GorgeousBoy Account?
Recently Featured Boys
All American Guys
Gorgeous American Boys!
Tag: Mayor
0%0
The Campbell, California City Council elected Evan Low mayor of the South Bay city Tuesday, December 1. At 26, Low is believed to be the country's youngest openly gay mayor.
He is also one of the youngest Asian American mayors in the U.S. He had been serving as vice mayor for the past year, setting the stage for this week's vote.
"Generally, the vice mayor is voted in as the next mayor," explained Low.
Balancing the city's budget amid the economic troubles facing the state will be his top priority over the next year.
"Mainly, I want to make sure we maintain a fiscally sound budget and do not make any layoffs," said Low.
He also wants to increase participation in local government by streaming city meetings live online and plans to be accessible to Campbell residents outside of City Hall.
Low, a fifth-generation Californian, was elected to office in 2006, becoming the council's first Asian American member. Since then he has become active in Democratic circles nationally; he was elected in September to an at-large seat on the Democratic National Committee. In the spring he ran for the male vice chair post within the state Democratic Party against another gay candidate but conceded the race to Eric Bauman prior to the vote at the state party convention.
Last year Low served as a grand marshal in San Francisco's Pride Parade. He was threatened with being recalled from office last fall for his speaking out against Proposition 8, the ban against same-sex marriage voters passed in the November 2008 election.
Low graduated from San Jose State University with a degree in political science and is a graduate of the senior executives in local and state government program from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government where he was a Bohnett Leadership Fellow.
The Nation's Youngest Gay Mayor Elected!
The Campbell, California City Council elected Evan Low mayor of the South Bay city Tuesday, December 1. At 26, Low is believed to be the country's youngest openly gay mayor.
He is also one of the youngest Asian American mayors in the U.S. He had been serving as vice mayor for the past year, setting the stage for this week's vote.
"Generally, the vice mayor is voted in as the next mayor," explained Low.
Balancing the city's budget amid the economic troubles facing the state will be his top priority over the next year.
"Mainly, I want to make sure we maintain a fiscally sound budget and do not make any layoffs," said Low.
He also wants to increase participation in local government by streaming city meetings live online and plans to be accessible to Campbell residents outside of City Hall.
Low, a fifth-generation Californian, was elected to office in 2006, becoming the council's first Asian American member. Since then he has become active in Democratic circles nationally; he was elected in September to an at-large seat on the Democratic National Committee. In the spring he ran for the male vice chair post within the state Democratic Party against another gay candidate but conceded the race to Eric Bauman prior to the vote at the state party convention.
Last year Low served as a grand marshal in San Francisco's Pride Parade. He was threatened with being recalled from office last fall for his speaking out against Proposition 8, the ban against same-sex marriage voters passed in the November 2008 election.
Low graduated from San Jose State University with a degree in political science and is a graduate of the senior executives in local and state government program from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government where he was a Bohnett Leadership Fellow.0
Gay rights activists are calling for the mayor of Vallejo, California, to be censured after he called gay people "sinful".
Mayor Osby Davis was quoted by the New York Times as saying: “They’re [gay people] committing sin and that sin will keep them out of heaven. But you don’t hate the person. You hate the sin that they commit.”
Davis is a a devout Assemblies of God follower.
On Tuesday, he released a statement apologising for the comments.
He said: “I have worked hard to unite Vallejo and I will continue to do so. To those I have offended by my comments, I apologise. My words were taken out of context.
"I care for the entire community and my desire is to build consensus on our diversity. Let me be clear, I have and will stand against hatred, discrimination and divisiveness wherever they exist.”
Gay rights activists were not placated by the apology and have organised a rally outside the mayor's offices on December 1st.
Charles Legalos, a former planning commissioner, told the Oakland Tribune: “His comments were completely out of line. They have no place coming from a city official."
Davis won the 2007 mayoral election by two votes against former council official and out gay man Gary Cloutier.
Cloutier said he was repeatedly introduced as "a gay" and accused the council of being awash with anti-gay sentiment.
'Sinful' Gays Remark Leads To Calls For Vallejo Mayor's Censure
Gay rights activists are calling for the mayor of Vallejo, California, to be censured after he called gay people "sinful".
Mayor Osby Davis was quoted by the New York Times as saying: “They’re [gay people] committing sin and that sin will keep them out of heaven. But you don’t hate the person. You hate the sin that they commit.”
Davis is a a devout Assemblies of God follower.
On Tuesday, he released a statement apologising for the comments.
He said: “I have worked hard to unite Vallejo and I will continue to do so. To those I have offended by my comments, I apologise. My words were taken out of context.
"I care for the entire community and my desire is to build consensus on our diversity. Let me be clear, I have and will stand against hatred, discrimination and divisiveness wherever they exist.”
Gay rights activists were not placated by the apology and have organised a rally outside the mayor's offices on December 1st.
Charles Legalos, a former planning commissioner, told the Oakland Tribune: “His comments were completely out of line. They have no place coming from a city official."
Davis won the 2007 mayoral election by two votes against former council official and out gay man Gary Cloutier.
Cloutier said he was repeatedly introduced as "a gay" and accused the council of being awash with anti-gay sentiment.1
A changing of the guard took place this afternoon for Broward County, Florida as a new Mayor took the Oath of Office. Ken Keechl got his turn as Broward mayor, becoming the first openly gay person in that spot and join an elite group as one of a relatively small number of openly gay or lesbian mayors in the U.S.
Keechl is the 28th openly gay mayor in the United States, according to statistics from the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, a national political group. (The comparison isn’t exact, since many mayors are elected by all residents of the jurisdiction in question; in Broward County, Florida it rotates among county commissioners elected by district.)
But he’ll be representing one of the largest populations of any openly gay officials in the country, said Denis Dison, the Victory Fund’s vice president of communications.
“It is significant. Any time that an openly gay or lesbian person is in a political leadership role or any leadership role, it gives an opportunity for people to see them as normal human beings, people like themselves who are invested in things that the broader community cares about,” Dison said.
“That is important because it kind of puts the lie to the notion that we are somehow ‘other.’ The other side, that people who in the anti-gay industry, they have a vested interest in keeping us ‘other’ and in keeping us on the outside of the mainstream, because then it allows them to talk about us in ways that other people may not challenge.
“When you see someone like Ken who has been elected to office and is dedicating his time to everyone’s issues, not just his own, but the larger community’s interests, it really puts the lie to the notion that we are ‘other.’ And we are not. We are as concerned about education or potholes or the environment or crime. It affects us like it does everyone else,” Dison said.
Dan Pinello, a political scientist who specializes in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender politics at the City University of New York and past chairman of the LGBT caucus of the American Political Science Association, said it wouldn’t be a big deal in New York or Massachusetts.
“Especially in a state like Florida, … that’s progress where there’s a lot needed. So bravo,” Pinello said. “In places like Florida or Texas it is comparatively monumental.
“Any public officeholder who is openly gay and is known as such, who has greater, increased visibility, it is an important event,” he said. And anytime one of those public officials can “demonstrate that they’re an effective public servant and that they’re not in any way different from their heterosexual counterparts is a win for the LGBT community.
Hastings Wyman, founding editor of the Southern Political Report newsletter, also said Keechl’s new role is significant.
“I think it’s a big deal. It’s one more step in growing acceptance of gay people in public life. Also history shows that when people begin to work with gay public officials they find a much greater willingness to listen to them on gay issues,” he said.
Florida doesn’t have many openly gay public officials. The Victory Fund counts 21 in the Sunshine State, including four county commissioners and seven judges.
The state has never had an openly gay member of the Legislature. Until that happens, Dison said, “we won’t have significant change in Florida. To do that, you do have to build the bench so to speak. To do that it’s on city councils and county commissions, and it’s people like Ken.”
“It’s slow all over the South,” Wyman said, though many other Southern states have elected gay or lesbian legislators. “A lot of it has to do with the makeup of the districts. You have to have a certain base there with gay votes and sophisticated voters. It’ll happen in Florida.”
Even though he’s on the other side politically from Democrat Keechl, Benjamin Lewis, president of Broward’s largely gay Sunshine Republicans, said it’s good to have openly gay people serve prominently.
“I’d like to see more openly gay Republicans. But I welcome anyone from our community to be actively involved in all politics,” he said.
“It really doesn’t make any difference to me as long as he’s an effective leader I don’t think his sexual orientation should come into play when it means a person’s ability to lead or anything like that. I think it’s completely their ability to manage and to lead the county as necessary.
“Anybody within our community should respect the position that he’s entrusted to. If he does do a good job and everything I think he will become a role model for future people who want to become involved in our government.
28th Openly Gay Mayor In The United States Sworn In!
A changing of the guard took place this afternoon for Broward County, Florida as a new Mayor took the Oath of Office. Ken Keechl got his turn as Broward mayor, becoming the first openly gay person in that spot and join an elite group as one of a relatively small number of openly gay or lesbian mayors in the U.S.
Keechl is the 28th openly gay mayor in the United States, according to statistics from the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, a national political group. (The comparison isn’t exact, since many mayors are elected by all residents of the jurisdiction in question; in Broward County, Florida it rotates among county commissioners elected by district.)
But he’ll be representing one of the largest populations of any openly gay officials in the country, said Denis Dison, the Victory Fund’s vice president of communications.
“It is significant. Any time that an openly gay or lesbian person is in a political leadership role or any leadership role, it gives an opportunity for people to see them as normal human beings, people like themselves who are invested in things that the broader community cares about,” Dison said.
“That is important because it kind of puts the lie to the notion that we are somehow ‘other.’ The other side, that people who in the anti-gay industry, they have a vested interest in keeping us ‘other’ and in keeping us on the outside of the mainstream, because then it allows them to talk about us in ways that other people may not challenge.
“When you see someone like Ken who has been elected to office and is dedicating his time to everyone’s issues, not just his own, but the larger community’s interests, it really puts the lie to the notion that we are ‘other.’ And we are not. We are as concerned about education or potholes or the environment or crime. It affects us like it does everyone else,” Dison said.
Dan Pinello, a political scientist who specializes in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender politics at the City University of New York and past chairman of the LGBT caucus of the American Political Science Association, said it wouldn’t be a big deal in New York or Massachusetts.
“Especially in a state like Florida, … that’s progress where there’s a lot needed. So bravo,” Pinello said. “In places like Florida or Texas it is comparatively monumental.
“Any public officeholder who is openly gay and is known as such, who has greater, increased visibility, it is an important event,” he said. And anytime one of those public officials can “demonstrate that they’re an effective public servant and that they’re not in any way different from their heterosexual counterparts is a win for the LGBT community.
Hastings Wyman, founding editor of the Southern Political Report newsletter, also said Keechl’s new role is significant.
“I think it’s a big deal. It’s one more step in growing acceptance of gay people in public life. Also history shows that when people begin to work with gay public officials they find a much greater willingness to listen to them on gay issues,” he said.
Florida doesn’t have many openly gay public officials. The Victory Fund counts 21 in the Sunshine State, including four county commissioners and seven judges.
The state has never had an openly gay member of the Legislature. Until that happens, Dison said, “we won’t have significant change in Florida. To do that, you do have to build the bench so to speak. To do that it’s on city councils and county commissions, and it’s people like Ken.”
“It’s slow all over the South,” Wyman said, though many other Southern states have elected gay or lesbian legislators. “A lot of it has to do with the makeup of the districts. You have to have a certain base there with gay votes and sophisticated voters. It’ll happen in Florida.”
Even though he’s on the other side politically from Democrat Keechl, Benjamin Lewis, president of Broward’s largely gay Sunshine Republicans, said it’s good to have openly gay people serve prominently.
“I’d like to see more openly gay Republicans. But I welcome anyone from our community to be actively involved in all politics,” he said.
“It really doesn’t make any difference to me as long as he’s an effective leader I don’t think his sexual orientation should come into play when it means a person’s ability to lead or anything like that. I think it’s completely their ability to manage and to lead the county as necessary.
“Anybody within our community should respect the position that he’s entrusted to. If he does do a good job and everything I think he will become a role model for future people who want to become involved in our government.0
The sexy and hot Naked Cowboy of New York City pulled out of that city's mayoral race according to the New York Times. Most locals in NYC and tourist have observed him serenading passerbyers clad only in skimpy white briefs. He has a colorful past as does all of us. Robert Burck also known as the Naked Cowboy of Times Square has a fan club of long-time admirers who sans the decorative padded bulging 'codpiece' this street cantor has done money-shots. Naked Cowboy's entrée into the flesh market dates back as as research shows with an appearance in May 1998 and November 1996 for Playgirl magazine and in 1999 he posed for Advocate Men magazine.
Who Is This Cowboy? Robert John Burck (born December 23, 1970 in Cincinnati, Ohio), better known as the Naked Cowboy, is an American busker whose patch is on New York City's Times Square. He wears only cowboy boots, a hat, and briefs, with a guitar strategically placed to give the illusion of nudity.
Burck began busking in 1998 and first appeared on Venice Beach, Los Angeles. The public immediately gave him much of their spare change after a friend suggested to him that he dress only in his underwear in order to generate higher earnings. Burck earned a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science at the University of Cincinnati.
Though he is currently most famous as a fixture of New York City's Times Square, Burck is also a regular in the streets of the French Quarter during the New Orleans Mardi Gras season. He also makes appearances in his hometown of Cincinnati, at the Memorial Day weekend Taste of Cincinnati festival and the Riverfest Labor Day Festival. He has also made an appearance in Austin, Texas, during the South by Southwest Music Conference, and on January 25, 2009 he performed at a Leinster Rugby game in Donnybrook, Dublin, Ireland, singing his theme song "I'm the Naked Cowboy" before 18,000 spectators.
Naked Cowboy Drops Out Of Mayoral Race
The sexy and hot Naked Cowboy of New York City pulled out of that city's mayoral race according to the New York Times. Most locals in NYC and tourist have observed him serenading passerbyers clad only in skimpy white briefs. He has a colorful past as does all of us. Robert Burck also known as the Naked Cowboy of Times Square has a fan club of long-time admirers who sans the decorative padded bulging 'codpiece' this street cantor has done money-shots. Naked Cowboy's entrée into the flesh market dates back as as research shows with an appearance in May 1998 and November 1996 for Playgirl magazine and in 1999 he posed for Advocate Men magazine.
Who Is This Cowboy? Robert John Burck (born December 23, 1970 in Cincinnati, Ohio), better known as the Naked Cowboy, is an American busker whose patch is on New York City's Times Square. He wears only cowboy boots, a hat, and briefs, with a guitar strategically placed to give the illusion of nudity.
[MEDIA not found]
Burck began busking in 1998 and first appeared on Venice Beach, Los Angeles. The public immediately gave him much of their spare change after a friend suggested to him that he dress only in his underwear in order to generate higher earnings. Burck earned a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science at the University of Cincinnati.
Though he is currently most famous as a fixture of New York City's Times Square, Burck is also a regular in the streets of the French Quarter during the New Orleans Mardi Gras season. He also makes appearances in his hometown of Cincinnati, at the Memorial Day weekend Taste of Cincinnati festival and the Riverfest Labor Day Festival. He has also made an appearance in Austin, Texas, during the South by Southwest Music Conference, and on January 25, 2009 he performed at a Leinster Rugby game in Donnybrook, Dublin, Ireland, singing his theme song "I'm the Naked Cowboy" before 18,000 spectators.0
As you know, Brad Pitt made a movie in New Orleans a while ago, fell in love with the town, banged Angelina a few times while there, and started the ‘Make It Right’ organization to rebuild homes in the city following the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina.
To give back to Mr. Pitt, many of the townspeople are campaigning to have the actor elected mayor. Some have even gone so far as to have “Brad Pitt for Mayor” shirts made…which they promptly removed in order to receive strands of beads.
Pitt, however, isn’t sure the people of New Orleans will stand with him on his political platform.
Seriously boys, St. Angelina has Brad busy buying diapers and painting her toenails. He’ll have to settle something less time-consuming like city council rep. or governor of Alaska.
Brad Pitt to Legalize Gay Marriage and Pot as Mayor of New Orleans!
As you know, Brad Pitt made a movie in New Orleans a while ago, fell in love with the town, banged Angelina a few times while there, and started the ‘Make It Right’ organization to rebuild homes in the city following the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina.
To give back to Mr. Pitt, many of the townspeople are campaigning to have the actor elected mayor. Some have even gone so far as to have “Brad Pitt for Mayor” shirts made…which they promptly removed in order to receive strands of beads.
Pitt, however, isn’t sure the people of New Orleans will stand with him on his political platform.
“I’m running on the gay marriage, no religion, legalization and taxation of marijuana platform. I don’t have a chance!”I know when I think of the anti-gay Bible-belt, New Orleans comes to mind.
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Seriously boys, St. Angelina has Brad busy buying diapers and painting her toenails. He’ll have to settle something less time-consuming like city council rep. or governor of Alaska.
0
Gay Cruising - Murder?
An email sent by Maj. Khirus Williams, head of the police department’s Zone 5, at 1:10 p.m. offered more details. “This morning’s homicide, at Piedmont Park, is ‘likely’ to be ‘male-hustling’ related,” Williams wrote in an email to Midtown activist Peggy Denby. “A person found with blood stains and injuries this morning, in Midtown, is being interviewed by our Homicide Unit. “This person has claimed to have been inside of the park but has not made any confessions,” Williams continued in the email, which was obtained by Southern Voice. “The investigation continues. Our personnel are tasked with park checks throughout the night, to address ‘anyone’ being inside the park, after dark. We will continue the efforts and initiate arrests when there are violations.”When it comes to Piedmont Park, the police department has little credibility with the city’s gay population. It is, after all, the same department that harassed and arrested six gay men who walked through the park after hours on their way home from a bar. No suspects have been named in the attacks and police haven’t yet linked the incidents from Thursday morning. As the investigation continues, let’s hope they focus more on finding justice for the murder victim and less on blaming him and dismissing the homicide as simply “male-hustling related.” In a sidebar to the case, the normally reserved Georgia Log Cabin Republicans seemed to step off a cliff late Thursday. The group issued a statement calling on Mayor Shirley Franklin, whose term ends this year, to resign.
The group called on Gov. Sonny Perdue, a Republican, and the Georgia National Guard to take control of the city’s “crime mayhem” and reminded LGBT residents of their right to bear arms and use deadly force to protect themselves.The full statement, according to Southern Voice:
“It has become obvious that Mayor Shirley Franklin is incompetent to fulfill her duty and obligation to protect the citizens of Atlanta from violence. The latest rash of murders, robberies, hate crimes, and lawlessness are a direct result of her failure to provide proper protection by an effective police force. Mayor Franklin has recklessly cut the hours of our police force, which has left our citizens in grave danger, and now it’s time for her to cut her own hours permanently, we just can’t afford to wait until a new election and mayor, she must go now.” “We are also urging Governor Sonny Perdue to take control of the situation, and requesting that he order in the Georgia National Guard or Georgia State Patrol into Atlanta to help stabilize the current crime mayhem in the city.” “The Georgia Log Cabin Republicans are avid supporters of the 2nd Amendment to the United States Constitution, and want to remind our fellow citizens that our state currently lacks any effective Hate Crimes law to detour crimes against LGBT Georgians. However, the Georgia Legislature passed SB396 several years ago that allows all citizens to legally defend themselves with deadly force when necessary, without an obligation to retreat when attacked. Until our city is safe again, we recommend that Atlanta’s LGBT citizens find a way in which they are comfortable, to defend themselves, loved ones, and families from the latest crime wave out of control.” STORY BY: Blogger Matt Hennie is the founder and managing editor of Project Q Atlanta. He’s a longtime Atlanta resident who’s worked in journalism since his days as a Purple Paladin at Furman University in the early ‘90s
1
J.W. Lown, mayor of the west Texas city of San Angelo, has resigned in order to be with his partner, a Mexican national who does not currently have legal status in the United States. According to the San Angelo Standard-Times:
Lown and his partner are in Mexico awaiting a visa to come back legally. Their wait may be a very long one.
This is not an unusual problem. Under current U.S. law, American citizens can legally bring their foreign spouses and other immediate family members into the United States. But same-sex partners of U.S. citizens and permanent residents are not considered spouses — even if they are married in a state or country which allows same-sex marriage. That means countless gay and lesbian, bi-national couples are forced to remain apart unless the American partner decides to move in order to join his or her partner.
The Uniting American Families Act is intended to address the problem by allowing U.S. citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their same-sex partners for family-based immigration purposes. UAFA was introduced in Congress by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY).
Lown has dual American and Mexican citizenship. In a statement to the city council, Lown said he and his partner will come back to San Angelo once his partner obtains a visa and if “the people of San Angelo will welcome me back.” If the comments to the San Angelo Standard-Times are any indication, it appears that a very large number of San Angelinos are willing to welcome the popular mayor back with open arms.
Texas Gay Mayor Resigns
J.W. Lown, mayor of the west Texas city of San Angelo, has resigned in order to be with his partner, a Mexican national who does not currently have legal status in the United States. According to the San Angelo Standard-Times:
Lown said in a telephone call late Wednesday afternoon from Mexico that he has started a relationship with someone who does not have legal status in the United States. Lown said he did not want to take the oath of office knowing he was “aiding and assisting” someone who was not a citizen. “I made the final decision when I knew it was the right decision to make for me and my partner and our future - and for the community,” he said.The mayor was about to take the oath of office for the start of his fourth term, which he won earlier this month in a landslide election. If he had completed his fourth two-year term, he would have tied for being the longest serving mayor of San Angelo.
Lown and his partner are in Mexico awaiting a visa to come back legally. Their wait may be a very long one.
This is not an unusual problem. Under current U.S. law, American citizens can legally bring their foreign spouses and other immediate family members into the United States. But same-sex partners of U.S. citizens and permanent residents are not considered spouses — even if they are married in a state or country which allows same-sex marriage. That means countless gay and lesbian, bi-national couples are forced to remain apart unless the American partner decides to move in order to join his or her partner.
The Uniting American Families Act is intended to address the problem by allowing U.S. citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their same-sex partners for family-based immigration purposes. UAFA was introduced in Congress by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY).
Lown has dual American and Mexican citizenship. In a statement to the city council, Lown said he and his partner will come back to San Angelo once his partner obtains a visa and if “the people of San Angelo will welcome me back.” If the comments to the San Angelo Standard-Times are any indication, it appears that a very large number of San Angelinos are willing to welcome the popular mayor back with open arms.0
Gay Lover Revealed
The situation for Portland's openly gay mayor Sam Adams has gotten more dire, as the state attorney general has begun a police investigation into his relationship with his then teenage staffer. Oregon's attorney general has agreed to investigate Portland Mayor Sam Adams, who has admitted he lied to cover up an affair with a teenager in 2005. Adams took office this month, making Portland the largest U.S. city with an openly gay mayor. On Tuesday, he admitted he lied when he denied having sex with Beau Breedlove. Adams says the relationship began after Breedlove turned 18, Oregon's legal age of consent. Portland Attorney General John Kroger issued a statement Wednesday agreeing to look into "matters pertaining to Portland Mayor Sam Adams that have recently come to public attention." Support for Adams has withered even in the gay community, with the local gay paper calling for his resignation.
Headed by publisher Marty Davis, Just Out newsmagazine is asking that Portland mayor Sam Adams resign from office. 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. 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’ apology of yesterday, including specific reference to the gay community, while sincere, is not enough. The bond of trust and confidence has been broken. Adams has previously stated his hope that gay and lesbian youth might one day look to him as a role model and example. His own actions have now rendered this implausible. Adams must resign his seat as Portland’s mayor.
And just to ramp up the prurient interest in the case, gay porn site Unzipped (NSFW) has published a series of beefcake photos it harvested from the MySpace page of the staffer in question, Beau Breedlove.
On Tuesday, Breedlove issued this statement:
The past day of news coverage regarding my brief 2005 relationship with Mayor Sam Adams has been stressful, to say the least. I would like to publicly apologize to those who were negatively affected by my mishandling of the situation during the 2007 mayoral campaign. Reflecting back, I regret misleading anyone about the nature of the relationship. When the subject first surfaced during the campaign, I was living out of state and I did not anticipate the impact it might have on Portland’s mayoral campaign. While my first instinct was to tell the truth, I also wanted to protect Sam Adams' reputation, considering our valuable friendship. Sam Adams has always been a positive influence and a friend to me. He has many outstanding qualities to bring to his position as mayor of the city of Portland, and I wish nothing but the best for him. I hope this subject can ultimately be put to rest, and I sincerely believe in Sam Adams and what he can do for the city of Portland as mayor. Again, I truly apologize to those were affected by my mishandling of the situation in 2007. Sincerely, Beau Breedlove
0
New Gay Mayor
Though he was elected to replace outgoing mayor Tom Potter back in May, Portland, Ore.’s gay mayor Sam Adams was finally sworn in at 12:01 a.m. on New Year’s Day. The Oregonian reports that about 40 people were there to witness the ceremony, including his partner, Peter Zuckerman. Though Adams’s sexuality never became a factor in the race, before it officially began, he was the subject of a smear campaign from a would-be rival, gay real estate developer Bob Ball. Ball attempted to link Adams to an encounter with an underage intern -- an attempt that failed.
Portland is now the largest city in the United States with an openly gay mayor.
"This is a testament to how fair-minded Portlanders are that it wasn't an issue. I spend my time on the basic issues of life,” Adams told the Associated Press. “A part of that includes equal rights, but that's not even close to a majority of the time. My passions for public service includes promoting social justice, equality for all, but it obviously also includes finding good jobs for people, which is also part of my family's background of not being able to always have economic security. Being gay is part of me, so is being Irish-American, so is being from a small Oregon town." (Advocate.com)
0
U.S. first tranny mayor
The first time in 40 years an Oregon Senate candidate beat an incumbent Senator. And in tiny Silverton, Oregon, residents have elected the man who's believed to be the first ever openly transgender mayor in the United States.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE NEWS VIDEO
Stu Rasmussen served two terms as the Mayor of Silverton in the 1990s. But he hadn't admitted to being transgender. He's not the same man now that he was then. Today he wears a skirt and high heels. He has breast implants, and long red hair. He looks like a woman - but he's not.
"I identify mostly as a heterosexual male," Rasmussen said. "But I just like to look like a female."
Rasmussen is a man. He even has a girlfriend. He says he's always been transgender, but he only "came out" a few years ago.
With the way he looks, he wasn't sure how his run for Mayor would go.
"The first 30 seconds they think, am I in a freak show? Is there a camera behind me? What's going on here?" Rasmussen told NewsChannel 8. "And then we get down to discussing whatever the issue is - city business or business or whatever - and they figure out this guy's different, but he knows what he's talking about."
It's Rasmussen's knowledge of the issues, and of the town, that won over so many voters. As one voter said, "Stu's very devoted to this town."
Rasmussen won by a hefty margin - 13 points. It really wasn't close.
"He wants to maintain the integrity of Silverton," voter Gail Frassenei said. And she said she isn't sure Rasmussen would be elected anywhere else. "I think it's amazing a small town like this can be so open-minded, to elect someone that's made a life change."
"I'm prejudiced, but I think this is just about the coolest town on Earth," Rasmussen said, just before he broke down, a tear gently running through his eyeliner, and onto his cheek. He can't wait to take office in January. He said he's finally confident enough to be himself, as he runs his hometown, wearing his signature heels.
