J.W. Lown, Mayor of San Angelo, Texas, resigned yesterday, after deciding that the relationship he had with a man from Mexico was more important to him than his job:
"Lown said in a telephone call late Wednesday afternoon from Mexico
that he has started a relationship with someone who does not have legal
status in the United States. Lown said he did not want to take the oath of office knowing he was 'aiding and assisting' someone who was not a citizen. 'I made the final decision when I knew it was the right decision to
make for me and my partner and our future — and for the community,' he
said. The mayor declined to identify the person. 'I don’t want to give his name,' Lown said. ... Lown said the man came to the United States five years ago. He
attended Angelo State University. Lown said the relationship started
after March. Lown and the man are in Mexico awaiting a visa to come back legally."
Lown was scheduled to be sworn in for his fourth term as the town's mayor (a job that pays $600 annually?) on Tuesday after a landslide election 10 days ago.
Lown's statement to the public, AFTER THE JUMP...
Posted May. 21,2009 at 12:16 PM EST by
Ah lamore! Lamore!
Posted by: Tralfaz | May 21, 2009 12:27:42 PM
Jesus. Dickmatized much?
Posted by: Aaron | May 21, 2009 12:48:42 PM
I think the most shocking thing about this story is that San Angelo has a gay mayor. That area of Texas is exceedingly conservative though there does appear to be a growing GLBT community in San Angelo that simply doesn't exist in Abilene, Midland, Odessa or Lubbock.
Posted by: Craig | May 21, 2009 12:54:33 PM
What an incredibly courageous story. Sadly, one that's being repeated all over the country everyday. Best of luck to them.
And if the visa doesn't work out, there's an incredible gay scene and American expat community in Mexico City.
Posted by: JTlvr | May 21, 2009 1:00:30 PM
Wow, a politician with integrity, a politician who puts family above power (such as it is) and position, a politician who didn't want to be a hypocrite.
A gay role model emerging from west Texas politics and gay marriage in Iowa in the same year. What's next...Oh, I know...a lesbian mayor for Houston!
Posted by: notshychirev | May 21, 2009 1:29:17 PM
he has only been seeing him since March of this year? Thats a big leap to be taking.
Posted by: Mark | May 21, 2009 1:42:26 PM
notshychirev: a lesbian mayor for Houston? No way -- wake me when they've got a lesbian comptroller and maybe I'll believe you.
:-)
Go Annise!
Posted by: tjc | May 21, 2009 1:45:21 PM
Craig
as a college student in Lubbock and being from the area. I would say there is a way more sizable gay community in Lubbock than San Angelo or any of the other west Texas towns...
Lubbock is a college town with over 30,000 students, 3 gay bars, and a freeway named after a lesbian. It might be backwards but not Iran...
Posted by: Travis | May 21, 2009 1:48:10 PM
It highlights the urgent need to pass the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) when Obama tackles immigration reform.
There are thousands of gay Americans who have foreign-born partners but because of DOMA and current policies they can not adjust their status in law the way heterosexuals can.
$25 bucks and quick trip to city hall for straight people. Years of anxiety, lawyers fees and complete uncertainty for gays.
It's gotta stop.
Posted by: FASTLAD | May 21, 2009 1:48:36 PM
RE: Mark
"he has only been seeing him since March of this year? Thats a big leap to be taking."
Haha, true, but then again, he is only making $600/year :).
On a side note, one of the articles linked that leads to "Chron.com: Houston & Texas News," had a title that was almost mocking the former mayor for his decision:
"San Angelo mayor quits over immigrant boyfriend"
Seriously, couldn't they come up with a more subtle and correct title?
Posted by: Nat | May 21, 2009 1:50:22 PM
This doesn't even make any sense. It sounds like an excuse to back out of something.
If they're both in Mexico waiting for a Visa for the BF to come back LEGALLY, what's the problem? That he can't pull himself away from his BF in Mexico until the BF can come back legally? How pathetic.
He didn't deserve to win the office because he was obviously never serious about it or he would make the "sacrifice" of temporarily being away from his BF.
Dear God, it's not even like he couldn't travel to Mexico on weekends, just like millions of other people who work away from their families and travel home on weekends all over the world.
Posted by: paul c | May 21, 2009 2:43:40 PM
This is why DOMA has to go. The fact that the Dems in Congress don't consider it a priority is outrageous.
But it won't because Obama is no true friend to gays.
Posted by: Dan | May 21, 2009 2:57:32 PM
"Bitter -- table for one" Paul C.
Posted by: David Ehrenstein | May 21, 2009 2:58:07 PM
@David E - how does my response indicate bitterness to you?
He asked people to vote for him. They went out and voted for him. Then he says "no thanks", I want to be with my BF instead. That's inconsiderate and childish behavior.
Posted by: paul c | May 21, 2009 3:15:06 PM
All who have NEVER done something completely CRAZY for love...cast the first stone...hope they are truely happy and stay that way despite others. Good luck guys. sorry this is playing out in the public eye.
Posted by: artcreatelife | May 21, 2009 7:01:33 PM
Paul C, is this your stone?
Posted by: tim | May 21, 2009 10:27:35 PM
Thanks for the story. It's a sad story, and he shouldn't be ridiculed, or his seriousness as a mayor questioned. He obviously was well liked and competent as a mayor, being that this was to be his fourth term. It sounds more like he was coming out for being in a relationship with a foreign national than for being gay. It also sounds like the community knew of his gayness. Hopefully people will realize the unfairness of our immigration laws against gay citizens who cannot simply sponsor their partners for citizenship the way straight people can. If there were straight he wouldn't have to choose between his love and his country. Support the UAFA!
Posted by: dave98112 | May 22, 2009 1:09:00 AM
Paul C you are bitchy...
The bottom line is that he had to choose and I BET he was given an ultimatum and in that he chose his partner...
How can he be Mayor if he is living in another country?? The problem is, if he leaves the boyfriend and comes back...the boyfriend has a really, really unlikely chance of coming back for a long time...you all know how immigration is...
Posted by: Rowan | May 22, 2009 12:49:06 PM
Obviously being a realist is considered "bitchy" by many deluded folks. Here's the deal -people are commenting that this guy is "courageous" and a "role model"...wtf? Because he's a quitter?
He campaigned, people went out and voted for him. Here's a gay man who won the support of a Texas community, and who should have and could have used that position to do so many good, or even great, things...and he ditches that honor and opportunity to run after some guy he's been dating or whatever for less than TWO MONTHS?!
That's flaky and irresponsible. And you know what? Fine, we all do dumb shit. But don't describe him as a hero for that! There's nothing courageous about running away from responsibility to shack up with your lover of less than two months. Lame.
Posted by: paul c | May 22, 2009 1:43:41 PM
There should be no more discrimination for gay people. Even if they are mayors!
Posted by: GayVietnam | May 23, 2009 10:50:41 AM
if you knew JW, you wouldn't be saying such negative things about him. san angelo is not the easiest place to be latino, let alone gay. JW didn't make this decision lightly. since when has making a life change for love a crime.
JW loved being mayor. it wasnt about the money, or fame or prestige. JW was a fine leader and should be praised for living his life honestly!
Posted by: latingirlie | May 25, 2009 1:45:57 PM
How romantic! It's King Edward VIII and the Dutchess of Windsor all over again.
Posted by: Tone | Jun 23, 2010 8:23:12 PM
He's chorizo-whipped.
Posted by: Me Gusta Blanco | Jul 16, 2010 10:50:56 AM
I was thinking it might be a midlife crisis, but he's only in his early 30s. So what if he's leaving a career. Sometimes it's OK to do things for love and take a chance. Good luck to him!
Posted by: FunMe | Aug 9, 2011 1:11:47 PM