Houston Mayor Annise Parker: 'Being Gay Isn't Tough - It's Who I Am'

Annise Parker, the first openly gay mayor of a U.S. city with over one million people, opened up to journalist Diane Brady to open up about what it's like to be an out and proud public servant in Houston.

Here's a sample of what Parker, whose sexual orientation once caused a scandal, had to say:

People assume the toughest decision in my life was coming out. But being gay isn't tough—it's who I am. What's been tough is learning how to be social, and how to adapt to public life.

...

I don't get death threats anymore, but I still have to work at being comfortable with the public part of the job. There are so many more images of gay and lesbian people today, and so many ways to be gay. I'm a middle-aged soccer mom and I appear in public with my spouse of 20 years and my kids. It's hard to make me scary. When the job is over for the evening, I go home and pull up the drawbridge. It's a relief when the scrutiny isn't there. But being honest about my personal life pays off every day. 

That line, "It's hard to make me scary," should be put on a gay rights t-shirt.

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Houston Clergy Want Mayor Annise Parker to Rescind Sweeping Anti-Discrimination Order

A coalition of clergy in Houston are pressuring Annise Parker to rescind the recent sweeping anti-discrimination order she issued which offered protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

 What are the clergy so worried about? The bathrooms.

"The latter order (gender identity), as it specifically states, covers hiring, contracting and/or access to City facilities and programs/activities. And this, Houston clergymen say, will open women’s restrooms to men, among other results. 'Forcing women in particular using city facilities to be subjected to cross-dressing men invading their privacy is beyond the pale and offensive to every standard of decency,' said Pastor Steve Riggle, senior pastor of Grace Community Church and an Executive Committee member of the Houston Area Pastor Council (HAPC). 'This is not only morally wrong it exposes the city and therefore the taxpayers to endless litigation and expenses,' added Pastor Hernan Castano, senior pastor of Iglesia Rios de Aceite and a member of the HAPC Executive Committee. 'It is irresponsible and indefensible.' Notably, however, supporters of the executive order are insisting that it remains unlawful for men to go into the women’s restroom."

Houston Mayor Annise Parker Issued Sweeping Non-Discrimination Order This Week

Houston Mayor Annise Parker issued one of the most comprehensive non-dsicrimination orders in the nation this week, the Dallas Voice reports:

 "Parker’s order replaces one signed by her predecessor, Bill White, the Democratic nominee for Texas governor. White’s order covered sexual orientation and was similar to protections for gay, lesbian and bisexual employees in Dallas. 'I felt it important that our written policy reflect what has long been the practice of the city, which is we do not discriminate,' Parker told Dallas Voice. Parker’s order, which includes gender identity/expression, was signed on March 25 and took effect immediately. 'The purpose of this Executive Order is to prohibit discrimination and/or retaliation on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identity at every level of municipal government, including hiring, contracting and/or access to City facilities and programs/activities,' the order states."

A second order, issued the same day, prohibits racial, ethnic, gender and other slurs, the paper adds:

"The second order prohibits not only degrading verbal comments but also mentions electronic media including screen savers, posters, cartoons and drawings. Menacing behavior, critical or mocking comments and perpetuating stereotypes are listed as behavior inappropriate for the workplace. Employees violating the policy are subject to disciplinary action up to indefinite suspension. Supervisors or managers who do not act on allegations or evidence are subject to disciplinary action."