Annise Parker, who became the first openly gay Mayor of a major US city, has finished her term in office.

Parker, a Democrat, has run Houston for the last six years , but has previously held the roles of a Councillor and City Controller, totally 18 years of service to the city.

Leaving City Hall for the last time the outgoing Mayor said it had been an honour to serve.

“It’s been an honor serving my hometown for over 18 years. … Tonight was the last time I exit City Hall as your mayor, which has been the best job I’ve ever had. Goodnight, Houston!”

In a recent interview Parker listed her achievements as Mayor including reducing homeless and improving the city’s parks and green spaces.

The Mayor faced a major defeat in 2015 when a law that would have provided protections to LGBTI workers was defeated in a public vote by a large majority.

During the campaign against the anti-discrimination legislation religious leaders suggested that Parker was “living lawlessly” by being a lesbian and asked supporters to pray for her to be “freed from her condition”.

Mayor Parker visited Perth during her time in office, the two city’s have a sister city relationship. While in Perth Mayor Parker met with local LGBTI community groups and discussed building community cohesion, suggested how more LGBTI people could be encouraged to stand for public office and shared her experiences in politics.

Parker also spoke about marriage equality, sharing her personal journey. While in office Parker travelled to California to wed long time partner Kathy Hubbard. The couple were unable top marry in Texas at the time as same sex marriage was illegal.

Houston’s new Mayor is Democrat Sylvester Turner. Parker has ruled out running for Congress but a tilt at state politics in 2018 was not out of the question.

OIP Staff