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Annise Parker, the openly lesbian winner of Houston's mayoral election last month, was sworn into office this weekend, reports the Advocate.
Parker has officially become the nation's most prominent LGBT mayor in the nation's fourth-largest city, hosting nearly 2.2 million. The former city controller and City Council member took the oath of office in a private ceremony at City Hall on Saturday, two days before a public inauguration during which she will be sworn in again.
Parker, 53, took the oath before state District Judge Steven Kirkland. Holding the Bible for Parker as she was sworn in-was her longtime partner, Kathy Hubbard.
Parker stood strong and appeared unaffected during her candidacy despite numerous homophobic remarks and with almost all of Houston's 738 precincts reporting, Parker had 53% of the vote and opponent Gene Locke had 47%.
On the night of her election, Parker told supporters at the convention center in Houston, "The voters of Houston have opened the door to history. I know what this win means to many of us who never thought we could achieve high office."
Inauguration celebrations for Parker are planned throughout the day Monday.
