Portland's LGBT
publication is calling for the city's recently elected
gay mayor, Sam Adams, to resign after he admitted last
week to lying during his campaign about a
relationship he had with a teenage boy who may have
been a minor at the time.
"By his own
admission, by committing the act of lying to the citizens
of Portland, Adams has failed to show the principled
character that this publication feels is a basic
requirement for an elected official," said an editorial posted on Just
Out's website. "Just Out acknowledges that over
his two decades as a public servant Adams has risen to
become one of Oregon's most revered openly gay
leaders. This publication has long admired Adams'
vision, his intelligence and his tenacity. Ultimately
we have concluded that these qualities cannot overcome
the weakness revealed in Adams' recent
admission."
Adams, who is the
first out person to be elected mayor of a top-30 city,
admitted to having intimate relations with legislative
intern Beau Breedlove, who was 17 when the two met in
2004. But Adams said their relationship didn't become
sexual until Breedlove turned 18. Oregon's attorney
general launched an investigation into the matter Tuesday.
Adams remains
undecided about whether to resign or continue on as mayor.
"I've not made my
mind up," Adams told The Oregonian. "I still haven't
determined whether it's in the city's best interest
for me to stay or go." (Advocate.com)