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I kissed my spouse on stage at my inauguration as mayor. But I don't think I would have put it in a campaign eight years ago.

Openly gay former Houston Mayor Annise Parker, referring to Maryland state Sen. Richard S. Madaleno Jr.'s campaign ad that features him kissing his husband. It is likely the first-ever kiss of a same-sex married couple in a U.S. political ad.

Openly gay former Houston Mayor Annise Parker, referring to Maryland state Sen. Richard S. Madaleno Jr.'s campaign ad that features him kissing his husband. It is likely the first-ever kiss of a same-sex married couple in a U.S. political ad.

Caroline Cournoyer is GOVERNING's senior web editor.