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January 7. 2005 * jUSt Olii 13
+.T (news
T eam P layer
Portland's first gay city commissioner taps three out queers
by Sarah Dougher
ortland City Commissioner Sam
Francisco, where he worked for Staton-Hughes
Adams has named his new office staff,
Consulting. He also attended State University of
which includes a former executive
New York, Oneonta.
director of an economic development
Gonzalez was politically activated in college
UMu.
agency, a lawyer, a schools advocate, a
when he became co-chairman for the National
Metro public outreach specialist, a nurse, a Gay and Lesbian Student Coalition. “There was
retailer, a state parks plan
ner and a retired labor
leader. It also includes three
openly queer people.
“1 feel very fortunate to
be working with this collec
tion of people," Adams
said. “They were selected
because they are best; that
they are openly gay will add
to their effectiveness in my
goals for the city. These are
get-it-done people who
share my passion for Port
land and for shaking up
City Hall. I am the City
Hall insider, so I was kxtk-
ing for hardworking out
siders. 1 found them."
Taken together, the Openly gay Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Sid Galton
swears in Sam Adams as city commissioner Jan. 3
Adams staff’s professional
profile includes nearly 50
years of private sector experience, 60 years of really no national queer student voice,” he says,
public sector work and 10 years of nonprofit “so we had to make one.”
experience.
While participating in this group, he began to
“One of the strengths of this staff is its diver realize the importance of elected officials in for
sity,” said Adams. “It includes a range of political
warding the agenda of queer rights around the
outlooks and English,
country. He hits worked
Spanish and Tagalog speak
on the campaigns of
ers. It includes people of
several gay candidates
African American, Asian
in
San
Francisco,
American,
European
including Supervisor
American, Latino and
Arthur Jackson and
Native American ethnicity.
Mayor Suzanne Leal, as
They reside in North,
well as other candidates
Northeast, Southeast and
for supervisor positions.
Southwest Portland.”
Having moved from
For new staff represen
the Bay Area only
tative Jesse Beason, city
eight weeks ago, Gon
politics has always been
zalez is eager to get to
something of a hobby. A
work for Portland. He
graduate of Lewis & Clark
sees Adams’ out gay
College, he has served as Jesse Beason, Adams' new staff
identity as a powerful
public outreach specialist representative
force for leadership and
kxiks forward to help
for Metro regional govern
ing him in his efforts to shake up Gity Hall.
ment, has worked with the Phil Busse for Mayor
Mary Jo Markle, another out gay staff mem
campaign and has volunteered for the No on
ber on the Adams team, was hired as staff fellow.
Constitutional Amendment 36 campaign.
A graduate of Brown University, she comes from
When Adams was elected, Beason saw his
a background as an AmeriCorps regional team
chance to have a greater impact on the future of
leader. She is relocating to Portland and was not
the city. He sees money as a primary challenge
available for comment.
of city governments—he notes it is not popular
Adams said that although his staff will be
to tax the citizens, yet funds are required to
address the tough questions facing Portland. His City Hall outsiders, they have deep rtxtts in
Portland. Their combined volunteer experience
stance regarding queer equality is holistic; he
includes: Affordable Housing
believes these
Now, Basic Rights Oregon,
rights are part of
Cascade AIDS Project, Citi
a larger human
zens for Schtxtls, Coalition for
rights agenda
a Livable Future, Coalition for
that addresses
School Funding Now, Grant
racism and eco
High School Site Council,
nomic disparity
Habitat for Humanity, Lewis
as well. He sees
and Clark Commemoration
the city as a
Committee, Mount Tabor
powerful force
Middle School PTA, Mult
for change in
nomah Village NeighborhtxxJ
this regard.
Association, Native American
David Gon
Youth Association and the Fil
zalez, hired as
ipino-American Chamber of
office manager,
comes from San
David Gonzalez, Adams' new office manager
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