Photo of Annise Parker and Kathy Hubbard by Smiley N. Pool via Houston Chronicle
Although Houston Mayor Annise Parker, currently in her third and final term, has not confirmed it, sources close to the mayor have stated that she and Kathy Hubbard may get married in Palm Springs, Calif. in January 2014. As the Houston Chronicle stated:
Parker, recently elected to her third and final term as Houston mayor, long has pledged that she and Hubbard would not marry until Texas legalized same-sex marriage.
In recent public statements, though, the mayor has suggested she might reconsider her position. She said developments such as the Supreme Court's striking down of the federal Defense of Marriage Act have prompted her to consider the message her inaction might be sending to the couple's two adopted children.
In a statement issued by email, mayoral spokeswoman Jessica Michan wrote: "The mayor very much appreciates the interest in the 23-year relationship she has shared with her life partner, First Lady Kathy Hubbard. However, marriage is a private matter and she has no announcements she wishes to make at this time. If that changes, we will let you know."
Parker, who was last listed as No. 36 on Out's 2013 Power List, recently gave an interview to LoneStarQ in which she made headlines by calling Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty a "redneck wingnut" whose views are "completely irrelevant." She also confirmed that she intends to run for statewide office in 2018 -- without saying which one.
