I'm a Gay Native Houstonian Once Kicked Out As A Teen to the Streets. Today, I'm a Houstonian Again.

It's Shakespearean what happened last night in Houston, Texas.

Nah, it's more that, it's Biblical it's so cosmic. If there is a God, she or he is having a great time today. I can almost see the deities smiling and winking down at all the good people of Houston and in Texas. Maybe God works wonders in mysterious ways after all. I'm an unbeliever, but hell, it's Christmas, and for me, the greatest Christmas present in my life will now be the election of Annise Parker to the highest office of the 4th biggest city in the United States. I'm just so happy that I lived long enough to see it happen.

I am still stunned.

Many here already know my story: kicked to the streets in the 1960's as a teen by Republican, Christian parents right there in yes, Houston, Texas. For three years I desperately struggled to find food and a night's shelter here in Los Angeles working as a short order cook at Skid Row, and yes, turning tricks in the evening in Hollywood and later in the Village in Manhattan to survive. It made me a better person, I like to believe. It certainly taught me that it is poor people, just as John Steinbeck's Ma Joad said, who are the ones who will help you when you are down and out, not the rich.

Even after my family begged me to forgive them, even after all of that, I never felt good about Houston when I would visit there. Add to that mix that loathsome Houstonian Bush tribe and their cynical exploitation for political gain of my GLBT sisters and brothers, and I swear the happiest moment whenever I was in Houston was when I was boarding a plane leaving Houston to come back home to my adopted and beloved home here in Los Angeles.

But now, the world has turned upside down for me. The paradigm that had filled me with so much bitterness against all things Houston is broken into a million pieces.

It's not the same anymore.

If I ever go back to visit now, maybe, just maybe it will be possible to "go home again". I don't know. I hope so.

Congratulations to Annise Parker and her companion, Kathy Hubbard, and to all Texas DU'ers and Democrats. You have put the rest of the world on notice. Houston knows a thing or two about human goodness that the rest of the nation just might learn from. New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Boston can not say they have an OPENLY GLBT mayor. But Houston, Texas can. They elected her.

After over 40 years, today, today I can say I am a Houstonian again. Be proud Houston, be very proud. I am very proud of you.

i grew up gay in houston too, but with very progressive parents in the 80s-90s. but i had a lot of friends whose parents weren't so understanding, so i get it. i live out of the city and didn't get to vote, but i sent her a contribution, small though it was.

It certainly will turn many stereotypes to ashes.

She seems to be a hard core bean counter, all about budgets and getting it right, like Kathy Whitmire. I assume that is the kind of person you want.

I remember that when Kathy Whitmire got elected mayor, all the white men grumbled and griped about how HORRIBLE it was that we had a woman mayor, especially a petite lady with blonde hair and glasses. They all threatened to leave town. I wish they would have, but they did not.

Now I wish all the conservative old white guys who think it's horrible we have a gay female mayor would be our guests, and just leave town.

Texas is being dragged kicking and screaming into the twentieth century, despite the reactionaries.


I'm a native Houstonian too (Pasadena, actually). Lived in Texas all my life and Houston for most of it.

I don't know if Texas is being dragged kicking anymore. Houston just played a very liberal card trumping so many other liberal urban cities.

Houston just played a hell of a Texas Hold Em hand.

we beat san francisco to gay mayor status, un-fucking-believable. actually dallas proper is pretty blue as well, but not this progressive. rural areas have way too much clout in this state.

HOUSTON ROCKS!

oh, i was going to ask you. you like anyone for guv?

All of us here -gay, straight, black, white, brown, etc.- can proudly proclaim that. This is a big thing, and I can't tell you how proud I am of being a native born Texan.

I've seen some stuff in my life now.

And you are right, it's a big thing.

I'm still stunned by it all.

My daughter just graduated HS (HSPVA) a year and a half ago. One of her friends was kicked out of the house when he came out to his folks and couched surfed at several folks houses until he graduated. Folks that he stayed with knew his orientation but were more worried about him being safe and cared for until he could get in his feet and make it to college.

His folks just couldn't accept it but I think one day they will. It just takes some folks more time. Folks are gradually coming around as long as it is not shoved in their faces. Houston really is a live and let live place anymore. I think Ike helped it become even more of that kind of place.

I couldn't vote for her because I'm from a town down the road, but I am also thrilled that she won. And truly, even though a few extremists tried to make it a factor, her sexual orientation had NOTHING to do with it. Annise had been elected to various offices 6 times, if I recall correctly. (It may have been 7?). Houstonians like her, respect her, and trust her enough to continue to elect her.

This is a "proud moment" indeed, Lisa.

will go on here for ever, dont kid yourself,

I really like Texas, I really do!! Just don't let the cops catch you smoking a joint or you go to jail!! Here in Denver, you get a ticket for a joint.

I never voted for a Bush and I always voted for Annise. That is real Texas for you.

I'm so relieved to get some good news for a change!!

As my nephew who lives in Houston (Clear Lake) told me, "David, it's tough to be a liberal in Texas." He and his wife have raised three progressive children who are all amazing.

Texas liberals are tough people.

this is a central event. I read the headline and thought, Damn! It a sign that people are moving
beyond the awful prejudices, at least a whole bunch of people.

Enjoy and k*r of course.

:fistbump:

Hey, I love your Raiders avatar. That's my team. I want them here in L.A. again. Thanks for your comments, autorank.

... all over the south and southwest, trapped in desperate isolation... how much happier and hopeful they were this morning as opposed to yesterday.

There's a *light*.

I like that.

Some time back the figures from the NIH, I believe, were that 1 out of 3 teen suicides were gay kids.

Today, they might catch a headline and be more "hopeful".

Yours was a very sweet post, Smarmie Doofus

Being from a city that elected an openly gay sheriff a few years ago, the reactions from people are interesting. I mean, sure, it's cool-- but people are focusing on the dissonance, where really-- these are large urban areas that are being taken over by the Democrats, and their progressive attitudes towards LGBT people. Now, why they're not being elected in equal numbers in other areas, I don't know.... Not sure why Texas is leading the way in this, but I say we keep it up!

I remember when Dallas, in the 1970's had the "P" rating for gay films (for "perversion").

Maybe we are making progress. And yes, Dallas did elect an openly gay sheriff and that is also a big milestone.

And I say with you, "keep it up."

:toast:

:toast:

Maybe this old world is progressing.

Maybe this old world is progressing indeed, Swede.

Just when I think this country can't get any worse, it gives me just a little hope

It's a proud day for Houstonians.

But now I see that Texas is no different than any other state in that, when given the facts and when they are allowed to open their hearts, Texans can be awesome people. So, there goes my mistaken impression of Texas and her inhabitants.

Congratulations!:woohoo:

I was born in Philly & lived there to my teens (where I was also kicked out onto the mean streets as a teen, for a different reason).

Following that episode, I moved to Texas. I understand, on a gut level, those feelings about the place where life turns suddenly cruel.

However, where TX differs from Philly (& maybe a lot of older, East Coast cities), IMO, is in the chance to come here and re-make oneself in whatever way you want.
I have always felt the freedom to refashion my self-identity here (maturity?) when I lived in the different major cities of TX.
Remember that saying "You may not be from Texas, but Texas will claim ya"?
I think Texas is a place that allows people to forge their own identities, change them at will and be whatever you want to be.
It doesn't matter what family you came from or what part of town you grew up in or what schools you went to.
Texas is defined by it's constant dynamism.
Hell, Houston has really only been a "city" since the 70s.

Like you, I used to feel so ambivalent when I would go back to Philly. I made peace with that and I recognize all the good things Philly imprinted on me.
I feel very much connected to Philly, a huge chunk of my family is there, I consider it my hometown, as I do Houston (& San Antonio).
All very different places, all contributed in a huge way to my life.

Now, it is time for Texas to re-make or refashion herself. If that can happen anywhere, it would be Texas.

Houston is a great place these days, a very "livable" big city, with a lot to offer.
I feel more included and embraced here than I ever have anywhere.

I hope you also find it that way when you come back home. :pals:

California has historically been the place for starting over, for second acts.

California saved me.

Over my head, hanging on the wall above me each night as we sleep, is a four foot diameter aluminum plate with the Great Seal of California in an oil painting. It was salvaged from a state building from the 1950's. I always tell people that when the "Big One" comes, that this great big sheet of aluminum suspended by wire will come down like a guillitine cutting off my head in one quick cut...and that would be OK with me.

But every night, we lay down underneath that great beautiful symbol of the state that took me in, that saved me.

I love Philly. Market Street never fails to give me goose bumps when I am there. Ben Franklin's little shop, the place where Jefferson penned the Declaration, the home of the Continental Congress, so much history there.

But today, Houston has my honor.

You captured it very nicely.

We like to think that Houston is big enough for you to break up your ex and just move to another side to get away. Texas will claim you....yeah we accepted the Bushes-nuff said. You really can make something of yourself, always could. That is it's intrinsic charms. We have enough heat and bugs to keep the wussies out and that which remain are tough enough to make it.

We don't blame anyone for not thinking of us as a tourist destination, it is a hard sell. Try this website on for size. It is an unvarnished look at why we Houstonians love our city. It started out as a semi joke but several books later.....

http://www.houstonitsworthit.com/your_HIWI_submissions

North Carolina elected its second gay mayor in November but it was in a liberal college town enclave. Houston is the big time.

Ruby red North Carolina going blue in 2008? I'd never believed it even four years ago.

And you are so correct, and no one should make light of it: "Houston was big time." :hi:

:hug:

I'm sorry you had to go through all of that.

I'm desperately sorry that still, 50 years later, a lot of teens are still going through similar horror stories when they come out or are outed. :(

Change is happening, but I wish it wasn't so piecemeal and so slow.

I truly believe it made me a better person.

Instead of being an insufferable, pompous right-winger, I'm now just an insufferable, pompous left-winger. ;-)

Seriously, your comments touched me greatly. This was a big emotion for me last night and even this evening.

I am still processing it. Thanks for the hug.

even amongst the stress and angst...things move forward...in increments. :hug: and Whoopie! If Houston can change...there's hope for everywhere!

There are some good things going on out there.

:hug: from a gay brother in LA.

:hug:

:hi:

I'm just catching up with this story -- beautiful couple!

And it's happening because of the strong and courageous fight that homosexuals, themselves,

have put up -- not only that but intelligent and powerful in approach and attitude --

with just a little help from friends and fair minded people.

The victory is all yours -- every one of you!!!

Cheers!!!

:hug: :grouphug: :hug: :grouphug:

...that I like!!!

- Way to go Annise and Kathy!!! Congratulations!!! And you too Houston!!

K&R

Yippie!!!

:toast:

to America!! This is a victory for all of us, whatever life we were born to live. I am so happy!!!

of the 4th largest city in the US still isn't allowed to get married?

That is just plain fucked up.

Many of people in your situation would NOT have survived.

It's not just about losing the roof over your head...but all the hits to your self esteem. You didn't end up on the streets because your family could not care for you...you were there because they put you there. If you had not survived, nobody would have blamed you.

So celebrate for Houston all you want, thank Cali all you want...but at the end of the day...the buck stopped with you.

The thing is that I was a really good kid. I was an honor student and graduated early from high school and was in a community college at 16, and of course, still living at home when they threw me out. They'd had it all planned very neatly in advance, as my dad had already taken a position in Guatemala and had already rented a home there for he and my mom. They told me to get out of the house. I went back to try to get a few of my things a few weeks later, but the locks were changed and they were out of the country the neighbors told me.

I guess having the queer as your son was too much for their pride. They solved the shameful 'problem' methodically quite efficiently. The queer boy was gone and they moved out of the country.

I hitch hiked to California. I had nothing, but was like the Emerald City in Oz to me.

My dad was an executive with a petroleum engineering firm based in Houston. Later, on one of my dad's business trips, he came out to Los Angeles and wanted to find me. By then, I was already 18. A family friend had, without my permission, given him the address where I was working at a little greasy spoon a block from Skid Row. He showed up from his hotel downtown in his business suit and tie with a big, shiny rental car. He said wanted to take me to lunch. I was cooking and I already smelled like lunch and breakfast and was wearing an apron. I didn't want to go to lunch. And I didn't want to be with him.

We "visited" for maybe five minutes at the most standing in the alley behind the diner. He awkwardly took a photograph of me and my friend who washed dishes at the diner, Adam (a beautiful gay boy from Oklahoma who was also tossed to the streets), standing together in an alley there at Skid Row with overfilled garbage dumpsters next to us. I must have weighed 100 pounds at most. Adam had a big reddish blonde "afro" and his jeans were made from an American flag.

That's was the photograph or trophy that my father took back to Houston to my "family". My mom still has that haunting photograph in her home.

Many years later, when we reconnected, after my dad had broken down in front of my entire family sobbing and asking me to please forgive him because he couldn't live with himself, things changed. My dad spent the rest of his life (he died at 88 in Houston, of course) trying to make up. Every single time I saw my dad after that, regardless of where we were or how many people were around at the time, when he'd first see me, he'd exclaim "There's my boy!"...even when I was over 50 years old. Even when he was in the hospital bed where he later died from complications from a stroke, in front of the nurses, he'd struggle to speak and make the words, "There's my boy!"

You certainly had every right to be angry, and I would guess some of that will always be with you. Apparently your dad was eventually sorry for what he did to you and, I would think, mom too for her role in it, but it happened nevertheless. You can't just pretend it never occurred, but people, and perhaps especially family members, often do really bad things for some very stupid and biased reasons. Sometimes it takes awhile for someone to realize just how badly they've hurt someone else. Parents are no less guilty and no less human than others in these matters. If they admit their wrongs and sincerely ask for your forgiveness, try to give them that forgiveness if you can. Life is short.

On a different note, I share your happiness at the election of Annise Parker. She is a smart person with an excellent track record in public office. I believe she will be a great mayor for Houston, and I am happy to have given her my vote.

If so that would be the icing on the cake. And be sure to thank them!

Plus Bill White, former mayor of Houston, is running for governor. Could the tide be turning? Well I won't be so optimistic but what good news and I am so glad that you again may feel at home in your city if you visit.

Congratulations David. I didn't know your story and I cried while I read it. Texans and Houstonians (not sure if it's the right word) have much to celebrate and be proud of now. Now, the rest of the country has to catch up with you and other cities which have seen the light. It makes your heart smile.

my hometown. I grew up in San Antonio. I am proud of what my friends and neighbors achieved Saturday, and even prouder that the Mayoral run-off was between a Black candidate and an openly Gay Candidate. I would also say I was proud the city shut down traffic in the Montrose community so that they could actually celebrate in the streets.


And for the good deed done on Saturday, I would say that the Texans were also very proud and played excellent football....

and when a gay homeless teen hits me up for money I am always very generous to them. It just depends on my night. If I haven't waited until I was an adult before I came out, I would have been on the streets too!

This still happens today!!

I still laugh at one of the kids I gave money to, he nearly knocked me over to run into 7-11 to get his burrito..lol

:hi: :hug:

Always will.