Houston elects a lesbian as a mayor

Houston voters chose Annise Parker, who highlighted her sexual orientation in her victory speech, to replace Bill White as the next mayor of the fourth-largest U.S. city by population whose deficit was a campaign issue. This is the largest city ever to have a gay mayor

Parker who won 53.6 percent of ballots to 46.4 percent for Gene Locke told supporters last night before introducing “the person who has shared my life for more than 19 years:” “This election has changed the world for the lesbian, gay and transgendered community, just as it is about transforming the lives of all Houstonians for the better. Source: Bloomberg

Houston Mayor-elect Annise Parker, right, celebrates her 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.

Source: AP