Jan 30, 2009  |  By: KEVIN NAFF  | COMMENTS     

BREATHLESS PURITANS SMELLED blood in the water after news that Portland Mayor Sam Adams had an affair with an 18-year-old man. The usual right-wing bloggers are up in arms, citing Adams as further proof of the moral depravity of gay men. Self-righteous public officials in Portland are demanding resignations and investigations. The Oregonian newspaper and even the local gay paper, JustOut, called on Adams to step down.

“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,” JustOut said in its editorial.

But there is no evidence that Adams did anything illegal. He had a consensual sexual relationship with an adult man. He then lied about the affair — and encouraged the young man, Beau Breedlove, to also lie about it — after his opponent in the Portland race raised the issue in the heat of a campaign.

Adams shouldn’t have lied and he shouldn’t have coached Breedlove to lie. But no laws were broken and Adams made the right decision in staying on in his job. This is another example of hypocritical, holier-than-thou partisans trying to use sex to bring down a gay public official.

“Tomorrow, I go back [to] work as your mayor. I know I have let you down and made mistakes. I ask your forgiveness,” Adams said in a statement this week. “I believe I have a lot to offer the city I love during this time of important challenges.”

Portland residents certainly are justified in their anger and disappointment, given Adams’ admissions.
But his actions do not necessitate a resignation. JustOut wrote that it has “long admired Adams’ vision, his intelligence and his tenacity.” Those sound like just the qualities the city needs right now in the face of a crippling recession. Asking public figures to conform to a Pollyanna-ish ideal in their personal lives is a peculiarly American expectation that is wholly unattainable. Who will seek public office if they’re expected to have never had sex or made a mistake?

Further, it seems there’s a double standard at work here. President Bill Clinton and Sen. David Vitter (to name just two straight politicians) managed to hold onto their jobs, despite adultery and, in Vitter’s case, allegations of hiring a prostitute, which is an actual crime. We shouldn’t hold gay politicians to different standards of acceptable conduct.

If Adams is found to have engaged in sex with minors, then he should go immediately and face whatever penalties the law allows. But if he merely has a thing for younger guys who are legally able to give consent and do so, then we should all move on and let him get back to work for the people of Portland.