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Houston Mayor Annise Parker married her 23-year partner Kathy Hubbard, Thursday evening in a private ceremony in Palm Springs, California. The two women chose the 23rd anniversary of their relationship together as the wedding date. Reverend Paul Fromberg, rector of St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church in San Francisco, and a former rector for Houston’s St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, presided over the wedding ceremony.

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In a statement Parker said:

This is a very happy day for us. We have had to wait a very long time to formalize our commitment to each other. Kathy has been by my side for more than two decades, helping to raise a family, nurture my political career and all of the other ups and downs and life events that come with a committed relationship. She is the love of my life, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life married to her.

The couple was unable to get married in Texas, because the state of Texas is one of 34 states that does not currently conduct same-sex marriages. Illinois has recognized same-sex marriages but the law will not take effect until June 1st. Utah legalized same-sex marriages on December 20,2013, but on January 6th, 2014 the US Supreme Court put a stay on that ruling, pending the state of Utah’s appeal to overturn it.

Parker, a Democrat, was first elected Mayor of Houston in 2009 and she has been re-elected twice, winning again in both 2011 and 2013. Houston is the largest US city to have an openly gay or lesbian mayor, and Parker has made no secret of her sexual orientation. She has established a track record of sound fiscal policies in running the city of Houston and she had little difficulty in winning her two bids for re-election. Parker also has made it clear that she is interested in running for a statewide office in the future.