Posted on 12/13/2009 12:56:30 PM PST by myknowledge
The southern city of Houston has become the largest US metropolis to elect an openly gay mayor when Annise Parker, an open lesbian, claimed a solid victory over her rival.
"I know what this win means to many of us who thought we could never achieve high office," she said in her victory speech, at which she introduced her partner Kathy and their three children, according to the Houston Chronicle.
"I understand, because I feel it, too. But now, from this moment, let us join as one community," said Parker, 53.
According to local election data, Democrat Parker won about 53 percent of the vote and opponent Gene Locke, also a Democrat, took 47 percent.
The population of the Texas city is about 2.2 million.
Throughout her campaign, Parker enjoyed the support of gay and lesbian political organizations nationwide, though she did not make her sexual orientation a key issue in the campaign.
Several smaller US cities already have openly gay mayors, including Portland, Oregon; Providence, Rhode Island; and Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Parker has worked in the Houston city administration for the last 11 years -- first on the city council, and for the last five years as city controller.
She spent 20 years in the oil and gas industry before entering public service.
This is not a historical moment, but is rather more a hysterical moment. Kathy Whitmire elected as Mayor of Houston in the 90’s was a member of Houston’s LGB elitist league. The libs are just hysterical that they won something in the face of what they know is to come.
She apparently has been in city government for a long time and her opponent was black at a time when Obama’s popularity is in the dumps. I’m not claiming cause and effect but race probably did play a part.
It is remarkable to me as well how many people don't think gays/lesbians should be allowed to pursue gainful employment. I always witnessed the self-proclaimed "tolerant" leftist discriminating against Christians and conservatives in education, law and other fields. Hard to accept that on a freedom loving conservative forum we have people who are so disdainful. If she were a jihadi, that would be something to be concerned with. This mayor is a liberal. She will govern as a liberal just as a straight liberal would and the city will be as poorly run as Portland, LA, and SF.
I do not hate homosexuals, however I do not want ANYONE lacking moral clarity or integrity to be in positions of leadership. WHERE ARE THE LEADERS WITH INTEGRITY??
I don't live far from Austin myself. Or at least not far enough.
Politically, it is a blue city with an Obama-loving Mayor and an entire underclass of leftist students and illegal alien lovers.
I am not saying everyone who lives in Austin deserves to die. I'm only stating the fact that the majority of Austin dwellers is too liberal to fit within the Rebpulic of Texas.
I don’t hate homosexuals - but neither do I understand the impulse by many to indulge and celebrate, rather than cure, this particular form of mental disorder.
I don’t hate schizophrenics, either - but I’d question the motivations and good sense of anyone who promoted “Schizophrenic Pride” Parades or insisted that people should embrace the affliction as healthy and tolerable.
Hank
God does not hate them, He Hates their Sin. For us to vote for one of them is saying we like you, but will wink at your Sin and its Ok for you to be in charge. I think not.
The Lawyer and the Lesbian made the run off.
I lived in Houston. Houston is NOT liberal, at least compared to the Northeast.
Its certainly not the place for Conservatives that desire to only come in contact with people that live and think exactly like they do.
The main problem with Austin is it has way too many people here already, so please feel free to stay out.
Whoa. How could a city in one of America’s conservative southern states ever elect an open lesbian, Annise Parker, as mayor of Houston?
Haven’t been around Houston in say the last 10 years have you?
Conservatives who live in places ruled by liberals are forced to abide by liberal policies. You don't just "come in contact" with the liberals, they tell you how to live your life and have the authority to enforce their liberal laws.
Houston we have a problem
What laws are you speaking of?
I don't feel any more oppressed here in Austin than I do in any other city in America I have lived in or travelled to.
As is Houston ...
F the Haters
My understanding is that this woman has been involved and influential in city politics for many years, earned her stripes, so to speak, so her political credentials were more important than her lifestyle to voters. And she had an opponent who was even worse.
Keep in mind that there are pockets in every governmental jurisdiction that go against the norm. Inner city Houston isn’t the same demographically or politically as its suburbs or as the rest of the state.
Remember that Houston also gave us Sheila Jackson Lee. Enough said?
Why do you say that?
“Considering Ms. Parker’s oppenent was another flaming liberal, what difference would it have made had that person won?”
One difference: They wouldnt have been able to tout this ‘milestone’.
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