When you mix queer drama and local politics what do you get? Some pretty interesting news for a city that keeps it weird. […]
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When you mix queer drama and local politics what do you get? Some pretty interesting news for a city that keeps it weird. […] In another edition of gays thanking gays, all those gays at City Hall have helped created a video of Portland Mayor Sam Adams taking a moment to thank Portlandia for creating jobs and boosting tourism by mocking us. Don’t worry, this proves we’re in on the joke. Directed by Paul Peterson VFX by Chris Herrick Animation by Paul & Chris Continue reading » Mayor Sam Adams announced this morning at City Hall that the encampment of the Portland occupation is scheduled to close at 12:01 am Sunday morning. The Portland occupation has been a relatively peaceful one, setting an example for the rest of the country. However, lately there have been safety concerns from the Chief of the police (Mike Reese) and Adams himself. Chapman and Lownsdale squares will remain closed after Saturday while repairs to the parks are made. During this time and after, all city laws and park violations will be enforced. Commissioner Nick Fish and the mayor both urged people in the camp who need shelter and services to call the city’s human services hotline at 2-1-1. Continue reading » In a press release issued today by the Mayor’s office Sam Adams has said that he will not be running for re-election, turning the 2012 race into wide open contest. After a soul-searching staycation Adams has come to believe that this choice is better for both the city of Portland and for him personally. He acknowledges that it would be a tough race, though not un-winnable, saying that it would take away too much time from making the city a better place while he is still in office. He also takes some time out to point out what he has done for the city, and to thank those who have helped him along the way. Adams has not endorsed any other candidate, although two have already thrown their hats in the ring, New Seasons co-founder Eileen Brady and former city commissioner Charlie Hales. Last week Multnomah County Chairman Jeff Cogen announced that he will not enter the Portland mayoral race, ending months of speculation. Despite the many trials and tribulations of Sam’s time as chief Portlander I gotta say I will miss having a big gay bike rider in the big city seat. You can read the entire press release after the break and listen to Adams talking with Willamette Week in the podcast player below. Continue reading » Oregon State Representative, and out lesbian, Tina Kotek is a good sport. She wants to help raise money for Basic Rights Oregon as part of their summer organizing campaign. So here’s to hoping that our Mayor Sam Adams is also a good sport (and from what I’ve seen I think he is), because Kotek has thrown down the gauntlet, saying,
It’s a lofty goal for 7 days or less to be sure, but even meager contributions help get us on the path to 7500. Continue reading » I was looking for some pictures of Portland Pride of yesteryear and realized that I haven’t been doing this for 4 years but 6! And I’m talking about covering Pride, not just attending it. That’s been an even longer road…shoot…17 years. Sweet Jesus. It must be the nostalgic Cancer in me but in the spirit of more psyching up for this weekend I thought it might be fun to revisit some qPDX recaps while you’re still stuck at your weekday desk. (Or I could just be indulging my own vanity…whatever). So follow me back in time…. 2005 Re-Pride – This was the first year of qPDX as well as my first year at OregonLive. I was fresh-faced and unsullied by cynicism. I’d only started qPDX a month or so before and I was just excited to have a venue. I also remember by boss trying to be fatherly but really just being condescending by making sure I felt safe enough to start a blog about queer topics and use my real name. Weird. Continue reading » Good news today from the Mayor’s office: Today, Mayor Sam Adams, with the co-sponsorship of every member of Portland City Council, brought forward and unanimously passed transgender-inclusive healthcare for City of Portland employees. The City of Portland values diversity, and strives to be an equitable and diverse employer. Adding transgender inclusive benefits truly recognizes the importance of all employees covered under the City’s health plan. The Mayor believes this action is about keeping and attracting the best and the brightest, in addition to being about basic fairness. “To the trans community of Portland, who each and every day makes this city a better place, it is my honor and privilege to serve on a city council that can bring an ounce of fairness in return,” Mayor Adams said. All Commissioners offered passionate commentary. Commissioner Amanda Fritz said: “I appreciate living in a city and serving on a City Council where we look at what is the right thing to do…even though it may not be politically popular.” Continue reading » Twitter was all abuzz yesterday with with the news that Mayor Sam Adams has issued a press release proposing trans-inclusive health care coverage for city employees (well, that and the the Stumptown Coffee sellout). Some called him an “idiot” while others backed him up saying that if supporting fairness made you an idiot they’d gladly be one. You can read the entire statement below: This week, Mayor Sam Adams is filing an ordinance for City Council on June 8 that would add trans-inclusive health care benefits, including sexual reassignment surgery, to one of the plans offered to City of Portland employees. The American Medical Association (AMA) has identified transgender health care as being medically necessary. In 2008, the AMA passed a resolution supporting public and private health insurance coverage for treatment of gender identity disorder and opposing the “exclusions of coverage for treatment of gender identity disorder when prescribed by a physician.” Continue reading » Yesterday Mayor Sam Adams released a statement concerning Sunday’s bias crime against 2 men holding hands: “On Sunday evening, May 22, two men were attacked by several suspects as they walked, holding hands, from the Hawthorne Bridge on the trail to the East Bank Esplanade, on the east end of the bridge. The victims were pushed, and hit in the head, face, back and ribs. The suspects ran away after one of the victims broke away and called 911. Portland Police detectives have interviewed both victims, and a Portland Police Bias Crime Detective has been assigned to this case. Full details on the case can be found at PortlandPolice.com. Continue reading » Mayor Sam Adams is a good sport. Portland is irreverent and expects its mayor to match our weirdness step for step. So when Stumptown Comics hosted a contest to dress up the Mayor as a superhero he was all about it. He’s just thankful to be fully clothed, even if it does mean several layers of spanks. Not sure that’s something I need to know about our city-leader-in-chief but there you have it. Continue reading » |
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