HOUSTON – In an inauguration ceremony for Houston Mayor Annise Parker and other elected officials, Parker outlined four top challenges: overcoming the city’s precarious financial position, improving public safety, reducing Houston’s notoriously high school drop-out rate and repairing a poor drainage system.
She also referenced her own sexuality, an issue she had been reluctant to discuss on the campaign trail. Parker is openly gay, but during the campaign, preferred to focus on the city-related issues she would confront as mayor.
"I spoke on election night of that being an historic election," she told an audience at the Wortham Center downtown. "In truth, Houstonians weren’t very surprised that a gay woman was elected. We have a tradition of electing mayors not for who they are but for what they believe they can do as a city."
Parker paused, and said she wanted to address fellow gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Houstonians.
"I understand how much this day means to you," she said. "I can feel your excitement and joy, but I can also feel your apprehension and longing for acceptance. I will gladly carry you forward, but today is simply one step toward a tomorrow of greater justice. Face the world with bravery and integrity. The pain is worth the trouble."
In a private ceremony on Saturday, Parker was sworn in as mayor, and Ronald Green was sworn in as Houston’s controller, but the public inauguration for the city’s top officials and City Council members took place Monday.
As Monday’s ceremony got under way, Parker and her partner, Kathy Hubbard, stood and waved to the crowd, which responded with a standing ovation. Then, Lakewood Church Pastor Joel Osteen offered the invocation.
"I love this city," Parker said when she took the podium to begin her speech. "I have said it before, but I can’t stop saying it."
"We don’t have to imagine Houston as an international city, we already are. Only New York and Los Angeles have more consulates. Houston’s cosmopolitan, international, diverse and tolerant nature is no secret to us," she said.
"The city of Houston is in good financial shape, and I thank Mayor White for that," Parker said. "True, we have a budget shortfall here in the city, but I will not let that affect the current level of city services. I bring good financial credentials to the office, and we will take a conservative approach to the city’s budget… An aging infrastructure, pension shortfalls, redistricting – these are challenges we are anxious to address."
In a nod to her promise to bring so-called "neighborhood policing" strategies to the Houston Police Department, Parker used her inauguration speech to explain what that means.
"Imagine neighborhoods where police are known and recognized, and they in turn know the neighborhood, and we are all safer," she said. "Imagine, too, a more unified approach to public safety, and approach without duplication. Houston Police working with Harris County sheriffs and constables, for example, on a crime initiative. That just makes sense."
Outside the Wortham Center, a small group of protesters from the Westboro Baptist Church held signs condemning Houston for electing an openly gay mayor. Other signs warned the United States against supporting Israel.
On Friday, the Anti-Defamation League sent a news release urging news organizations not to cover the protests from the Westboro Baptist Church members, arguing that the Kansas-based anti-gay group only appears at events where it is sure to get attention.
Five new City Council members were also sworn in at Monday’s ceremony inside the Wortham Center: Brenda Stardig, Al Hoang, Oliver Pennington, Stephen Costello and C.O. "Brad" Bradford.
After the ceremony, the new mayor and City Council members headed to City Hall for the first public meeting of the new administration.
The Inauguration Day festivities will be capped off Monday night at Discovery Green with a concert and fireworks show.
