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
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