Houston elects first openly gay mayor
Via The Associated Press:
HOUSTON — Annise Parker made history Saturday by becoming Houston's first openly gay mayor, seizing 53.6 percent of the vote in the city's hotly contested election.
"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," Parker told supporters after former city attorney Gene Locke conceded defeat.
Of the more than 152,000 residents who turned out to cast ballots in the fourth largest U.S. city Saturday, 81,652 chose Parker — some 11,000 votes more than were placed for Locke.
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 an issue of her sexual orientation. But that orientation became focus of the race after anti-gay activists and conservative religious groups endorsed the 61-year-old Locke and sent out mailers condemning Parker's "homosexual behavior."
(AP) Houston Mayor-elect Annise Parker, right, celebrates her runoff election victory with partner Kathy Hubbard, left, at a campaign party Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009 in Houston. Parker defeated former city attorney Gene Locke making Houston the largest U.S. city to elect an openly gay mayor.
I hope some redneck doesn't drag her behind a car. They do that down there.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27365080/
That was eleven years ago. Instead of praising what is a landmark victory, you're bringing up history that's not relevant to the historic moment.
They choke people to death in Boston. Remember the Boston Strangler? WTF.
Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty.
Thomas Jefferson
come a day when being GLBT will not limit what a person can do with their life in any way! :)
"The greatest tyranny is censoring information in order to be better able to control people." - Cristina Saralegui
if a black man with a muslim name can become the president of the u.s., anything is possible.
months have been a great revelator of the possibilies. It's been thrilling as a bisexual, mixed-race Latina. Watching Hillary get so close to the nomination, watching Obama get the nomination and the presidency, watching Sonia Sotomayor be nominated for the Supreme Court and being confirmed, and now this! :D
"The greatest tyranny is censoring information in order to be better able to control people." - Cristina Saralegui
I'm guessing she's Christian. If she were a black Atheist lesbian? Hooboy. That'd be a hangin.
I'll bet the GOP right wingers wish they had stuck to the issues now.
This just means that most voters don't care if pols like David Vitter sleep with hookers or if the mayor of Houston is gay.
equivicate sleeping with a hooker to being gay?
Two consenting adults are usually involved in those things.
One is not.
Let me guess: being gay is the crime?
his nick was not a big enough of a hint?
There has not been a right winger in the mayor's office in decades in H-town.
So what?
We've already had our first gay president
http://www.hermes-press.com/bush_kiss.jpg
Also into bestiality:
http://static.open.salon.com/files/bush_turke...
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
Why in the world would you mention bestiality when discussing the first gay mayor of a major city? Why would you attempt to tie the two together?
Nevermind - I know the answer. Just sad that, in 2009, people are still this ignorant.
that was my initial reaction too, that, why do people think bestiality after they hear the word gay. i realize a lot of people have been brainwashed successfully into making this conclusion but ysbaddaden (i hope) was being snarky and sarcastic in drawing this conclusion
not Annise Parker.
Nowhere in ysb's post did he "attempt to tie the two together". He didn't even discuss "the first gay mayor of a major city" anywhere in his comment.
You need to brush up on your reading skills.
How did he get the nickname bunnypants? I remember his flight suit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZTZ_lxvBes
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
:)
come out with strap on stories and other frightening imagery and such to get a recall vote going at some point.
Somewhere, probably in a cheap motel doing a porn shoot, Carrie PreJean is crying.
your imagery is as funny as it is brutal... glad to know I ain't the only one with a f*cked up sense of humor.
He's a bad influence for all of us.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RAQXg0IdfI
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
That's why we lurv ya, ysb!
I'm happy for you.
"Just as it is about transforming the lives of all Houstonians for the better" . .
Probably half of Houston is going to translate that as "she's going to force everyone into homosexual training-transformation camps!!"
No doubt!
Run!!! LOL
*
"The greatest tyranny is censoring information in order to be better able to control people." - Cristina Saralegui
They'd all be "Fabulous, dahling"!
;)
:D
"The greatest tyranny is censoring information in order to be better able to control people." - Cristina Saralegui
Or fierce!
just be bitchier.
are not so unusual. It's the openly gay mayor that is new. Spokane, Wa had a gay mayor and probably pedophile, but voters just didn't know it until the towards the end of his term.
candidate could truly be themselves, and that's exciting! :)
"The greatest tyranny is censoring information in order to be better able to control people." - Cristina Saralegui
is a major breakthrough. LOL political correctness ya know!
At least she's not lying about who and what she is. That's refreshing for a politician. Very refreshing.
Harvey Milk? Anyway, I understand the excitement as I am too. I wish her the best of luck because Houston needs all the help it can get with all that corrupt oil money flying around down there.
She is a mayor who happens to be gay, not a gay mayor.
mean to split hairs or anything, but this is the first time someone who was openly GLBT was elected to be mayor of a major city. It's too bad it wasn't Harvey though.
And yes, I hear ya, she's a mayor who happens to be gay, not the other way around.
"The greatest tyranny is censoring information in order to be better able to control people." - Cristina Saralegui
yep - you are correct about Harvey.
While it is the largest city that has elected an openly gay mayor, it's not really the only major one, Providence state capital of RI, Portland OR in the top 30 most populated cities, Cambridge MA
I've always said there are some nice progressive folks in Texas.
Who would have ever thought this could be the first and in Houston!
"Houston, we've solved a problem"
"I know that there are people who do not love their fellow
man, and I hate people like that! " ~ Tom Lehrer (1928 - )
:)
"The greatest tyranny is censoring information in order to be better able to control people." - Cristina Saralegui
the only and highest goal a human can strive for. If she can do a good job mastering the city's business more power to her.
It's not a "preference" Nimrod. I didn't choose anything.
I always ask heterosexual people when did they choose to be straight? I usually get a confused look and response BUT I didn't.
My point exactly.
they're called 'closeted.' That's why they accuse others of having made a choice (not to lie, essentially).
In this day and age, the fact that sex between consenting adults is someone else's issue confounds me.
me-oww!
they are "choosing" to be in the closet, not "choosing" their sexuality.
One can and should have the right to be in the closet, unless they are active hypocrties about it. Then it's a different ball game, so to speak.
Those deluded dumbshits think they've chosen 'straight' and that's where the big problem lies with the shock, horror and ick factor driving the anti gay shit. I am of the mind that those that hate gay the most and find it to be a choice are self-loathing closet cases. I have felt that my entire life, as long as I've known there was some kind of difference.
And yes, people have the right to choose the closet, but I think it would be a much emptier closet if these finger pointing assholes were laughed out of existence, and queer or straight made no difference in society, the way it should be.
me-oww!
In my experience, men that are secure within themselves and with their sexuality are rarely gay bashers. Then there are the rest.
I don't know as well about women, but it's probably the same.
far left loon >.<
I came out young (20) for those days, but as I recall, MM sex was very exciting when I was in the closet!! So forbidden and dangerous.
I wasn't a hypocrite, just confused.
far left loon >.<
The main thing is;
The homophobes can't "out" her and smear her.
THAT alone will mean she will be able to get more done.
Her sexuality will have no more effect on her office than it would a hetero but she can avoid wasting time with the h8trs.
"I know that there are people who do not love their fellow
man, and I hate people like that! " ~ Tom Lehrer (1928 - )
of her offices by the Phelps Family. LOL . . placing bets now.
LOL . . didn't she start the "Lesbian Scare" thing in the world of Wingnuttia?
Amazing that it happened in Houston. Hopefully this is a face of a changing Texas. (I can wish, can't I?)
a 1000 year old giant sequoia once started out as a tiny seed.
Maybe in a thousand years sexual preference won't even get a second thought. Peace will break out on all sides . . hopefully . . maybe
You'll realize it is NOT a "preference". And it's insulting to say it is.
So how about orientation?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEmJ-VWPDM4
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
just...sexuality?
Orientation to me always seemed to imply something was being taught.
Sexuality makes it sound it's all about sex.
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
though. It's basically the only difference between gays and the heteros, is the gender we are attracted to. Well, that, and good taste, and an enormous flair for the theater.
And the frustration with labels since anyone can possibly take offense at anything.
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
Although, a more pessimistic view is that this was a race between two democrats and the repubs in Houston didn't show up to vote.
were backing Annise as she is more fiscally conservative, and has a proven track record. But it was a run-off, a low turnout and the weather was bad that day.
yet you never hear wingnuttia screaming and hollering and protesting about that.
LOL
saving Houston from economic collapse that's what most mayors are hired for these days anyway.
have never been to and know nothing about Houston, as a native, let me educate you. Houston has pretty much for a while now been a very Dem city, leaning conservaDem, but Dem never the less. When Kathy Whitmire (1st female mayor) ran against bigot Louis Welch back in the 80s, she won big, after Louis' "shoot the Queers" remark on live TV. (I happened to be working on that show when it happened). The city has a large pride parade every year, and it has been very accepted. I worked with Annise during the 80s also when she was starting out, she's very nice. The main point is that while Houston is moderate, Annise picked a good time to run. No white male Republican of any standing was running, so the Rethugs here had to wet their pants, or vote for a black Dem. And we all know how they feel about black Dems now, don't we?
All in all, Annise was the best choice and she'll be great, and hopefully move to better things. At least we can hold this over the queens in Dallas.
is it's HUGE and easy to get lost. LOL . . how do I get out of here!!
We didn't have GPS and talking maps during my on the road days.
But Houston, is basically Los Angeles, with no beach, ocean, scenery or anything remotely interesting to do. The sprawl, the humidity, the heat and the traffic are pretty much the same.
And we get Hurricanes instead of Earthquakes/Fires.
wonder how they are taking the news.
They're praying right now...maybe they won't notice.
Church, and gay parishoners: Joel Osteen: Gays are NOT God's best
:(
The screwed up thing is that Joel Osteen is known as the "nice guy" amongst evangelical leaders, so positive and stuff. But only if you're straight.
"The greatest tyranny is censoring information in order to be better able to control people." - Cristina Saralegui
he's closeted.
*
"The greatest tyranny is censoring information in order to be better able to control people." - Cristina Saralegui
It's all part of my "The lady doth protest too much, methinks" theory of gay bashing.
me-oww!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rNfZxgkH7k)O(
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
hell fire and damnation. Now lets get rid of those SVCUM BAG republican senators you know hutchinson and corriynn that ONLY vote Party lines.
This is a slap in the face for the clowns that are on their knees praying hahahaha! let the good times roll. Please setup traps for the good folks from Jasper TX. they are the ones that like to drag people behind their car or truck and then the Nazi gestapo will call it Suicide.
Houston used to be a REALLY MESSED UP CITY... but Bill Wright brought some common sense city management during his two terms as Mayor... and he is now running against Perry and K. Bailey H. for Governor. Houston seems to be getting their ACT together. And they say here that AUSTIN is weird because it's so LIBRUL!
Litsen up TEXAS... WE're GONNA GETCHA!
As a resident, I was proud that Houston supported Barack Obama and now I'm proud again that we chose Annise Parker. She's always done a fine job as a Councilwoman and Comtroller and I know she'll be a fine mayor.
Props to Bill White too. I'll be supporting his run for Governor of Texas.
isn't it nice to know the Bush cabal is long gone?
The travesty would have been for Locke, or anyone else, to have won this election. When all was said and done, Annise Parker was without a doubt the outstanding candidate. And simply incidentally, I hope her victory hastens the long overdue day when a persons life orientation is not something to be bandied about as a perceived liability by opportunistic bigots and other small people.
Houston pride should be shining bright tonight. Now if the top 3 cities can prove themselves as progressive, the country will finally be in position to lead into the 21st century. A new decade will be starting soon and Houston is leading the way. Who knew?
Is it the 21st century yet?
Annise Parker is a kind, intelligent, observant, and hard-working person. I went to school with her, and have held her in high regard since we were very young. I am thrilled she is our new mayor!
Her victory, and progressive milestones like it, give me hope that our species will be able to evolve beyond the fear, hate, and greed that challenge us at every turn...
Those of you making comments about Houston being a redneck back water are pissing me off. Houston is the 4th largest city in the country. Look at maps for the last national elections. Houston is ALWAYS blue. We haven't had a conservative mayor in decades.
Houston has a Theater District second only to New York City in terms of number of seats. Houston is home to the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical center in the world, with a local economic impact of $10 billion. If Houston were an independent nation, it would rank as the world's 30th largest economy. The Port of Houston ranks first in the United States in international waterborne tonnage handled and second in total cargo tonnage handled. Houston is one of the best cities in the country for dining out. I have been to a lot of US cities and have seen the lovely set of chain restaurants you have to choose from. You would be green with envy if you knew what we had here. Sure the summers are terrible but the forecast for this weekend is sunny high of 56. Stop talking shit about my city.
Did I read that right? Out of a population of more than 2 MILLION, only 152,000 people turned out for a "hotly contested" mayoral election? I think we may be missing the bigger story here, kids.
The view is different, on your death bed. You will
Learn to respect other people, as who they are.
They may be different, correct?
Mind your own business, because as long as they make each other happy? It should not be anybodys business, but their own.
Learn how to respect this lady as how she is.
I do know for a fact, that many of you will dispise this,
but as long as they are happy together?
please leave them alone, and let them be, it is none of your business.
Why is a gay/lesbian mayor bad for Houston? If an individual is willing to participate in a behavior that their Creator has deemed "detestable" and this individual is willing to ignore the moral law clearly written on/in their heart...what makes you think they will not ignore other ethical and moral tenets governed by the conscience? We live in a post-modern society where everyone does what is right in their own eyes...moral relativism is the god of this hedonistic society in which we exist...Houston has certainly elected the mayor it deserves. It is Scriptural therefore truthful that Sovereignty precedes the placement of an individual in a position of authority...Mayor Parker is no different. Our Creator's heart is broken but He, in His long suffering, has given us the "king" we deserve. May my God have mercy on you Houston. RickeyD
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