mayor:
Annise Parker made history with her election as the first openly gay mayor of a big American city, but she insisted she'll concentrate on the brick-and-mortar duties of running the country's fourth-largest city.
"I realize that I'm a role model, but I've been a role model for my community for 30 years," said Parker, 53.
Garnering 53% of the vote in Saturday's election, Parker defeated former city attorney Gene Locke, 61, who had hoped to become Houston's second black mayor.
"[Houston is] a diverse, international city that welcomes everyone," Parker said.
Parker ran on a platform of firm fiscal conservatism.
Smaller U.S. cities, such as Portland, Ore., and Providence, R.I., have elected openly gay mayors, but it's the first time a major city has followed suit.
Parker's victory comes after several setbacks for gay rights, including the repeal by voters in Maine and California of same-sex marriage laws and the rejection of gay marriage legislation in New York.
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