Monday, December 14, 2009

A Big Win In Houston


Well, we finally won something.

Down in Houston, after a long battle waged against homophobia and hate emails, Annise Parker was elected mayor of Houston this past Saturday, becoming the first openly gay person to lead a major U.S. city.

Way to go, Annise.
Way to go LGBT community.
Way to go.

“Tonight the voters of Houston have opened the doors to history,” Parker said Saturday night. “I acknowledge that. I embrace that. I know what this win means to many of us who thought we could never achieve high office. I know what it means. I understand, because I feel it, too. But now, from this moment, let us join as one community. We are united in one goal in making this city the city that it can be, should be, might be, will be.”


“Hear me: The city is on your side. I learned about the problems and the needs and hopes of our city at the neighborhood level. I understand what needs to be done to move us forward.”

Annise Parker ended her speech with a promise to the people of Houston: “I promise to give to citizens an administration of honesty, integrity and transparency. The only special interest will be the public. We are in this together. We rise or fall together.”

And Parker didn't win because she's gay; she won because she speaks to the truth. She doesn't mince words. During the campaign she refreshingly answered question while her opponent, Gene Locke, played politics as usual, with vague answers, non-answers and spin. Voters appreciated Parker's willingness to talk, and her experience watching over the city's $4 billion budget.

And, i like to think, they also responded, with their votes, to the negativity hurled at Parker for being openly, unabashedly gay. Social conservatives, or wingnuts as I see 'em, tried to turn voters against Parker by sending out mass letters and emails that tried to paint a Parker victory as a win for gay people and a loss for the conservative right.

That failed; big time.

This is a big win got Parker, for Houston, for the LGBT community, and for the country. Houston has shown everyone that gay is not a political issue. It just is; and it doesn't matter if you're gay or straight, male of or female, or any color or denomination.,

What matters is doing the right thing.

4 comments:

  1. Anonymous9:03 AM

    What an incredible result! Can we dare hope that the tide is at least beginning to turn?

    Love
    Mac

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  2. I agree with all you said and attribute her win to all those things you mentioned. Harvey Milk would be so proud even though it's taken so long.

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  3. I was surprised, but am happy about this. Go Houston!!

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