|
editorial
The truth hurts … resign Sam Adams
Published Thursday, 29-Jan-2009 in issue 1101
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
These words, immortalized by civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. in his famous 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech have been oft quoted in the recent months, as our nation’s first African-American president, President Barack Obama, was elected.
We at the Gay & Lesbian Times believe individuals should indeed be judged on the content of their character, and not their ethnicity, race, gender, age, sex, religion, or sexual orientation.
For this reason, we join the chorus of individuals, organizations, and publications calling for Portland Mayor Sam Adams to resign.
Adams, the first openly-gay mayor of a major U.S. city, recently recanted his denial of sexual relations in 2005 with a male staffer, Beau Breedlove. Adams denied the claims in 2007 when he was running for office. Adams, however, has characterized the relationship as “an error in judgment” that represents “an anomaly, not a trend.”
This is hardly a new argument.
In a post-Monica world, Americans have seemed to overlook public officials’ private dalliances. This publication called for then-President Bill Clinton’s resignation when he recanted his denial of sexual relations with a White House intern. We also joined in the growing call for New Jersey Governor James McGreevey’s resignation after his extramarital affair with an Israeli man, whom he had appointed an advisor to homeland security. McGreevey, the nation’s only openly-gay governor, initially denied the claims.
In each of these cases, the “content of the character” of the public servant was proved to be unworthy of the office to which the people had elected him. In each of these cases, it was not about whether the individual was having consensual sex, it was about a clear violation of the public’s trust. It was about rejecting the acceptance of lies for political expediency.
As a community, we may struggle with whether to pressure for Adams’ resignation, if for no other reason than the mayoral glass ceiling he shattered by being out and elected. After all, young GLBT youth need role models. While Hollywood and athletic fields remain deeply closeted, the recent increase in openly-gay public officials gives our young people hope – hope that demands accountability.
Many have asked, “Because she is a woman, does she have to be twice as good at her job?”
Many have asked, “Because he is black, does he have to be twice as good at his job?”
Some may ask, “Because he is gay, does he have to be twice as good at his job?”
The answers are, of course, “No,” “No,” and “No.”
However, we believe public figures, specifically those who seek to be public figures, have a moral obligation to the communities from which they come and which they take pride in representing. This obligation is simple: If you seek to be a role model, act like one. Be transparent and honest. And, most of all, demand integrity of yourself out of respect for those who look to you as an example.
Through the years, we have taken issue with openly gay San Diego officials, such as former-City Councilmember and now-State Senator Christine Kehoe and former-City Councilmember and Deputy Mayor Toni Atkins. But these differences were public policy differences. They were differences of what we believed to be right or wrong with respect to their voting records.
At no time did we, or the GLBT community for that matter, ever question Kehoe and Atkins were prepared to be role models, not simply based on their sexual orientation, but based on their character. We have never been led to doubt their integrity, to wonder what they would lie about in order to gain political capital. Nor do we expect to have to question the character of newly-elected openly gay City Councilmen Todd Gloria and Carl DeMaio.
However, when a public servant lies during an election out of fear the truth will jeopardize his or her chances at gaining political office, as Adams has done, then that bond of trust is broken with the citizens. We should not over-look it out of deference to someone who is gay or lesbian. In fact, we should do just the opposite, and hold members of our community accountable because they are gay or lesbian. Our community deserves role models of integrity.
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
While we bask in the rights and equality that this dream has, we must also be cognizant of the responsibility that it demands.
In the end, we must ask ourselves, “Because he is an elected official, does he have to be twice as good?”
The answer is, of course, “Yes.”
Steve S
says:
A quote from the above editorial..."While we bask in the rights...we must
also be cognizant of the responsibility that it demands."
Jan 29, 2009 2:19 PM
RecallSamAdams.com
says:
Dear Editors,
Jan 29, 2009 2:19 PM
JP
says:
I agree with the editorial and the position of www.RecallSamAdams.com
Jan 29, 2009 2:37 PM
Hillcrest Voter
says:
When will our coumunity back NICOLE for political office?
Jan 29, 2009 3:05 PM
Mike
says:
To Hillcrest Voter:
Jan 30, 2009 6:45 AM
Eric
says:
Sorry, but I'd vote for Bill Clinton and Sam Adams again today. Many
politicians lie about personal behavior and if that behavior is NOT
illegal, then I really don't care. We are practically the only country in
the world that treats their politcians like tabloid fodder and I am sick of
it.
Jan 30, 2009 8:33 AM
Glenn Franco Simmons
says:
There should not be a double-standard between gays and straights.
Jan 30, 2009 11:22 AM
Nicole's #1 Fan
says:
LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!
Jan 30, 2009 12:32 PM
Wolf
says:
Dear Gay and Lesbian Times Editorial Staff.
Jan 30, 2009 2:34 PM
portland native
says:
Like many Portlanders, I'm bewildered by the depth and breadth of Sam
Adams'
Jan 30, 2009 3:02 PM
Miles
says:
I live in Portland, and I'm very proud to have Sam Adams as my Mayor. I
support him staying 100%.
Jan 30, 2009 5:57 PM
charles pratt
says:
I wish this affair were only perceived as improper behavior by an elected official, but whenever there are large numbers of people with prejudices and political motivations, they will seize on and exploit examples that reinforce their prejudices and hateful attitudes. When prominent people particularly elected officials, from the LGBT community or any other community facing widespread prejudice are indiscrete then it hurts everybody in that community. Not fair maybe, but things are what they are. Until we all treat each other as fellow humans and not some "other" and particularly a despised "other" then I believe there will be a higher standard for folks like Sam Adams. He has disappointed and hurt us all.
Jan 31, 2009 7:04 AM
This story is now closed for comments. Commenting is available only on stories in the current week's issue. |
Uptown Publications and the Gay & Lesbian Times recently moved from its University Heights location to a new office space in Mission Valley. The new location boasts a modern new look and improved layout for the inner office workings of the media company. The new space offers upgraded surroundings and a new and fresh start for San Diego's premiere GLBT news source. Our new address is:
Feed updated every Thursday
|
Subscribe via RSSCopyright © 2003-2010 Uptown Publications
