"It's unprecedented for an election for the mayor of Houston to make the cover of the Times of India," Parker noted to David Taffet of the Dallas Voice. "It was difficult to slog through. It was a distraction at the beginning."

Sponsor Message.

Nevertheless, the publicity provided opportunities for Parker to serve her city. While on a trade mission to China in 2010, Parker, who had been named in Time magazine's latest list of the "100 most powerful people in the world," was granted a meeting with a Chinese official also included on the roster.

She surmised that he "probably met with her because both were on the list and because of the curiosity factor" about a woman—particularly a lesbian—in a position of political power.

Parker has stated to her constituents, "My number one priority as your mayor is fiscal responsibility." She noted that when she took office the difference between the city's expected expenses and available revenue was some 205 million dollars. Through a variety of measures, including finding ways to reduce expenses and consolidate operations and by selling some surplus land, she has been able to reduce the gap, a difficult task in a severely strained economy.

Although Parker is insistent on her commitment to work for the good of all Houstonians, she is also mindful of the importance of promoting equality for glbtq people and encouraging women to take an active role in politics.

"I really do believe that the fact that I'm wanting to be a role model for the LGBT community, wanting to represent women in public office . . . makes me a better office-holder," she stated to Laura Kiritsy of Ms. magazine, adding that "girls and women need to follow their passions. Getting to serve my city and local government is an absolute passion for me. . . . I figured out what I needed to do in order to win the race to get there. I hope that there are girls and women out there who choose to do the same."

Although Parker stands for all Houstonians, she has shown her support for the glbtq community by amending the city's non-discrimination policy regarding hiring, promotion, and contracting to include persons. In addition, in April 2010 she signed an order allowing transgender people to use the restrooms in public buildings for the gender with which they identify.

Kris Banks, the president of the Houston Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Political Caucus called Parker's actions "essential" because "a non-discrimination provision that protects sexual orientation but doesn't protect gender identity is toothless," adding that "it's quite a thing, having a mayor that really understands these issues."

Parker further affirmed her support for the transgender community by nominating Phyllis Randolph Frye as the first transgender municipal judge in Houston in November 2010. The City Council unanimously approved the appointment of Frye to the bench.

Parker has announced her candidacy for re-election in 2011.

Anti-discrimination statutes and ordinances have made a real difference in the lives of millions of glbtq individuals.

In the United States, glbtq candidates have achieved some significant successes at the ballot box in the last three decades, running for and winning local, state, and national elections.

Violence perpetrated against people thought by their attackers to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgendered occurs with disturbing frequency in the United States and other countries.

Portland, Oregon is home to a thriving and increasingly visible queer community that has provided leadership for Oregon glbtq activism since the 1960s.

Despite some recent progress, people who do not conform to society's gender norms continue to experience discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, marriage and family litigation, medical care, prisons, schools, and hate crimes protection.

Although work remains to be done, the expansion of protection from workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation stands as one of the significant accomplishments of the American lesbian and gay civil rights movement.

U. S. Representative David Cicilline, who made history as the first openly gay mayor of a state capital, has a long record of public service.