Mayoral candidates woo gay Houston for support

[TexasTowelie]

The Houston GLBT Political Caucus is “the belle of the ball” in this year’s mayor’s race as several gay-friendly candidates try to land the group's coveted endorsement.

After six years under term-limited Mayor Annise Parker — a one-time caucus president and the first openly LGBT person elected to lead a major U.S. city — it's not surprising for the group's endorsement to be highly coveted.

One candidate, state Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, spent $3,040 to purchase 76 Caucus memberships to try and sway the upcoming vote. But Caucus President Maverick Welsh told the Houston Chronicle the group's backing isn't for sale:

"We know campaigns actively try to push as many people into the room as possible, and that's why we've strategically tried to grow our membership over the last year and a half," Welsh said. "I don't think any candidate has enough members to be able to buy an endorsement." ...

"It's kind of nice to be in the position of being the belle of the ball for once," he said.

Turner’s wooing of the caucus is interesting given that his record on LGBT issues isn’t exemplary. As the Texas Observer reported recently, Turner voted in favor of bans on both same-sex marriage and gay foster parents as a state lawmaker. Turner claims he’s since evolved on LGBT issues, but critics say his shift is politically motivated. Turner was dogged by gay rumors in the 1991 mayor’s race, but his spokeswoman, Sue Davis, said she doesn’t expect them to come up again:

Read more: http://www.projectq.us/houston/Mayoral_candidates_woo_gay_Houston_for_support?gid=17062#.VbEVJrL_7sU.twitter

[Gothmog]

1. The City of Houston is very friendly to LGBT

[meathead]

2. Turner is our local Lindsey Graham

He was outed back in the 90's. His problem is the black community, his base is adamantly anti-gay. It would be political suicide for Turner to take up LGBT causes. So here we are with a sensitive, lisping man living with male "roommates" over the years and a anti-gay voting record.