».iustiwt JANUARY 23, 2009
The Fallnui
The story’s explosion into national media is
Continued from Page 7
painful for many queer Portlanders who worry
The mayor's actions ripple beyond himself.
A glance at some collateral damage from the scandal,
Portlanders first heard rumors of the relation
that even the association between an openly gay
ship in a September 2007 Willamette Week article.
elected official and a handsome, much younger
Portland developer and Q Center benefactor Bob
legislative intern plays on tabloid-style sexual
by Jaymee R. Cuti
Ball, who was considering a mayoral run, told Just
sensationalism. Some argue Adams’ personal life
Out that he heard Adams had sex with a minor
should he off limits; others say the issue has noth
The event is anticipated to raise a significant
from a “credible source close to Sam.” Ball tix>k
ing to do with his sex life or orientation but rather
• Bob Bail: Despite Adams’ assertion that Ball
portion of the center’s 2009 operating budget. By
the rumor to Adams’ mentor, former Mayor Vera
with lying to the public and coercing a young man
spread an untrue rumor for self-interest, the devel
press time, less than half of the 800 general ad
oper’s concerns were legitimate. Portlanders do not
mission tickets remained unsold.
WINNERS
to do the same.
as
far
as
Irrigon
are
concerned
about
the
afield
yet know if Beau Breedlove was of legal age to give
consent when he and Adams first had sex. Oregon
gays
Even
TOUGH CALL
Attorney General John Kroger will ascertain that
• Beau Breedlove: It is unclear whether
repercussions of Adams’
through an investigation. But Ball’s original con
Breedlove will emerge as a rock star among
admission. Frank Roa,
cern—that Adams engaged in an inappropriate
Portland’s hormonally amped barflies or a serious
director of the human
sexual relationship with Breedlove-^was founded.
young professional with the baggage of a scandal.
rights group Umatilla-
Despite his time at the Oregon Legislature, in
Morrow
September 2007 he told Just Out he is not pursing
in eastern Oregon, says
• Amy Ruiz: The Portland Mercury news edi
a career politics. After a stint in Michigan’s res
he’s worried about how
tor resigned to serve as planning and sustainability
taurant industry, Breedlove returned to Portland.
conservatives
policy adviser on Adams’ mayoral staff. In addition
He is a leasing agent at The Wyatt luxury apart
community might twist
to some who are questioning her qualifications, her
ments and owns an events promotion business.
the story to find another
LOSERS
job is no longer secure as her boss faces resignation
in
his
way to point out older
demands.
gays’ lecherous behav
• Queer Portlanders: Many in queer Portland
recoiled when Adams referred to himself as a leader
• Q Center: Portland’s queer community
Alternatives
in the gay community at a Jan. 20 press conference.
center was selected aS beneficiary of the Jan. 31
Will this scandal give unenlightened (read: ho
Mayor’s Winter Gala, a glitzy night to celebrate
mophobic) Oregonians ammunition to resurrect
Adams’ victory.
rhe stereotype that gay men are sexual predators?
Sam Adams cuts the ribbon at the opening of the Cascade AIDS Project
Men's Wellness Center.
ior toward younger gays.
But
he
also
believes
Adams deserves to stay
Katz, and City Commissioner Randy Leonard.
in office. “He didn’t break any laws. It was his
Adams responded to the allegations with vit
personal life, and he wanted to keep it private,”
The Q Center board decided Jan. 22 to broad
“It’s too early to tell what kind of an impact
riol. He said in September 2007, “This is a smear
he said by phone. “You can’t really fault him for
en the event’s focus to a Portland celebration and
there might he on our ability to do our job,” said
campaign, and for him to try to now pretty it up
being human.”
dropped “mayor” from the title. Executive direc
Jeana Frazzini, executive director of Basic Rights
and characterize it as anything else is just untrue."
tor Kendall Clawson said she hoped the newly
Oregon. “People are primarily looking at this as
Oregon Attorney General John Kroger is
speak with him since the admission. Calls for his
renamed Winter Gala would become Q Center’s
the story of a politician that didn’t tell the truth,
investigating whether the pair had sex before
resignation, for a voter recall and for support of
annual signature event.
not a gay or straight story.”
Breedlove turned 18, the state’s age of consent.
the mayor are increasing on all sides.
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