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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 23, 2009)
______________________JANUARY 23, 2009 lUStOUt ■ 3 just out J NEWSMAGAZINE JANUARY 23, 2009 PAGE 16 VOL. 26 NO. 6 A Difficult Decision Why did Just Out call for the mayor to resign? Headed by Publisher Marry Davis, Just Out newsmagazine is asking that Portland Mayor Sam Adams resign from office. By his own admission, by committing the act of lying to the citizens of Portland, Adams has failed to show the pnncipled character that this publication feels is a basic requirement for an elected official. Just Out acknowledges that over his two decades as a public servant Adams has risen to become one of Oregon’s most revered openly gay leaders. This publica tion has long admired Adams’ vision, his intelligence and his tenacity. Ultimately we have concluded that these qualities cannot overcome the weakness revealed in Adams' recent admission. Adams’ apology of yesterday, including specific reference to the gay commu nity, while sincere, is not enough. The bond of trust and confidence has been bro ken. Adams has previously stated his hope that gay and lesbian youth might one day kxik to him as a role model and example. His own actions have now rendered this implausible. Reaction to the posting was immediate. Many people expressed frustra tion and anger with the decision. Most commonly expressed was the belief that Just Out acted t<x) soon. It was repeatedly stated that Just Out should have waited for an investigation to be completed and that who Adams had sex with was no one’s business. Consistently readers stated their belief that all politicians lie, so what’s the big deal anyway? Why did Just Out make such a quick decision in calling for the mayor to resign? Because, following Adams’ press conference Jan. 20, it was evident that he had been caught in his own complex and calculated series of lies. Let’s be clear: These were not “Who ate the last cookie?” type of lies. These were manipulative lies intended to deceive every citizen of Portland. The desire to be elected mayor was so great that Adams was willing to compromise his integrity and his values in the pursuit of the goal. In September 2007, after allegations that Adams had engaged in a sexual relationship with a minor, a tight-lipped and chilly Adams called me and Just Out news staff into his office for an interview. We sat there for 30 minutes, questioning the steely jawed commissioner as he clenched in righteous indig nation over the “lies” that were being spread about his character and moral fiber. We listened, we believed, we trusted. We came back to this publication and wrote our words of support for Adams and encouraged our community to rally around our gay icon. Adams deliberately duped this publication into spreading his falsehixxls. Now it might be asked, “Is there now a feeling of anger toward Adams causing Just Out to react in retribution by asking for the resignation?” No, that is not the case. It’s a matter of clarity of conviction, of seeing the actions then and the results now. The bonds of trust between Adams and Portland have been broken. You cannot lead those who no longer have the will to follow. Portland is a city in need of leadership and in need of it now. Our economy is broken, and our infrastructure is falling apart. We don’t have the time to rehabilitate a fallen, chastened leader. This is work Adams will need to do on his own. Readers objecting to our stance also expressed frustration that Just Out jumped the gun, not waiting for the results of an investigation. What dif ference would this make? Adams, after cornered by Willamette Week, had no recourse but to admit he lied. There’s no new information coming forward to salvage this truth. There are no investigation results that can come along to make this situation any better. It is what it is. There are many who view this as a matter of privacy and the right for everyone, including Adams, to have a personal and private sex life. Everyone does have this right. And Adams had the right to make that clear in September 2007 when called into accountability. He chose a different path. The path chosen led him to where he is tixlay. There are those who have complained that we are holding our politi cians—and Adams, as a gay man—to a higher standard than we hold oth ers. My belief is that when it comes to the truth, there should be only one standard. And we should all hold ourselves, and each other, accountable to this standard. Comments on our Web site, and others, consistently threw out statements like: “Politicians lie, they all lie. Get over it, Just Out.” So, folks, when did that become acceptable? When did we become people who tolerate or accept being lied to? What’s wrong with this picture, Portland? Making the decision to call for Adams’ resignation was difficult for all of us. It may have appeared hasty, but it was well thought out. We brought to our decision-making table the knowledge that came from having sat in a rixim with Commissioner Adams the day he chose to back himself into a comer. A corner that ultimately allowed him no escape. Sam Adams is a gifted and talented public servant. His years of hard work earned him many loyal supporters. It’s unfortunate that he chose to let them all down. 1 personally gave Sam Adams my vote, my support, my friendship and my money. In return, he took my trust. FEATURE 16 GOOD GRIEF Devout woman questions blind faith after gay son’s 1983 suicide in Portland: The story behind Prayers for Bobby starring Sigourney Weaver NEWS 7-15 NORTHWEST Sex scandal shocks queer Portland; Brody Theater opens at former Shanghai Steakery; BRO’s legislative wish list; activist pastor holds training; Central Coast PFLAG emerges; Equality on Campus Day is Jan. 27; SMYRC, Q Center plan moves; Julianna Jaffe off to NYC; McMenamins project on hold; trans activist ascends another rank; case closed for legal challenge to Measure 36; filing taxes will never be the same ARTS & CULTURE 28 NIGHTLIFE Portland Sisters keeping the bad habit 29 MUSIC Amy Ray goes solo 30 CULTURE Playwright feels boxed in by womanhixxl; documentary examines community’s role in gender transitions 31 FILM Portland documentarian examines society’s crippling relationship with the almighty dollar reflections 32 THEATER Portland thespians explore open relationships, female fantasies 15 Years Ago In Just Oof...volume 11 number 6, January 21,1994 • Longtime Portland performer Misty Waters shop in the city's Castro District. It contained I • Republicans for Individual Freedoms, an or- Shanklin, known by many simply as Misty the Waters, died Dec. 15 of complications due to Gotta Give ’Em Hope." inscription "You AIDS. She was 36 years old. Born as Sullivan ganization of gay Republicans, is planning to start a chapter 33 JIM'S CLOSET in Oregon. The group has more A Kiss Is Just a Kiss Johnson, he served honorably in the U.S. Marines • Barney, for three years. Later in life he underwent the purple physical transformation to become a woman. lar As Misty Waters, Johnson was crowned Miss is being advertised by Oregon and Princess XI during her career as a a minister in Charlotte, • After more than two years of stage entertainer. Her brother, Woody Johnson, N.C., as a "new age planning and thought, organizers also known as Lady Elaine Peacock, died in demon" who promotes of a Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual October of complications from AIDS. "homosexuality." Community Center are moving PBS-TV's dinosaur with popu preschoolers, than 200 members nationwide, with about a dozen living in Oregon. ahead to the next stages of de • San Franciscans recently honored the memo • Leila and velopment. Writing articles of ry of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay member Don Powell are the new incorporation and bylaws, form of the city's Board of Supervisors. Former po co-chairs of the Right ing task-specific committees and liceman Dan White assassinated Milk 15 years to Privacy Political Action Committee. Right to gaining nonprofit status are the next goals of the ago on Nov. 27. A plaque was unveiled in front Privacy PAC is a separate organization from center organizers. A rented or donated location of the store where Milk once owned a camera Right to Privacy Inc. still has to be established. Wrathall COLUMNS 42 MS. BEHAVIOR Get Over Yourself PAGE 7 he following post appeared on JustOut.com at 1:45 p.m. Jan. 21:
