A Chance to Make History in Houston on Saturday

The run-off elections this coming Saturday in Houston were already notable for LGBT advocates, with openly lesbian City Controller Annise Parker in position to become Houston's next mayor. In fact, there's a slate of candidates endorsed by the Houston GLBT Political Caucus who would work to protect the rights of LGBT individuals and couples in one of the nation's largest cities. Our friends at the Bilerico Project posted this interview with Parker, which gives a good indication of the caliber of leader Parker would be for Houston.

However, in recent days, anti-LGBT activists have been campaigning against Parker and the other Caucus-endorsed candidates. The Houston Chronicle recently reported that Steven Hotze, a longtime anti-LGBT activist, endorsed Parker's opponent, Gene Locke. Some LGBT advocates in Houston that Locke hasn't done enough to distance himself from Hotze's endorsement, and now, a blogger observing the Houston elections is alleging that political donations connect the Locke campaign to Hotze. There's even literature circulating claiming that Parker and the rest of the Caucus-endorsed candidates are pushing a "homosexual agenda" intended to transform Houston into "another San Francisco."

The Caucus is looking for election volunteers for Saturday -- if you're in Houston or can be there, more info about volunteering opportunities can be found here. Those who aren't in Houston but who want to help with this historic election can donate here.

We'll update this blog with election results when they're available.