Sex scandal divides Portland and its gay community

[TaylorMade]

PORTLAND, Ore. – A confession by Portland's first openly gay mayor that he lied about having sex with a teenager is dividing this famously progressive city, as well as its gay community.

Just three weeks after Sam Adams was sworn in, many gays are questioning whether he is the man they want as their trailblazer.

"Sam has been our guy forever, which makes this even harder," said Marty Davis, publisher of the newspaper Just Out, which has called for his resignation. "It's completely dividing and tearing our community right down the middle."

Portland's progressive reputation is based on its dedication to eco-friendly buildings, its large network of bike paths, an expanding mass transit system and the city's welcoming attitude toward gays and lesbians, which was reflected in Adams' easy victory in last year's election.

Adams took office on Jan. 1, making Portland the largest U.S. city with an openly gay mayor. But the community's image is taking a beating over the sex scandal.

It started earlier this week when the 45-year-old Adams admitted to an alternative newspaper, Willamette Week, that he lied during his election campaign when he denied having sex in 2005 with a teenage male who was a legislative intern.


The Rest of the Story (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090123/ap_on_re_us/portland_s_mayor)

[TaylorMade]

If Foley had to resign, so should this guy.

*Taylor*

[frikidiki]

Portland's BS isn't my business, and polishitics isn't my hobby, but on principle, I have to agree with people who are calling for his resignation. He did something naughty and covered it up to ensure it didn't screw up his bid. On the other hand, if he is such a good mayor and repentant, he might just get that second chance, which from a city biz point of view might be better in the long run for Portland. Ultimately, I think he should not resign, but should allow the people to decide his fate on this term, and in any case should not seek reelection (of course, any good politishitician would be stupid not to tap such a brain for getting stuff done).

I wonder how many people who are standing against him now are disillusioned primarily because their Golden Boy pulled a politics-as-usual. People can be unreasonably idealistic about things (ie, ignoring reality and the human factor). This goes for both sides, of course.

[azirish]

Foley was only under the "microscope" because he had a "R" next to his name. Liberal Democrats have no standards. Barney Frank can run an escort agency from his home in the metro DC area..and he is safe from any critic. Make rules for mortage companies that his former "lover" benefit from...no outrage. I grew up in Washington DC, I know the "rules".



If Foley had to resign, so should this guy.

*Taylor*

[Toad82]

I don't know all of what is being said in other states but here in Oregon the media is making a huge deal out of it for ratings and selling papers. So far the only thing they have on Mayor Adams is he lied. The man he was with was eighteen at the time so at this time this is not a crime, but just people playing politics. Under the ethics rules he may get in trouble, but even at this time no one knows if he will. After all he came out about himself, in his own way.

As for Foley and Frank this is a bit more than different. Foley got in trouble for it being with under aged boys and Frank was found unknowing of wrong doing. There have been in the past Dem’s that have had the same thing done to them as Foley, its just people forget. Adams was an idiot for lying and Adams was an idiot for saying at the time that this is what they do to gay people running for office that have a chance of winning.

The people that want him out of office are mostly the ones that never wanted him there in the first place and the ones that feel betrayed. I think he will whether this and I hope he does. Portland needs a great Mayor and I think he might be it. In his own way Adams is a local Obama. The feeling of “hate” from non-supporters and feelings of betrayal from supporters are stronger because he was “The One.”


RJ:lokai:

[12voltman59]

Well the fact is---you can lie about a war and that is fine--but lie about sex--even if its legal and consensual while not exactly otherwise wise or "moral" and your political career is toast---the guy might as well get it over--step down ASAP because that is the final outcome--might as well get it behind for all involved and let the community get on with what needs to be faced in these ever grimer economic times.

[nothings5d]

Adams was an idiot for lying and Adams was an idiot for saying at the time that this is what they do to gay people running for office that have a chance of winning.

Seems to me that he's not an idiot for lying, more like an idiot for eventually telling the truth. Most accurately though, he's an idiot for ever answering the question, regardless of whether he lied or not. So long as nothing illegal is going on it's his business who he has sex with so he shouldn't have dignified any question about it with a response.

[vintagehonda]

If a gay or bisexual man with a regular life had even consensual sex with a fifteen year old boy, he would probably get prison time upon a criminal conviction. In California, mandatory registration as a sex offender with his address listed and published, a GPS tracking bracelet, and movement restrictions, with the threat of re-incarceration would follow him for many years.

Why should a popular mayor be treated any less severely. Indeed, if he used the cover of his office to influence the situation then the punishment should be more severe.

And, if the cover of office were used as an influence or shield in any way then the City of Portland should be liable for any civil penalties the victim might seek later.

Adults having sex with children should be severely punished and controlled; figures of authority should be more severely punished and controlled. Institutions that create or allow conditions permitting such criminality should be civilly liable to the victims.

I have a good friend who's out and inspired by her I'm exploring possibilities regarding my sexuality. Do we really need this kind of nonsense complicating our lives?

[nothings5d]

If a gay or bisexual man with a regular life had even consensual sex with a fifteen year old boy, he would probably get prison time upon a criminal conviction.

See below...


So far the only thing they have on Mayor Adams is he lied. The man he was with was eighteen at the time so at this time this is not a crime, but just people playing politics.

Nuff said...

[Toad82]

Seems to me that he's not an idiot for lying, more like an idiot for eventually telling the truth. Most accurately though, he's an idiot for ever answering the question, regardless of whether he lied or not. So long as nothing illegal is going on it's his business who he has sex with so he shouldn't have dignified any question about it with a response.



I agree with what you wrote, but what I meant was he makes all of us look bad with what he said. He talked about how gays get smeared with we can't be around young people without it turning sexual when he knew damn well he already had sex with the guy. For that I feel he is an idiot. You can't talk about being a victim of broad slander when in your case everything that was said was true.


RJ:lokai:

[Toad82]

If a gay or bisexual man with a regular life had even consensual sex with a fifteen year old boy, he would probably get prison time upon a criminal conviction. In California, mandatory registration as a sex offender with his address listed and published, a GPS tracking bracelet, and movement restrictions, with the threat of re-incarceration would follow him for many years.

Why should a popular mayor be treated any less severely. Indeed, if he used the cover of his office to influence the situation then the punishment should be more severe.

And, if the cover of office were used as an influence or shield in any way then the City of Portland should be liable for any civil penalties the victim might seek later.

Adults having sex with children should be severely punished and controlled; figures of authority should be more severely punished and controlled. Institutions that create or allow conditions permitting such criminality should be civilly liable to the victims.

I have a good friend who's out and inspired by her I'm exploring possibilities regarding my sexuality. Do we really need this kind of nonsense complicating our lives?

Although Nothings already said it I am going to say it again.

1) The man was 18 at the time (unless it has come out today that that was a lie.

2) He want to have sex with Adams when they met and he was 17, but Adams made him wait.

3) There was no force as some are saying. They were both already sexuality active be fore they met.

4) Adams was not in office of Mayor yet. He never used his office to help him lie.

[MetaSexual2]

This is by all accounts completely consensual sex between two adults. The mayor is openly gay and was not directly in a position of power concerning the intern. Other than the fact that he lied about it, there isn't an issue here... but he shouldn't have been asked about it in the first place. It was bad judgement on his part to acknowledge the questions at all, but this should in no way be a cause for resignation. This shouldn't be about party affiliation, this is a gay witch hunt, and should be clearly acknowledged as such.

Foley was an utterly different case. He repeatedly, aggressively and obnoxiously solicited underage congressional pages, in some cases clearly against the pages desires. He crossed the line over and over again.

Its extremely disappointing to see members of the LBGT community buying into the ridiculous schlock being put out by the media on this.

[meteast chick]

Okay, so the man lied. That's SOOO unusual for politicians, isn't it? I mean, c'mon people, I live in ILLINOIS!!!

That being said, poo poo on the man for lying, but who cares? If the kid was 18, then they were both adults and big f'ing deal. If he was under 17, then away the mayor goes like the Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz.

Foley...forget resignation, the man should have been prosecuted for child molestation.

love and kisses,
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
meteast

[TaylorMade]

Okay, so the man lied. That's SOOO unusual for politicians, isn't it? I mean, c'mon people, I live in ILLINOIS!!!

That being said, poo poo on the man for lying, but who cares? If the kid was 18, then they were both adults and big f'ing deal. If he was under 17, then away the mayor goes like the Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz.

Foley...forget resignation, the man should have been prosecuted for child molestation.

love and kisses,
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
meteast

Thing with Foley is no one proved he did anything wrong... just like with this guy.

*Taylor*

[meteast chick]

Thing with Foley is no one proved he did anything wrong... just like with this guy.

I don't know about Foley. I didn't see the age of the girl in question displayed, only saying 'underage'. I only guessed that was underage by the state's legal standpoint, and if I'm wrong, I stand corrected.

I just don't understand what sexual orientation has to do with it. It shouldn't, but then again, this is the country we live in.

;) meteast

[Toad82]

Thing with Foley is no one proved he did anything wrong... just like with this guy.

*Taylor*

They had emails that were partly shown on the news at the time. Even if he never had sex with them he still tried. If I remeber right didn't Foley say he was abused, whiched caused a drinking problem, which caused him to write the emails? Also didn't Foley stepdown on his own? Nothing has been shown for Adams doing anything wrong besides the lying and he outed himself on that so what is the chance of him having broke the law.