Gay on gay political smearing?

It’s no secret that openly gay Commissioner Sam Adams is likely to run for mayor now that Potter has announced he will not return. Many would even call him the heir apparent. If he did win he would become the first openly gay mayor of a top-40 U.S. city.

Ross William Hamilton / The Oregonian

It’s also well known that he may have a challenger in the also openly gay Pearl District developer Bob Ball. All banter about queeny catfights aside, there is certainly bound to be political aggression, even in the normally peaceful little village of Portland. But today’s rumor-spreading has been called a lot more than just campaigning. It’s been called a political assassination attempt. And it ain’t lookin’ too pretty for anyone involved. Because Ball has made accusations (innuendo?) that friendly Commissioner Sam got a little too friendly with 17 year old intern.

However, unlike the recent Mark Foley scandal, there is no smoking IM and the young man, now 20, also denies that anything of a romantic nature occurred. In general I try to keep an open mind but this does sound more like digging for dirt on a popular politician than trying to keep a young person safe. Because, in fact, that is why Sam Adams claims he befriends young people (and even adults) struggling to come out. He is a very public figure, very much a success, and very much gay. That certainly makes him a target, which another prominent gay figure would certainly recognize. To exploit that is tantamount to exploiting gay people.

Contrast that to Adams’ desire to help the queer community, even if it does not further his career. I know many people that work with queer young people. And it certainly is a fine line you walk when attempting to help and befriend them. But they need mentors. And we live in a culture that is often scared to put youth and adults together. But we have to remember that mentoring, friendship, and queer life are not all about sex. I’m glad we have a politician like Sam Adams that cares about our depression and suicide-prone queer youth. He’s being quite open and forthright about the accusations. He’s written an open letter to Portland in his blog.

What do you think? Scandal for scandal’s sake? Does Ball have legitamite concerns that need to be addressed? Should politicians never interact with youth? Is he being targeted because he’s gay and/or because the news has been filled with gay scandal lately? Are Adam’s hipster cool spectacles fabulous or tired?

I have a thing for glasses myself.