Houston Elects Annise Parker

Well for the writer from that city to north of Houston (suspiciously close to Oklahoma). True, both candidates were democrats however, the anti-gay mailings were produced and promoted by a republican as were the majority of Locke's mayor campaign contributors

She ran against another democrat. But, city elections in Texas are non-partisan. There is no party machinery at the city level. We usually know the party affiliation of the candidate, but the political parties have no role in the campaign. County elections are partisan, so the party machinery comes through the county. Her opponent is generally seen as corrupt. And there were plenty of conservatives who supported her. The City of Houston does not offer domestic partner benefits and she has indicated she has no plans to change that. Houston also has no gay rights ordinance of any kind.

Sean, I think you are ignoring the countless republicans and conservatives from average people to elected leaders who endorsed, made calls, sent mailers, and voted for Parker. Also, the polls showed that Parker's sexual orientation was not a factor (positive or negative!) to voters and that Parker had low unfavorables. Don't be blinded by one particular ignorant man and a handful of other vocal people who have negligible political sway anyways.

Congratulations to Mayor Parker and the city of Houston! I was sorely disappointed in my state when Prop 2 passed a few years ago- but I feel that this great state is making good progress! I'm proud of my fellow Texans who helped elect Mayor Parker~ let's keep moving forward, shall we? Cheers!

Hey Jay, So the only people that slandered her were black pastors? What about the overwhelmingly white religious conservatives in that city that funded a very expensive campaign to slander her nomination? It's pretty sad some of you on here consistently try to accuse black people for being homophobic and giving others a pass. It's a consistent narrative that the Advocate promotes as well. A local Black Newspaper actually endorsed Parker http://www.aframnews.com/ and I know for a fact many of my black friends back in Houston supported her. So get of this racist labeling about how people their voted.

There have been gays on city council here. Matter of fact, one was just reelected on Saturday as well. Parkers win shows that even with the hate mail Houstonians still voted for Parker...unswayed. Even in cities like NYC and LA...I think it would be harder for a gay person to win especially after the nations right-wing pundits come attacking. On the other hand Houston may be progressive, but once you leave city limits don't expect all of Texas to feel just the same.

Now I know why- having been born and raised in California myself- my mother was so proud to have been born a Texan. She always told us, as we had to say "mam" and we ate our grits- in the California sun..ha- that through that tough exterior, Texans have real hearts of gold. God bless the people of Houston and Congratulations Mayor Annise Parker... My partner and I just might pack our bags and come join you. : )

For sure this morning in church I'll be announcing this decision in our "joys and sorrows" announcement from the pulpit. Yes, we STILL can.

Sorry Sean but both candidate were Democrats.

Congratulations. Everyone needs to read the accounts of what the republican party did in conjunction with religious fanatics. They formed an alliance that ran a smear campaign against this woman. So for everyone that thinks there is no difference between our two parties, they need to think again. This candidate was ONLY opposed by republican, for one reason and one reason only; because she was gay (her opponent was also a democrat). The republican party needs to know that the gay community understands their institutionalized hatred of our community. I am glad that Parker was elected because she was clearly the most qualified candidate - because gay was of secondary consideration.