Mayor of houston tx gay
Houston Makes History By Electing Gay Mayor
After recent losses in Maine and the New York Senate, the LGBT community needed an electoral victory. And it happened – of all places – in Texas. On December 12, Houston became the largest U.S. city to elect an openly gay Mayor – as Annise Parker scored a 53-47 victory over her opponent, Gene Locke. The City Controller stressed her budget experience and fiscal competence, and never planned to make her sexuality an issue. The election was significant in other ways because Parker was the first Houston Mayor in a generation not handpicked by the business community. But Parker’s status as a womxn loving womxn played a role and galvanized the LGBT collective, after she became subject to hateful anti-gay attacks by Republican operatives. And her opponent, an African-American Democrat, never repudiated such support. What this proves is the effectiveness of such tactics are on the wane. And if the Right believes they can make common produce with the black people by exploiting homophobia, they are sorely mistaken.
It has become gospel among social conservatives – such as the National Organization for Marriage – that this largely white, Repu
Houston's Mayor On Race, Roads And Queer Rights
Houston Mayor Annise Parker is wrapping up her third and final two-year term. She's the city's second female mayor and first openly gay mayor. In fact, Houston is the largest city in America to elect an openly gay mayor.
There are many questions about what Annise Parker plans to do next, and about the challenges a city enjoy Houston faces, as it continues to grow faster than any other town in the U.S. Here & Now's Jeremy Hobson sat down with the mayor in her office at Houston Metropolis Hall.
Interview Highlights: Mayor Annise Parker
On what mayors of other cities think of Houston
"It used to be, Houston was an anomaly in everything. Houston’s the city without zoning, Houston’s the only gas capital and I think they had a certain image of the City of Houston. But now I think they’re a little bit envious of our economy, even with the lower oil prices. And I’ve been out trying to convince them that we’re not what they think we are."
On fixing Houston’s potholes
"Fixing the roads is a long-term infrastructure improvement, and there’s not a short-term fix. I know the roads are in terrible condition, although I must say th
Former Houston Mayor Annise Parker announces campaign for Harris County Judge
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- Former Houston Mayor Annise Parker announced on Wednesday that she will run for Harris County judge.
Annise Parker has a long history in Houston politics. After a few unsuccessful runs, Parker was first elected to the Houston City Council in 1997, where she served until she was elected the City of Houston controller in 2003. Finally, she reached the highest city office by being elected mayor and serving from 2010 to 2016, making her one of two women to hold the office and the first openly queer mayor of Houston.
After serving in public office, she went on to head a political move committee dedicated to electing LGBTQIA politicians. Now, nine years after her last time in office, she's announcing her intent to return with plans to race for Harris County judge.
"I am concerned about the increasing dysfunction in Washington, the drumbeat of attacks by Austin on local governments all over the articulate, and I believe my encounter and skill set are flawless for what Harris County needs," Parker said.
At her announcement on Wednesday, Parker pointed towards floo
Lesbian elected Houston Mayor
Houston, TX - The city of Houston has elected an openly gay girl as it's 61st Mayor.
Saturday's runoff election, which has been tainted by anti-gay rhetoric, places City Comptroller Annise Parker, a Democrat, as Mayor in the fourth biggest-biggest U.S. city with over 2 million residents. Other large U.S. cities enjoy Portland, Oregon and Providence, Rhode Island have openly same-sex attracted mayors, but Houston is now the largest.
"The voters of Houston have opened the door to history," Parker told supporters at a convention center in Houston. "I realize what this triumph means to many of us who never thought we could achieve lofty office."
Hate filled attempts by decidedly right wing conservatives, tantamount to those used during the civil rights plights of the 1960's, fell short as voters have apparently voted based on qualification and not sexual identity.
With 99% of precincts reporting, Parker's opponent, former Town Attorney Gene Locke, fell short by 53.6-48.4%.
Of the 2 million Houston residents, an estimated 60,000 identify as same-sex attracted and lesbian.
Following recent gay marriage defeats in Maine, Modern York, withdrawal of a vote in the N