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Lectori Salutem! or L.S. (Greetings to the Reader!)

My God, I have been up late to bring you a definitive answer to the question, “Who is the next mayor of Houston, Texas?” After casting my vote earlier today I just had a great feeling about things. In fact, it made me quite proud to be a resident of Houston, Texas merely by the conduct of the mayoral race. Now Gene Locke had a few minor stumbles where he allowed some right wing ultra-conservatives on board his campaign and they were crass enough to make sexuality an issue in this race. Other than that, this has been remarkably good campaign fought on the issues – a rather amazing feat when you realize the magnitude of the effect of the results as they cascade through Texas and America.

Houston is the fourth largest city in the good ole USA and after the blows that have been dealt by her in recent years and elections like the issue of gay marriage in California and the lack of or minimal promised action by our supposed best ally ever to sit in the oval office in the way of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, federal partner or “equal spousal” rights for gay Americans, and lastly but not least, a comprehensive “Hate Crimes” legislation. Yes, I know he signed one, but really? How long as that been coming down the pipeline? It was our Senators and Representatives who get the nod on that one. All he did was sign. There are certainly more way than those listed that we expected President Obama to take a stand, but none of us here in south Texas ever imagined our fair city to be leading the way of equality by christening the first gay mayor of a city of more than 100,000 people, net alone a 1,000,000 people (Houston pop. 2,242,193 and over 4.5 million in the surrounding area), showing Washington, DC how “The West Was Won” by voting our minds and hearts, damn the gender (she’s a woman by the way!) and the sexuality (and a lesbian in a long-term lesbian relationship, Go Annise!).

So, I guess the question on everyone’s mind is when did Houston become so cool? I have to admit as a resident born in the state that is best known for failing gays and lesbians in the marriage department I am so honored to be a 32-year resident of the great state of Texas and a recent addition (3 and 1/2 years after going to junior high and high school here in my younger days) to the beautiful, hip, sleek, Texan, down home, loaded with special, individually owned businesses and wonderful places to explore that we call Houston.

It’s not the Houston where my mother raised me that’s for sure. Twenty years and a light rail sure make a big difference!!! I moved here from the supposed liberal capital of Texas, Austin, where there is neither hide nor hare of a gay mayor or even a woman since Carol Keeton Rylander Strayhorn was a Democrat and THAT was a long time ago.

Like I said, I had this feeling of change a coming all day long and was thinking back over the last three and a half years and how I just didn’t miss the liberal bastion of Texas. Sorry, Austin, my youth and all my indiscretions are still with you if that means anything, I still love you. I mean, I live in Midtown for God’s sake and Montrose, the theater district, the museum district and the Heights are my next door neighbors with it’s borders beautifully groomed by Memorial and Hermann parks. Now, you tell me, where can I find such a place for a single, young, (at least still in my mind) gay woman to call home?

I love Thursdays at the museums for free; the Meneil for all the other days of the week; the Empire Café for the best cup of coffee, hibiscus tea or one of the gorgeous cakes; missing the gorged out house in Montrose but knowing it was there makes me happy; the Japanese gardens of Hermann Park; strolling my neighborhood as I don’t need my car for groceries, the pharmacy, five star restaurants, and hopping clubs I usually walk by with my mini doxies on a Saturday night I must admit, but they are there, damn it, and sometimes I walk in; Spec’s for the gourmet food, coffee and well, have you seen their collection of just merlot? that resides just across the street from my dwelling; and you fill in the rest… there is just so much more.

All of this hubbub is to say, “Thanks you, Houstonians” for living in the here and now present and for the changing of the tide as it is a coming. It makes me so inspired to know I am a part of history in the making with the election of Annise Parker. Truly, as great as Annise is, I want this story to be about those that got her where she is and she will have to do the heavy lifting and prove us right by leading Houston through some tough storms ahead. I know she is worth our votes!

Congratulations, Houstonians and congratulations Annise Parker!!! I was truly thrust out of my seat to write this blog as a tribute to the city I have come to love so much. I am so proud to live here. Thank you fellow voters, and to gays and lesbians, remember this moment as a victory and a few steps forward to make up for the giant step back we seemed to have been forced to take in the election that took place in California. TEXANS RULE!!!

Much Love.

Inspired by the city of Houston…

Guest Post Sent In From: Sappho Eurygyus
Email: maxieblue@gmail.com
Website: http://www.sapphospeaks.com
Quote: Life can only be understood backwards, but must be lived forwards.