The Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus (also officially known as the HLGBTQPC) is the South's oldest civil rights organization dedicated solely to the advancement of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights. It was founded in 1975, and is the largest LGBTQ political organization in the city of Houston and Harris County. It is known locally simply as "The Caucus". The Caucus is nonpartisan and endorses candidates on the basis of their support for LGBTQ rights, regardless of political party or candidate's sexual orientation.
Etymology
In 1977 it was known as the Texas Gay Political Caucus.
From 1980 to 1985 was known as the Houston Gay Political Caucus or simply the Gay Political Caucus. By 1991 it was known as the Houston Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus. On September 1, 2021, the membership of the organization voted to change the name from Houston GLBT Political Caucus to Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus in the spirit of diversity and inclusion.
History
Founding and early years
The Caucus was founded in June 1975 by four dedicated gay and lesbian activists (Pokey Anderson, Bill Buie, Hugh Crell, and Keith McGee) long before gay rights became a major national issue. From its earliest moments, the organization emphasized electing candidates who were gay-friendly and had made specific commitments to support issues important to Houston's LGBTQ community. Its first president was Gary Van Ooteghem, who served from 1975 through the middle of 1977. A Houston Chronicle photo of early LGBTQ advocates Ray Hill, Pokey Anderson, Jerry Miller, and Rev. Bob Falls is often mistaken for being a picture of the founders of The Caucus because many early activists, including some of the true founders were very closeted and were afraid to have their photo published.
Don Hrachovy, who served as president in 1977 until his employer sent him to Saudi Arabia, worked tirelessly to compile names and voter information for members of Houston's gay community and used it to build a much admired mailing list. "The List" allowed the organization to mobilize effectively the gay community during elections and remains its most powerful organizing tool today.
The screening committee was first chaired by Leland Marsters, who represented Precinct 34 (lower Westheimer) on the Harris County Democratic Executive Committee. His political experience was quite valuable to the new organization. For example, many leaders planned to attend a conference in San Antonio one weekend in May 1976. The Democratic primary was held on Saturday; it was crucial to re-elect state Rep. Ron Waters in the Montrose/Heights district. Marsters astutely urged everyone going out of town to vote absentee. He was a driving force in getting the Caucus involved in local politics.
In its early years, the group struggled to find candidates who would actively seek its endorsement, but members persisted in grassroots efforts, from printing endorsement cards to working the polls and many other activities. As the group demonstrated its ability to turn out LGBTQ and LGBTQ-friendly voters, more politicians sought its endorsement. The group made endorsements in the Houston municipal election, fall of 1975, and contributed to the re-election of Houston Mayor Fred Hofheinz. In 1977 it endorsed Kathy Whitmire, who won her race for City Controller.
In 1979, it endorsed Eleanor Tinsley, who was running for an at-large seat on city council; she defeated an incumbent who had been outspoken against LGBTQ rights. Sue Lovell, who was a leader in The Caucus at the time, recalls: "The then-Gay Political Caucus approached Eleanor Tinsley wanting to endorse her in her race for City Council At-Large Position 2 against 12-year incumbent Frank Mann. Many of the people who worked on her campaign advised her not to take the endorsement, because she would lose a lot of votes. Her response was, 'I believe I will gain more votes than I will lose, and it's the right thing to do. I want to be on the forefront of this civil rights movement.' Tinsley went on to win that race, becoming the first woman elected to Houston's city council in an at-large seat.
In 1981, the group experienced a turning point of sorts when it played an integral role in the election of Democrat Kathy Whitmire, who became the city's first woman mayor. Her support for LGBTQ issues drew criticism from conservatives in the city, but she refused to recant it and won four more elections with the group's support.