Houston has become the largest US city to elect an openly gay mayor. Annise Parker, the current city controller, won 53.6% in the run-off election yesterday, beating fellow Democrat Gene Locke, a former city attorney. "The voters of Houston have opened the door to history," Parker told supporters following her victory. Campaigning ahead of the hotly contested vote in the Texan city, which has a population of 2.2 million people, was marked by anti-gay rhetoric. Anti-gay activists and conservative religious groups endorsed Locke and sent out leaflets to residents condemning Parker's "homosexual behaviour". Meanwhile, gay and lesbian political organizations nationwide countered by raising money for Parker and urging people to vote. Locke condemned the anti-gay attacks, but 2 of his key supporters contributed money to a PAC that urged votes not to pick Parker because she was endorsed by the "gay and lesbian caucus". Parker will face a $130m budget deficit when her term as mayor begins in early January. Houston is the 4th largest US city. Several smaller cities already have openly gay mayors, including Portland, Oregon and Providence, Rhode Island.
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