Mayor quits job for gay illegal immigrant he loves

[ensho]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/casey/6436282.html


It was, simply put, the most stunning abdication since King Edward VIII in 1936 gave up the British throne for Wallis Simpson, the twice-divorced American socialite.

Only two weeks after being elected to serve his fourth term, Mayor J.W. Lown of San Angelo submitted his resignation letter Tuesday from an undisclosed location in Mexico.

No, being mayor of San Angelo is not exactly the same as being the King of the United Kingdom and Emperor of India, but the reason for Lown’s abdication is the same as Edward’s. Love.

-snip-

Lown had been an extraordinarily popular mayor. Only 32 years old, he was elected in 2003 as the city’s youngest mayor. Serving in an office that inevitably requires decisions that accumulate enemies, he managed to get re-elected three times with increasing margins of victory each time. Two weeks ago he defeated two challengers by garnering 89 percent of the vote.

Lown did not give the name of his lover, but said he planned to stay in Mexico to try to obtain a visa so that his partner can return with him if “the people of San Angelo will welcome me back.”

-snip-

As someone who has closely observed politicians for many years, what I see is the rare integrity of a politician who couldn’t rationalize his way to swearing to uphold the laws of his state and nation while breaking them.

When it comes to sex, we’ve seen the president of the United States lie under oath, the governor of New Jersey provide a high-level job for his unqualified secret gay lover, the governor of New York frequent a high-priced prostitute.

The mayor of San Angelo chose not only love, but also honesty.
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honesty is good

[imdjh]

1. That's pretty amazing.

I need to give it some more thought. It seems he may have shot himself and his partner in the foot by doing this. It would have made more sense for the partner to quietly return to Mexico while they figured something out. But like I said, I'd have to give this more thought.

[TokenQueer]

2. Those damn illegals!

How dare they come into my country and steal all the good, single gay men from hard working American gays?!?!

:rofl:

[Occam Bandage]

7. They take the men that American gays don't want. nt

[HOLOS]

3. May Love Conquer All

[Fleshdancer]

4. If San Angelo won't have him, I know I and many other Austinites will.

What a beautiful story. The hopeless romantic in me is hoping for a happy ending to this story. The activist in me doesn't see this happening until these two have the right to marry and be recognized in all 50 states. I know it will happen at some point.

[Ohio Joe]

5. It is just not right

If it had been a woman, he could have married her and the town would have celebrated a beloved mayors wedding but since he is gay, he must flee the country. So sad.

[Occam Bandage]

6. Probably not, given that she would still have been a dreaded "illegal." nt

[Ohio Joe]

8. I don't know

I think with a half decent lawyer it could be taken care of before any announcement. I don't know, maybe I'm wrong.

[Occam Bandage]

9. Yeah, maybe he could have pulled some strings in that case. nt

[dsc]

10. marriage and a good lawyer can get around the illegal status

provided the immigrant didn't break other laws. My cousin recently married a Brazilian who had been in the country illegally (expired study permit) and they are happily married in the US.