the desire to actually help the community that they represent.
Somehow, this was lost, and has been lost for a long time.
frankly, the people of Houston will be well served by a person who is capable, no matter if they are a man or a woman, black or white , gay, or whatever the silly labels we need to quanity human beings. This is a capable person, who is eloquent in her statements for her community.
The anti-gay lobby is worthy of clear headed examination and censure if they would only attack someone because they are gay.
This unreasonable hate must be allowed to stand.

[Liberal Angel]

12:55 AM on 12/13/2009

Hallelujah!!! We got a win for once!!!

[RainbowPhoenix]

12:39 AM on 12/13/2009

But I bet most of the city still doesn't think she should get married. Oh well. Progress is progress. Congratulations Madame Mayor.

[PDinCA]

12:46 AM on 12/13/2009

Having visible, and visibly "normal" gay people helps people get over their fears of the "other."

[dct1999]

12:27 AM on 12/13/2009

Congratulations to Ms. Parker and the people of Houston.

[ez duz it]

12:33 AM on 12/13/2009

Well said, dct1999! I second your motion!

[slowhand0728]

12:22 AM on 12/13/2009

Houston is still a part of Texas right? Arent they the ones so many were encouraging to secede from the union? Now we LOVE TEXAS!

[PDinCA]

12:25 AM on 12/13/2009

Texas has islands of sanity.

[Margaretpoa]

12:28 AM on 12/13/2009

Austin comes to mind

[unhhockey]

12:21 AM on 12/13/2009

Talibangelicals = Epic Fail

[JackNasty]

12:06 AM on 12/13/2009

Congratulations to Houston: you've selected the best candidate!

[IndolentFlourish]

12:06 AM on 12/13/2009

I am astonished. Congratulations to Ms Parker. Godspeed to the citizens of the great city of Houston.

[Alphamailman]

12:09 AM on 12/13/2009

Much appreciated. Dancing in the streets of Montrose!

A great day.

A great day.

[MomfromTexas]

12:39 AM on 12/13/2009

Dance on!

[SonyaInTx]

12:04 AM on 12/13/2009

Let's go Rice.....Let's go Rice..... :)

[UncleJimbo]

12:11 AM on 12/13/2009

But not Condi!!!

[SonyaInTx]

12:39 AM on 12/13/2009

The university.....not the person.... :)

[T Pol]

12:02 AM on 12/13/2009

Very, very nice. Does my Texas-born heart good!

[cjk002]

11:59 PM on 12/12/2009

And the winner for most ridiculous right-wing excuse for Parker's victory... The illegals did it!

http://blogs.chron.com/houstonpolitics/2009/12/parker_wins_it.html

As if illegal immigrants are so determined to elect a lesbian mayor that they would risk deportation to fraudulently vote. This is even more ridiculous than them believing that ACORN stole the election for Obama, when he won by 10 million votes and ACORN only registered 1 million people...

[Margaretpoa]

12:00 AM on 12/13/2009

Because illegal immigrants are such huge fans of gay people.

[cjk002]

12:04 AM on 12/13/2009

It's just more proof that there isn't much rational thought behind bigotry.

[Margaretpoa]

11:59 PM on 12/12/2009

Well I'm always [roud to be a Texan. It's easy when you realize that Bush is a carpetbagger.

[lasublime]

01:20 AM on 12/13/2009

Carpetbagger indeee. People seem to forget that. Thanks