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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 23, 2009)
23,2009 ÌUStlOUt;7 northwest Sex Scandal Shocks Queer Portland Mayor Sam Adams' career hangs in balance after admitting to cover-up by Stephen Marc Beaudoin and Jaymee R. Cuti ortland’s queer community was turned chance to celebrate Adams’ victory and give him a statement Jan. 19, was triggered by a Willamette on its ear when the much-revered royal sendoff to his new office. It was unknown by Week story indicating he had lied to the public openly gay Mayor Sam Adams admit press time whether Adams would attend. when he categorized his rapport with Breedlove For folks willing to shout out opinions on the sex with 18-year-old Beau Breedlove in scandal without having to pick up a $75 ticket to that 2005 and coercing him to lie when confronted with black-tie event, Just Out’s blog has served as a sound when they met in 2005, told Just Out in September rumors circulated in September 2007 by openly gay ing board, with citizens seeming alternately hopeful 2007: “My problem at the time is I was struggling MARTY DAVIS ted to lying about having consensual as a mentorship. intern and disappointed, shocked and stunned. with the general stereotypes about being a Gay Portlander Geoff Watland, one gay man. Sam was the role model that of many Adams supporters on the site, wasn’t the typical gay man. That’s what wrote: “Consensual sex acts are no one’s I gained from our relationship.” business, and he never should have been Adams admitted at a Jan. 20 press asked about them in the first place. He’s conference that he lied about the admitted wrongdoing, and he’s apolo relationship to get elected. “1 en gized. We need to move on and show a couraged Beau to lie because 1 little compassion.” didn’t think people would be Lesbian blogger Frances Miller’s lieve that rumors that I’d bro reaction was just the opposite. “What ken the law and had sexual gets me is not just that Sam lied, but relations with a minor [were the elaborate concoction of that lie,” untrue],” he said. she wrote in an e-mail to Just Out. “He Sam Adams' primary night election win on May 20, 2008, was historic, as he became the first elected openly gay mayor of a major U.S. city. legislative Breedlove, a 17-year-old Adams maintains that wrote a letter to the city saying he was they a target of a smear. He said he was a Breedlove’s 18th birthday mentor. He said he was inniKent of to have sex. waited until after an attack against his character and his developer Bob Ball. Adams’ admission was first re sexuality. How dare he use his orientation as a tixil vealed to Willamette Week newspaper Jan. 19. of deceit.” The Portland Police Association and four news Continued on Page 8 In his Jan. 20 press conference, Sam Adams sounded conciliatory about his actions, saying, "I want to apologize to the gay community for embarrassing them." Adams’ round of apologies, beginning in a papers already have called for Adams’ resignation. Members of the queer community seem conflicted, and reaction on blogs, in bars and along Stark Street ranged from unwavering support of Adams to wide-eyed astonishment at the turn of events. Adams is a long-standing and iconic member of Readers Heart Anonymous comments from the Just Out blog Portland’s gay community. In fact, several promi nent queer and allied Portlanders have planned “Sam Adams lied. He has embarrassed the gay “I think a backlash is waiting to happen against “Adams just set equal treatment for gays and a rally in support of Adams at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 23 community by his holier-than-thou attitude. Out the gay community because of Mayor Adams’ lesbians back two decades.” outside City Hall, 1221 S.W. Fourth Ave. with the scum.” failure to be honest.” The mayor may have a chance to face both —John Thomas —Faithful Queer —Jen his supporters and critics as soon as Jan. 31 at the “Sam, if you’re reading this? You idiot. You, more renamed Winter Gala, a benefit for Q Center, “I don’t defend him because he’s gay; I defend him “It’s disappointing that he lied, but also understandable; than most, should know that politics is about the nonprofit queer community center he helped because he’s human. Who wouldn’t be tempted he’s the right mayor for Portland whether or not he appearances. There’s plenty of less ambiguously found. The gala, which will take place at The to lie in the face of such prurient prudery? made a very human error in his personal life.” young tail to chase after in the world.” Nines Hotel, was originally envisioned as the city’s —pdxatheist Tranquility through Touch Testing for .Gay, Bisexual, and Trans Guys Anthony Gitch RECONCILING IN CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCHES Bethlehem Lutheran NE 39th Ave, Portland, www.bethlehemportland.org Central Lutheran Free \ Thursdays S 6:3ft I’M (drop ho Rapid HIV Testing (same day results) Oral Testing (two week results) Hepatitis A/B vaccinations NE 21 st Ave, Portland, www.centralportland.org Mission of the Atonement Lutheran/Catholic Beaverton, www.motaspirit.org Mt Carmel Lutheran lmtchtp Treat yourself or that special someone to an experience that will not soon be forgotten and provide ■ the ultimate in relaxation with a Hot Stone massage or I month of -j massage (I x per week) for $ldO Redeemer Lutheran NE 20th Ave. Portland, www.redeemerlutheranpdx.org Park Blocks, Downtown Portland, www.stjamespdx.org everyone welcome! mb m j '"íf’á Gift certificates must be purrbased by fteb I2ih for Valentines pncinj \ See mq website for other services • and discounts. 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