In Conversation with Mayor Annise D. Parker
MUMBAI, 19 April 2015 – Asia Society India Centre welcomed Houston’s Mayor Annise D. Parker and Parmesh Shahani, Head of the Godrej India Culture Lab, for a refreshing take on cross-cultural perspectives from the LGBTQ community. As one of the first openly gay mayors of a major U.S. city, Mayor Parker provided insight into her personal life and shared the challenges she faced leading up to and during her term of office.
Shahani commenced the discussion by asking Mayor Parker if and how her sexuality has had a profound influence in her role as Mayor. To which Mayor Parker responded saying, “a Mayor was a public face and voice of a city, and for me the city always came first; I have been a lesbian activist since 1970s, and it is a part of me, but I had pledged that the city would be my first priority”. When asked about her most enjoyable moments in office Mayor Parker stated, “I love being mayor and making things happen and I love dealing with lots of people. Houston is very rare for seeing women at high levels so being the mayor has given me the opportunity to talk about my city without changing who I am.”
Mayor Parker spoke fondly about her family, comprising of her wife and her three adopted children. Commenting that the challenges she faced were akin to the challenges faced by any other parent, making her personal life “boring” to the outside world.
The evening ended with questions from the audience ranging from her opinion on smart cities, how to approach younger generation members of the LGBT community, and empowerment of the LGBT community in India.
Video: Watch the complete programme (1 hr. 1 min.)
Reported by Aneri Shah, Intern, Asia Society India Centre
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