Gay rights have an important supporter on the Texas political scene: Kinky Friedman. Running for governor as an independent, Kinky has “hit a nerve out there” among Texans weary of the political status quo. To learn more and consider donating to his campaign, take a look at his web site.

As one-time leader of the band Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys, Kinky sang the song Cum Stains on the Pillow (Where Your Sweet Head Used to Be). He introduces one of his campaign aids, born Jeff Shelby but nicknamed Jewford, as “very possibly the next First Lady of the state of Texas.” Jewford in turn is given to answering Kinky with “Yes, M’am.”

Kinky’s unique humor can further be enjoyed in his series of mystery novels, which generally do feature at least one lesbian character. Bemoaning cultural divisions, he has said “I grieve that NASCAR people never go to the lesbians' tea-houses, and the lesbians never go to NASCAR.” But beyond the jokiness, Kinky Friedman is a well-informed, clear-thinking human being. As support for his pro-gay-rights candidacy in Texas mounts, even non-Texans should pay attention to the progress of his campaign and consider contributing to it.