Houston becomes largest US city to elect gay mayor

Dec 13, 2009, 17:50 GMT

Washington - Houston became the largest city in the United States to elect an openly gay mayor, as city controller Annise Danette Parker claimed victory over her rival late Saturday, the Houston Chronicle reported Sunday.

The paper said that Parker won 52.8 per cent of the vote to 47.2 per cent for opponent Gene Locke.

Parker, who first emerged in the public arena as a gay rights activist in the 1980s, ran the race based on her experience as controller, saying she was the savviest choice to lead the city out of recession.

'Tonight the voters of Houston have opened the doors to history,' Parker said. 'I know what this win means to many of us who thought we could never achieve high office.'

The elections are seen as a historic moment for the gay community in a conservative state like Texas.

'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,' Parker told her supporters after the victory.

The 53-year-old Democrat will replace Mayor Bill White on January 1.