Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 21, 2007)
„6 , jUStpUt ^LPJLMfiLR.¿1.¿flg?_____ northwest Mayoral Battle Preheats Rumors bubble up around Commissioner Sam Adams by Julie Sabatier hen Mayor Tom Potter announced Sept. 10 that he would not seek re election, questions began to swirl ahout who would be the first to begin a campaign to lead Portland in 2008. Two names that quickly surfaced were City Commissioner Sam Adams and Pearl District devel oper Bob Ball, both of whom are gay. Although neither potential candidate has announced his intentions, both of their names have been making headlines because of the ever- industrious political nimor mill. On the evening of Sept. 17, Willamette Week reported on its Web site some nasty gossip concern ing a possibly inappropriate relationship between Adams and a 17-year-old gay man. Beau Breedlove, now 20, and Adams, 44, met at the Oregon Legislature in 2005. Adams says Breedlove, who was interning with a legislator, approached him seeking a mentor. “He was struggling with coming out. He asked me for advice,” said Adams. “He was really interest about being a gay man. 1 didn't want to conform to them—going to the clubs, doing drugs, sleeping around—I wanted to be something more. Sam was the role model that wasn’t the typical gay man. That’s what 1 gained from our relationship.” Breedlove no longer wishes to pursue a career in politics. He works at a restaurant in Michigan and aspires to play piano professionally. No one has yet admitted how the information about Adams’ association with Breedlove reached the media. City Commissioner Randy Leonard says Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams adamantly denies rumors that he had an inappropriate he first heard the rumor from Ball, Adams’ poten relationship with an underage legislative intern. tial challenger, during an event Aug. 2 at Ball’s also says he believes Ball’s perpetuation of the rumor Wyatt building on Northwest 14th Avenue. Ball fulfill his reporting obligation. Under Oregon law, was politically motivated. told Just Out that he was passing along what he got public officials (including reserve police officers) “Bob has been leaning on me very heavily to from a “credible source” that was “close to Sam.” are required to report to the Child Welfare Office, endorse him for mayor, up to and including in that “One of the things that I was struggling with the Department of Human Services or a law was I didn’t know if this rose to the level of some conversation [about the accusation], looking me in enforcement agency if they have “reasonable cause" thing I had to report,” explained Ball, who said he the eye and saying: ‘We’re very close friends. This to believe a minor has been abused. did not solicit the information. “It concerned me. is personal, and 1 want your endorsement.’ That’s “This is a smear campaign, and for him to try to The person who came to me said that they thought an exact quote,” said Leonard. now pretty it up and characterize it as anything else it was factual.” Leonard says he no longer counts Ball among is just untrue,” said Adams. “This was nothing more, his friends. “Notwithstanding the fact that Bob has nothing less than attempted political assassination.” been a very good friend, I know of Bob’s strong Asked if he regrets meeting with Breedlove one points and his weak points, and one of his weak on one because of the insinuations now swirling points is he’s just an insufferable gossip. You cannot around him, Adams said: “No. To regret that means go and tell people something as a fact that is so that there’s something untoward about it, and there hurtful and damaging particularly to a gay man, wasn’t,” he explained. “To regret that, I think, bol Ball, who is a reserve police officer, decided to who is perhaps the most singular, susceptible per sters a stereotype that I thought was a very old stereo contact Leonard after consulting with attorney son in our culture to charges of pedophilia.” type that gay adults can’t be trusted with gay minors.” Mary Overgaard, who served as legal council for Leonard says he told Ball directly that he Dan Ryan, a gay man who serves as co-chairman the Portland Police Bureau from 1984 to 1993. believed the rumor was false and had most likely of the Portland Public Schools board, agrees. “Being “Initially when he heard it, he wasn’t going to say come to Ball by way of a disgruntled former a mentor is just part of being a responsible adult,” he anything or do anything, and then he realized he was employee of Adams’. (Just Out was not able to con said. “1 salute Commissioner AdamTFor adding this a sworn police officer, and he wondered if he had firm this information by press time.) to his full plate. Actions like this are why people trust a duty to report it to anyone,” said Overgaard, who is Leonard was not the only person Ball spoke to Sam.” a straight board member of the Oregon Gay and about the controversial allegations against Adams. Jonathan Weedman, who serves as program man Lesbian Law Association. “1 think that the statute is He also revealed what he knew to former Mayor ager for the Sexual Minority Youth Resource Center, broad enough that we felt taking it to a public official Vera Katz. Katz also went directly to Adams, her said he might have advised Adams to bring along would meet Bob’s obligation. He was very concerned former chief of staff. another staffer to the lunch and dinner meetings. that his actions not be viewed as political. He t<x>k Ball says that in hindsight he might have “There’s a lot of power in numbers, and it reduces this to someone he thought would act appropriately.” chosen to share his information with a different speculation,” he said before wondering akxtd, “Wixild Leonard says he took the information to Adams, public official. “I don’t regret the decision to say a straight politician have done anything different?” who denied the accusation. Adams contacted something. If 1 had it to do again, 1 would maybe Neither Adams nor Ball has indicated how this Breedlove and told Leonard that Breedlove was will bring it to [Multnomah County District Attorney] incident might affect a decision to mn for mayor. ing to sign an affidavit confirming there had been Mike Schrunk. Again, 1 just followed the advice Adams says he will announce in the next few weeks, nothing sexual about their relationship. Leonard says that I was given.” while Ball says he is still deciding between a mayoral' campaign and starting a family with his partner. • he was satisfied the allegations were untnie. Leonard Both Leonard and Adams say Ball failed to "This was nothing more, nothing less than attempted political assassination." —Sam Adams ed in getting my take on the situation based on my experience...it was a mentor-mentee friendship, and that is all it was.” Adams says he invited Breedlove to a First Thursday event at City Hall, which Breedlove came up from Salem to attend. Afterward the two had dinner at rhe nearby Lotus Café. They met for lunch on one other occasion. Adams and a date also attended Breedlove’s 18th birthday party at the home of the young man’s family. According to Breedlove, his boyfriend picked him up after his dinner with Adams at the Lotus and drove him back to Salem. Breedlove also had some communication with Adams through text messages and phone calls. Breedlove backed up Adams in stating that his relationship was not sexual or romantic in nature. “It started as a mentorship, and now it’s a friend ship,” Breedlove told Just Out. “My problem at the time is 1 was stniggling with the general stereotypes JVU^/Relocation Gillart Bradley Co. Custom Fine Jewelers /For a moving experience c that won't make you cry < A Express Yourself with Jewelry Distinctly Crafted for You! A Portland-based company for your moves across the nation 7 . and around the world. ■ :• ; V- i-- Jewelry & Watch Repairs Come and join us! 503.282.0282 Call us at 1-888-8NWRELO or visit www.nwrelocation.us for a free estimate Tuesday ■ Wednesday 10:30 am - Thursday 10:30AM - 7PM Friday - Saturday 10 30AM - 5PM apm Hollywood Art Beat Every 3rd Thursday u * * 4049 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97213
