check out the article!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34399468/ns/politics-more_politics/
Last night ( December 12, 2009) Annise Parker, who is openly a lesbian, defeated Gene Locke ( former city attorney) in Houston's mayor election. This is not only a huge story in terms of the fact that Parker is making history for being elected as a homosexual- but a homosexual WOMAN as well. These are two factors today that are looked upon as deviant in our society. Parker is acting an inspiration for all minorities. I think this story would have been looked upon under as less significant even if it was representing a gay man who won the mayor election. Needless to say, the city of Houston is mostly democratic, which illustrates more liberal perspectives. Do you think this had something to do with it? I think that had a large part do to with the factor that Parker won the election. Houston also has a large Black, Hispanic, and Gay population. Did the amount of diversity effect this election? I think so. Diversity enables people to think " outside the box", and it also emphasizes the idea of acceptance. The more diverse an area is, the more likely the " norm" will be pushed aside. It is inevitable. Do you think that this election will start a trend and help lesbians gain status in our society? I think it is a start of more acceptance, but I still think our society has a long way to go in general of fully accepting what is different.
I read on 538 that the dimmer way to view this situation is that people in Houston would rather have a white lesbian than a black man as mayor - that's who she ran against. But I'm not sure if that's fair - maybe it is indeed true that people are OK with lesbians these days, or something...
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