Houston may become the first largest city to elect an openly gay major. 53 year old City Controller Annise Parker is running for mayor against former city 61 year old Attorney Gene Locke who if elected would be the first black major. Ms. Parker is a lesbian who has never hidden her sexual orientation. Of course anti-gay activists and conservative religious groups have a lot to say about electing an openly gay person into such a public position. They have made Parker’s sexual orientation the focus of the race and have endorsed Locke. While the gay and lesbian political organizations support Parker’s efforts.
Losing focus in matters such as this is how the people who have hidden agendas and no genuine concerns or interest about the best interest of the people get elected. People allow their belief biases to interfere with their judgments and decision making. Of course people are entitled to their personal opinions, but when your biases are the driving forces behind them then in some way it becomes a form of discrimination. Honestly, what does Parker’s sexual orientation have to do with her capabilities of being Mayor? What this tells me is that who she sleeps with is more important than her effectively running of the city. It’s the oldest trick in the book from a political stand point; to take the focus off of the real issues and the point of the election. It makes more sense to focus on the candidates merit, skills, and capabilities to perform the job at hand than their sexual orientation. Maybe that’s just me!
