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As a member of the queer community, I'm really disappointed in Sam. We have worked a long time to show the validity of our consenting, adult relationships. Our merit for the same rights and privileges as heterosexuals is based on our implied agreement to respect the rules in sexual relationships around authority and age of consent that we expect heterosexuals to respect.
I think that the best thing to do now is to cooperate with an investigation, which Mr. Adams has said that he will do. He was elected to represent everyone in Portland, and that includes people who only tolerate his sexuality or are uncomfortable with it. We in the gay community can't put our desire for equality and respect ahead of the process in which the whole community investigates and decides what to do about the revelation.
It will be very disappointing if Mr. Adams loses his position over this, but it's better to deal now with the outrage of those who are not in favor of our equality than to leave it to simmer. It is through accepting that equal rights include both privileges and responsibilites will we ultimately achieve those rights. If this situation represents excessive scrutiny of one public homosexual, it is better to accept the scrutiny than to defend ourselves against it as if we have something to hide.

posted 3 years, 4 months ago
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