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.
Beth Ditto
Critics agree: Arkansas-born Gossip frontwoman Beth Ditto reigns supreme as the queen of voluptuous, feminist, lesbian rock. With band mates Brace Paine and Hannah Blilie, Gossip has toured with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, the White Stripes, and Sonic Youth (to name a few), and appeared on the 2007 True Colors Tour benefiting the Human Rights Campaign. Ditto has posed nude for numerous magazine covers to promote size equality and body acceptance—and raised a few eyebrows. “As a woman, I think the media really wants to see you demonized for having a life outside your musical family,” she counters. “A woman has her nuclear family, and that’s supposed to be all there is; if she steps outside that role of wife, mother or daughter to become an independent personality, she’s immediately criticized for neglecting her motherly duty. That’s exactly how I feel about Gossip; like I should have that motherly duty to my band. If I were a man I don’t think it would be a problem.” In 2010, the band will hit the road for a European tour. -EI
