100 Women We Love Class of 2010
A Houston, Texas native, Annise Parker has remained close to her roots. She was sworn in as the 61st mayor of Houston in January, becoming only the second woman and first openly gay person to hold that office. She graduated from Rice University and worked for two decades in the oil and gas industry, with 18 of those years spent at the Houston-based Mosbacher Energy Company. For ten years, she co-owned Inklings, a Houston-based independent gay bookstore. Parker was involved in Houston politics for several years prior to becoming mayor, serving six years as a member of the City Council and one six-year term as Houston City Controller. -CB
As the first decade of the new millennium comes to an end, we take a moment to celebrate 100 out lesbians who have made the past year one of inspiring change and amazing progress.
Kate and Trish Varnum
Kate and Trish Varnum have been together for more than nine years and legally married for almost one. The road to their wedding began in 2005, when Lambda Legal filed the landmark marriage equality case Varnum v Brien on behalf of them and five other lesbian and gay couples in Iowa. In April 2009 the Iowa Supreme Court ruled that the state’s ban on marriage for same-gender couples was unconstitutional. Trish (left) and Kate are aware of the importance of lending their voices to the fight for equality. “All of us have a story to tell. By telling our stories, we can find common ground and educate those around us,” Kate says. The Varnums live in Cedar Rapids, Kate’s hometown. -CB
