U.S.: Houston mayor-elect Annise Parker carries the gay-rights torch, too
- Houston is a multiracial, multicultural, international city. And I think my election will send a message to the world that Houston is a city that might surprise a lot of folks.
- Houston mayor-elect Annise Parker • Discussing her sexual orientation (she’s gay), along with the possibility of being the new mayor of Houston, prior to a runoff election that she won. This is a big deal for a number of reasons. First off, Houston is the fourth-largest city in the country, which means that it’s the largest city in the country to elect a gay mayor. Secondly, it was in a city which just a few years ago barred benefits for partners of same-sex workers. Finally, Texas is a really conservative state. So her election is a huge win for the gay rights movement. source