Holding LGBT elected sorts to the same standard....

I ran across (on IRC, of all places) a young gentleman who's launched a new blog in support of beleaguered Portland Mayor Sam Adams, the newly sworn in Mayor of Portland who as a a member of the City Council groomed a 17yo boy for playmate status subsequent to his 18th birthday.

Now, as a gay man, I'm almost always pleased (even as I often shudder at their policies) when LGBT folks achieve political firsts getting elected to this and that office across the land. Public demonstrations that with a bit of gumption, effort, and years of industrial strength determination that anyone can get elected is, in general, a good thing and tends to erode various sorts of bigotry - and I like that.

Surprisingly enough, the Portland gay paper Just Out agrees with me, and is joined by mainstream Portland paper, The Oregonian, in calling for Adams resignation, accompanied by the Portland Tribune. And the Oregon Attorney General, John Kroger, is getting a bit curious as well. In related news, the Portland Q Center event "The Mayors Ball" has mysteriously morphed into a Winter Gala.

However, let us look at this blog's mission statement:

1) Consensual sex between adults does not impact one's ability to serve in public office;

Well, unless its' between an employer and employee or perhaps involved all but the formality of "happy naked time" occuring during the younger parties period of employment and as a minor.

2) The personal affairs of gay officials face a level of scrutiny that is not equal to that of their heterosexual counterparts;

Perhaps, perhaps not. Certainly Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick would disagree. And certainly affairs stop being entirely personal (gay or straight) when they expose the city to substantial liability (sexual harassment, anyone?). Points for artfulness tho' - the "we is oppressed and needs special treatment" meme is well-executed - but wouldn't "No official, gay or straight, should engage in this conduct" be a bit more....well-considered?

3) We acknowledge Sam Adams's dishonesty in this matter and do not endorse it;

Only his dishonesty? Creating liability on that scale would also indicate spectacularly poor judgement, on the scale of that of former Spokane Mayor Jim West - who certainly couldn't be described as a liberal. By proposing that Adams' remain in office, you effectively ringingly endorse both his poor judgement and deceit.

4) Sam Adams is the person we want to lead our city.

Why? Shouldn't he be held to the same standard as other politicians who've been caught with their pants about their proverbial ankles, if only in the name of LGBT equality? Equality doesn't, after all, mean you just get the benefits - it means that when things go wrong, you get just as smeared with the nasty stuff as any other politician!

My reply to the blogs initial post, of a rally for the "poor embattled Mayor" is below. I'd suggest readers (all three of them) pop over and offer comments and analysis on developing events and posts there. It would be atypical for a liberal to actually leave criticism, especially harsh criticism, of their candidate up - but who knows? Perhaps this one has principles.

No mayor, regardless of gender/color/orientation/age/creed/etc, should be boinking their own staff - certainly not direct reports, and especially not interns.

As in the above, no mayor should be spending time grooming a 17yo as a playmate, with a "very special birthday present" planned.

That the players were gay is simply irrelevant to me - the events show poor restraint, bad analysis of potential consequences, and expose the city to charges of sexual harassment (Employer on Employee) and sexual harassment of a minor (see: "grooming). Grossly irresponsible.

It does not matter whether the players involved were boy-boy, boy-girl, girl-boy, or girl-girl.

It is equally bad in each arrangement above.

It appears that Adams best course is a quiet resignation and retirement from politics. The best course from the Portland LGBT community is to repudiate Adams actions as irresponsible and not representative of the community - just as we would were the players non-LGBT.

We don't gain when we create or advocate for set-asides such as "but he/she's liberal/lgbt/etc".

Let Adams slink off into the night, and our community seek a standard bearer who is - if not less flawed, at least uses better judgment.

Update: New website dedicated to Adams recall or resignation.