by Chris Bodenner

A reader writes:

You referenced Annise Parker as "the first openly gay mayor of a major American city." I assume you're already getting hate mail from residents of Portland and Providence.

A few (including my mother, who lives in Portland). "Major" is a subjective term, of course, and I used the verbatim wording from the source of the quote.  But for the record:


We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to the editor or write to letters@theatlantic.com.