Greg Davis, the conservative Republican mayor of Southaven, Miss., told a news conference this week he's gay -- after an audit showed that during a city trip to Canada he visited and bought something at an adult store for gay men.
"While I have performed my job as mayor, in my opinion, as a very conservative, progressive individual -- and still continue to be a very conservative individual -- I think that it is important that I discuss the struggles I have had over the last few years when I came to the realization that I am gay," Davis said at the news conference Thursday, according to The Commercial Appeal of Memphis.
The newspaper reports that Davis "ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2008 on a conservative, family-values platform."
On Davis' 2010 mayoral campaign website, then-wife Suzann says, "Greg is a wonderful husband and girl-daddy."
"He can fix a broken toilet ---- and do one of the best ponytails you have ever seen!” Suzann Davis said.
Neither Davis' own website, nor his official Southaven bio, reveal that he and Suzann divorced about a year ago.
From his still-active campaign website:
Greg and Suzann will celebrate their 18th wedding anniversary this June. The two met in the spring of 1988 at Mississippi State University. A campaign actually brought the couple together. “Greg was running for Student Body President, and I told a friend I would help. Little did I know that she would be sent home with pneumonia, and I would become the Freshman Chair of his campaign! I was instantly impressed with his values, character and concern for the University students. I didn’t know a lot about him at first, but my first impression still holds true today—people either completely love him or totally disagree with him; but everyone respects him. If you asked a question you knew you were going to get an honest answer, not what was politically correct at the time”, Suzann states.
The couple married at First Christian Church in Columbus, MS, Suzann’s hometown. The preacher who married Greg’s parents, along with Suzann’s lifelong preacher, united the couple June 1, 1991.
Almost 18 years, 3 children, and a few moves around Southaven, you can find Greg and Suzann happily married and living on Davis Road between both their parents. The Davis household, complete with 6 dogs and 2 cats, is always eventful. “Greg is a wonderful husband and girl-daddy,” Suzann says, “he can fix a broken toilet ---- and do one of the best ponytails you have ever seen!”
Greg, Suzann, and the girls are charter members of Heartland Church on Stateline Road. “God has really blessed us with a great church family,” stated Greg, “we are continually learning and experiencing more of God’s awesome glory every week.”
Kendyl, 13, the oldest of the three girls, is a carbon copy of her daddy! Kendyl is an Honor student in the 8th grade at Desoto Central Middle School. Kendyl has been an All-star Competitive cheerleader for Southaven Wildcats for 5 years. Kendyl has been very active at DCMS by being a student body officer, member of the science club, choir, cheerleader, and currently her new love is volleyball. She says that she plans on going to Mississippi State for undergrad and then to Harvard for law --then she wants to come home and be Mayor then Gov!! (Greg better watch out!)
Mayor Davis and his wife of 19 years, Suzann, are the proud parents of three young girls and are active members of Heartland Baptist Church in Southaven.
The struggles HE has had?! What about the struggles WE all have which he has facilitated through his (hypocritical) conservatism? I want to hear him denounce the GOP and offer restitution for all the harm he has done by promoting family values for ALL. He is noit the victim, he just got caught while victimizing us all.
Posted by: Carlos | December 18, 2011 at 09:53 AM
Why is this story significant?
Posted by: ML | December 20, 2011 at 12:13 AM
gee wizz who do you trust anymore with this being so conservative stuff , how can this be a guy who loves this "woman" for 18 years. Did he just love her for a show and to please her an inside not want to do it. Man people can be so deceiving. What a great faker of life. Wonder if he has met men in his life or what. Come forward guys if you dare! Church going people beware just beware and prepare for the worst? No the truth sets us all free. I'm sure He feels free. Now what does his 18 year wife think of all this, and the 3 girls of their own girl daddy? Must have been signs in him that he was gay? Maybe this will kind of force the USA to allow gay marriage and more rights. Way ta go Davis. Your now in every gay mag as a future poster boy for coming out. Who is next, all the footballers and wrestlers!? Really who cares but it shows people are not really being honest. Admire him now. Yes because he is now honest. His wife? Support him and I'm sure he will be a great father.
Posted by: Doug Pruden | December 20, 2011 at 10:00 PM