OREGON S GAY/LE S BIAN/B l/T RAN S NEWSMAGAZINE
JULY 3. 2009
[just o u t
V O L 26 NO. 17
Never-Ending Story
any Portland voters likely thought,
or hoped, that the trials and tribu
lations o f Portland Mayor Sam
Adams ended with the release o f the Oregon
State Attorney General’s report. This report,
five months in the making, was issued on
June 22. With it came AG John Kroger’s
conclusion that there was not sufficient cred
ible evidence to justify criminal prosecution
o f Mayor Sam Adams.
At last the story ends. Adams issues a
final apology, his supporters celebrate. Re
lieved citizens reunite with goodwill towards
all. The City That Works returns to work,
and Portland enjoys a warm yet cooler than
normal summer. There is dancing in the
streets, extending the length of the popular
carless-sustainable-nude-bike-riding Cesar
Chavez Blvd.
Yeah, no. Not quite folks.
This unfortunate story is far from over.
Adams still faces a recall movement. Port
land is guaranteed a minimum o f 90 more
days o f summer angst, starting July 8, the
first day o f signature gathering.
And, to further keep Adam’s heels to the
fire, Oregon’s most famous former legislative
intern, Beau Breedlove appeared on a Port
land T V news program on July 1 proclaim
ing with ire and irritation that Adams has
been lying about details o f their relationship
from the get-go. Breedlove’s own credibility
was challenged in the A G ’s report; the next
few days will tell if this latest public exercise
in verbal nudity will result in further dam
age to Adam’s standing in the community.
Complete details o f the recall can be found
on page 14 o f this issue.
As stated above, Adams &c Co. are truly
becoming the Never-Ending Story. I now
fantasize that soon, very soon, Ashton
Kutcher pops up on the steps o f City Hall
proclaiming joyfully “Portland, you’ve been
punked.” We’ll all have a good laugh and
then turn on him with sharp objects.
The A G ’s report brought a renewed surge
o f Adams-related questions and comments
M
W orks
my way. Mayoral supporters who took the
report to mean that the matter was over took
to their favored method o f communication;
anonymous and generally unpleasant blog
post comments.
To those who chose more intelligent
forms of discourse I thank you. I am learn
ing from you. I do listen. Earlier this week
a great conversation with a local gay leader
brought forth his theory that it’s natural and
normal for the gay community to rally to the
defense of Adams. It is, after all, what a com
munity does; protects their own when under
attack. That part yes, I can see value and logic
in that. But is Adams under unprovoked at
tack or under intense scrutiny due to his own
actions? Should community reaction be the
same for both situations?
We have all spent the last five months
listening, challenging, arguing and debating
Sam Adams. We have cried,organized,fought,
lost trust, and by most accounts, grown weary
and tired. It’s summer, it’s hot, people want to
move on. Sadly, we’re not there yet.
Reiterating five months o f arguments for
and against Adams is not necessary at this
point. There are few people left standing in
the undecided column. You know what you
feel; you know what you believe.
In light o f the A G ’s report there are a
couple o f still unanswered questions that
have been asked o f me. M ost often I have
been asked if I regret, recant or apologize for
the January call for the resignation o f Port
land Mayor Sam Adams.
The answer is no.
Will there be any more calls from Just
Out for the mayor’s resignation?
The answer is no.
At this point asking for the mayor’s res
ignation is pointless. Resolution now lies in
the hands, the signatures, o f Portland voters.
50,000 signatures are needed, not to recall the
mayor, but to bring the issue to the ballot
And finally, to those who ask if I will sign
the recall petition, I say this. Folks, have we
learned nothing these last few months? My
Come explore
our showroom I j
Experience sleek,
JULY 3. 2009
answer to this question is simply, “Voting is
a personal and private matter; I have no need
or obligation to discuss this with you.”
Thanks for asking.
hile the Adams situation has
caused painful rifts in our com
munity, we have not lost our abil
ity to come together to support friends in
need. Such as been the case with activities
surrounding the “Find Veronica” movement,
the very sad case o f a stolen dog.
W
W h e th e r you w ere lo o k in g to g e t /o u r
P ride or /o u r frie d on. you c o u ld fin d p le n t/
o f b o th a t P o rtla n d s festiva l in June
FEATURE
»
IÒ
PORTLAND PRIDE RECAP
F eed b ack fro m com m u n ity leaders and
* particip an ts, an d lots o f ph otos!
NEWS
»
5
LETTERS, TRANSITIONS
7
I2
NORTHWEST BRIEFS
JUST OUT EXCLUSIVE:
Police respo n d to in ciden t at C a se y ’s
B lo w Pony dan ce n igh t d u rin g Pride
I4-
ARTS 8 CULTURE
»
Veronica is a Miniature Yorkshire Terrier
who lives and works with her family at The
Funny Bone, in downtown Portland. Owner
Gary Hopping sadly describes his missing
pet as “an icon to downtown business and
merchants.” Veronica was discovered miss
ing on Thursday June 11, about 5 p.m. In the
time since, friends, neighbors, shop owners
and strangers have come together to search,
rally, blog, post fliers and provide support for
Veronica’s distraught owners.
Veronica is a small dog lost in a big scary
world. She is dependent upon special food
and medicine. There is a large reward avail
able for her safe return. Please help find
Veronica, and let’s give ourselves something
to celebrate.
ADAMS REPORT
23
O U T 8 ABOUT
33
SPORTS
G a y volleyball league n ation als to be
h o sted in P o rtlan d in 2 0 1 0
34
PDX LESBIAN NETWORK
35
NIGHTLIFE: Invasion
COLUMNISTS
»
28
REMEMBER TO BREATHE
3I
SASSY GARDENER
39
O U T GOING
45
MS. BEHAVIOR
ON OUR COVER E ntertainers a n d artists
S ahara Dunes a n d S p le n d o ra k e p t the
C a fe S tage liv e l/ d u rin g P o rtla n d P ride
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