Portland's New Gay Mayor

Portland, Oregon is now the largest American city with an openly gay mayor. 45 year old Sam Adams was sworn into office New Year's Day at Portland City Hall during a ceremony attended by a crowd that included his mother and his partner.

Adams won the job seven months ago in a primary race by capturing 58% of the vote and therefore negating the need for a runoff election. None of Adams' opponents raised his sexuality in the race. Neither did he.

"This is a testament to how fair-minded Portlanders are that it wasn't an issue," Adams said. "I spend my time on the basic issues of life. A part of that includes equal rights, but that's not even close to a majority of the time."

Sam Adams grew up in a working-class household that he said was at times dependent on food stamps and subsidized housing. Just as being a gay man drives much of his political activism, he said, his working-class background influences his ambitions as mayor.

"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," he said. "Being gay is part of me, so is being Irish-American, so is being from a small Oregon town."

Adams served 11 years as chief of staff to Mayor Vera Katz and was elected in 2004 to the City Council.

Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Comments

[Jim]

Honey, the mayor needs a haircut. Just look at the fuzz reaching over his collar. I like my men smooth...