Annise Parker, Mayor of Houston

b. May 17, 1956

"The voters of Houston have opened the door to history. I know what this means to many of us who never thought we could achieve high office."

In 2009, when Annise Parker was elected, Houston became the largest city in the US with an openly gay mayor. Houston is the fourth most populous city in the United States.

Annise Parker was born and raised in Houston. Her mother was a bookkeeper, and her father worked for the Red Cross. Annise received a National Merit Scholarship to Rice University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and sociology.  

After graduation, Parker began a 20-year career as a software analyst in the oil and gas industry. In 1997, she won a seat on the Houston City Council, making her Houston’s first out elected official. In 2003, Parker was elected city controller. She served two additional terms before being elected mayor.

Parker’s mayoral triumph didn’t come without a fight and controversy. Conservative groups criticized Parker for her “gay agenda” and distributed fliers featuring Parker and her partner, asking the question, "Is this the image Houston wants to portray?" Parker campaigned with her partner, Kathy Hubbard, and their three children.

Despite the attacks, Parker won the election in a city that denies its employees domestic partner benefits, and in a state where gay marriage and civil unions are constitutionally banned.

Parker was recognized as Council Member of the Year by the Houston Police Officers Union. In 2008, Houston Woman Magazine named her one of Houston’s 50 Most Influential Women. 

Bibliography

"Annise Parker.” Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 3 June 2010.

"Houston Elects Annise Parker.” The Advocate. 3 June 2010.

James, Randy. "Bio: Annise Parker, Newly Elected Mayor of Houston. TIME. 3 June 2010.

McKinley Jr., James C. "Houston Is Largest City to Elect Openly Gay Mayor.” The New York Times. 3 June 2010.

Olson, Bradley. "Houston Makes its Choice; Parker Makes History.” Houston Chronicle. 3 June 2010.

Videos of Annise Parker

Annise Parker on CNN

Associated Press: Houston Elects Openly Gay Mayor

Websites

Annise Parker for Houston

City of Houston Mayor’s Office             

Annise Parker’s Social Network

Annise Parker’s Facebook Fan Page

Annise Parker’s Twitter Page

GOP Mississippi Mayor Outed - After Spending City Funds at Gay Adult Store

"An embattled Mississippi mayor has come out after an investigation revealed that he used city funds to cover personal expenses including a visit to a gay adult store.

The Tennessee-based publication The Commercial Appeal prompted the revelation from Southaven Mayor Greg Davis, after receipts provided by state auditors showed that Davis had spent thousands of dollars worth of liquor, expensive dinners and even a personal vacation, in addition to a charge for $67 at Priape, a store in Toronto that is described by its website as "Canada's premiere gay lifestyle store and sex shop." Davis is said to have made the visit to the shop during a recruitment trip in Canada."

full report at Huffington Post

Klaus Wowereit, Berlin Mayor

Politician
b. October 1, 1953

I want to live in a country that is open to the world, where gays and lesbians live lives free from discrimination. But a tolerant society doesn't just happen. There is only a tolerant society when enough people decide to stand up for this. And I am calling for this.

Berlin has played a unique role in gay history. Prior to the rise of fascism in Germany, Berlin was home to the world's first gay rights organization, Magnus Hirschfeld's Scientific-Humanitarian Committee. In 1933, over 100 gay and lesbian bars functioned as social centers in Berlin. The Nazi regime destroyed German gay culture and imprisoned an estimated 15,000 gays in concentration camps.

Berlin is once again a thriving sanctuary for gays and lesbians. In 2002, the city elected Klaus Wowereit as its first openly gay Lord Mayor. Before the mayoral election, Klaus Wowereit declared "Ich bin schwul, und das ist auch gut so," or "I'm gay, and that's okay," paving the way for other gay politicians.

Wowereit grew up in Berlin without a father. Although the youngest of three siblings, he was the first to attend grammar school. Wowereit praises Willy Brandt, the chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany from 1969 to 1974, for social policies that enabled poor children like him to attend school. He describes Brandt as his inspiration and role model.

Wowereit studied law at the Free University of Berlin and joined the Social Democrats. In 1984, he became Berlin's youngest city councilor. As a councilor of education and culture, Wowereit learned the nuances of Berlin's political atmosphere. In 1995, he joined the Berlin House of Representatives. After four years, the parliamentary group of the Social Democrats elected him their chairman.

Loved by Berlin's citizens, Wowereit easily won reelection as Lord Mayor in 2006 and has maintained high approval ratings.

Bibliography
Boyes, Roger. “Klaus Wowereit.” Newstatesman. July 24, 2006. July 3, 2007
Landler, Mark. “Berlin Mayor, Symbol of Openness, Has National Appeal.” The New York Times. September 23, 2006

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