Houston elects first openly gay mayor
Steers n' Queers
Houston has become the largest US city to elect an openly gay
mayor.
Annise Parker, a Democrat and the current city controller, won
53.6% in the run-off election, beating former city attorney Gene
Locke, a Republican.
"The voters of Houston have opened the door to history," Ms
Parker told supporters following her victory.
Campaigning ahead of the hotly contested vote in the Texan city,
which has a population of 2.2 million people, was marked by anti-
gay rhetoric.
Anti-gay activists and conservative religious groups endorsed Mr
Locke and sent out leaflets to residents condemning Ms Parker's
"homosexual behaviour".
Meanwhile, gay and lesbian political organisations nationwide
countered by raising money for Ms Parker and urging people to
vote.
Mr Locke condemned the anti-gay attacks, but two of his key
supporters contributed money to a political action committee
that urged votes not to pick Ms Parker because she was endorsed
by the "gay and lesbian caucus".
"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," Ms Parker declared
after Saturday's run-off.
Ms Parker will face a $130m budget deficit when her term as
mayor begins in early January.
Houston is the fourth largest US city. Several smaller cities
already have openly gay mayors, including Portland, Oregon and
Providence, Rhode Island.
Dallas is next. Oh wait, they have the Cowboys.