Equality
Sam's Remarks at PFLAG
Warren JimenezPFLAG, Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, held their Northwest Regional Conference over the weekend. PFLAG promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons, their families and friends through: support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public; and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights...
Posted by Warren Jimenez on April 24, 2006
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Filed Under Equality, Front Page
The City should extend its equal benefits law
Jesse BeasonLet me tell you about Kelly and Dolores. They've been a family for 17 years. While Dolores works as an electrician, Kelly stays at home to care for their 4-year-old son, Avery, and newborn baby girl, Evan. Dolores' health care policy covers employees, married spouses, biological children, stepchildren, adopted children and anyone an employee is caring for such as siblings, parents, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. But the policy does not cover domestic partners. It does not cover Kelly, her partner of nearly two decades. This is wrong...
Posted by Jesse Beason on April 10, 2006
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Filed Under Equality, Front Page, Good Government, News, Our Initiatives
Town Hall on Equal Benefits
Jesse BeasonSam is holding a Town Hall to answer questions and get further input on our proposed Equal Benefits Ordinance. Adding accountability to Portland’s non-discrimination policies, the Equal Benefits Ordinance would require city contractors to provide access to partner benefits equally. If a contractor offers benefits to the spouses of their employees, the ordinance would ensure they also offer benefits to the domestic partners of their employees...
Posted by Jesse Beason on March 22, 2006
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Filed Under Equality, Events, Front Page
BLOG: Little has been done recently to help Oregon’s GLBTQ community
Sam AdamsMy remarks to the Oregon Queer Youth Conference, Saturday February 25, 2006, 10:00 AM, Catlin Gabel School: In the past year, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community (LGBTQ) has achieved strides in acceptance with the popular movies like, “Brokeback Mountain” and with critical recognition for other queer-themed movies...
Posted by Sam Adams on February 25, 2006
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Filed Under Blog, Equality, Front Page
CommissionerSam.com blogger suggestion leads to OLCC investigation
Jane AmesAn August 17, 2005 Willamette Week newspaper article reported a string of shootings outside a downtown nightclub. Mr. Rami Makaboul, the club manager, was reported to have included racist comments about where black citizens should and shouldn't recreate and he also indicated an OLCC (Oregon Liquor Control Commission) employee had...
Posted by Jane Ames on December 29, 2005
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Filed Under 2005 Year-in-Review, Equality
Equality, Please: Lobbying for Civil Unions
Jesse BeasonElection Day 2004 was bittersweet for many of us. While Sam had managed an astounding come back in the campaign to win a seat on Portland's City Council, Oregonian's resoundingly voted discrimination into our state's constitution with the passage of Constitutional Amendment 36. Sam vowed to continue advocating for a...
Posted by Jesse Beason on December 20, 2005
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Filed Under 2005 Year-in-Review, Equality
Weighing Equal Benefits
Jesse BeasonEverybody should be treated equally, period. Ensuring equal treatment, however, can be complex. Consider, for instance, that the City of Portland has policies against discrimination in employment on the basis of, among other things, marital status and sexual orientation. However, contractors who do work with the City currently can treat...
Posted by Jesse Beason on December 19, 2005
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Filed Under 2005 Year-in-Review, Equality
The Equal Benefits Ordinance
Jesse BeasonThis post has been updated. Our office is considering asking City Council to join 13 or so other cities and counties in enacting an Equal Benefits Ordinance, which in this acronymonious world of City-speak quickly becomes shortened to EBO. The EBO prohibits the City from entering into certain contracts or...
Posted by Jesse Beason on December 9, 2005
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Filed Under Equality, Front Page, Our Initiatives
City Council Supports Plan for Urban Natives
Warren JimenezToday, City Council unanimously passed a resolution to support the Urban Indian Regional Strategic Plan “Restoring a Cultural System of Plenty” to reducing poverty in the Urban Native American population. With funding provided by the Northwest Area Foundation, community members in Portland, Seattle, Rapid City, and Billings have been able...
Posted by Warren Jimenez on November 23, 2005
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Filed Under Education, Equality, Front Page, Housing, Jobs & Economy, Our Initiatives, Workforce
1st Annual Gathering, Oregon Native American Chamber
Warren JimenezOn October 1st, Sam was the featured speaker for the Oregon Native American Chamber of Commerce 1st Annual Gathering. It was a wonderful evening of Native American drumming and dancing as well as networking with business owners. Here is Sam's speech: Good Evening. I am deeply honored to have been...
Posted by Warren Jimenez on October 3, 2005
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Filed Under Equality, Jobs & Economy
Celebrate Preservation in Portland
Maria Thi MaiPlease join us in honoring preservation in Portland at the gay and lesbian reception in Portland's historic City Hall (1220 SW 4th Ave, between Madison and Jefferson), September 28, 8pm. This event will feature Commissioner Sam Adams. This reception is part of the National Preservation Trust Conference being held at...
Posted by Maria Thi Mai on September 23, 2005
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Filed Under Arts & Culture, Equality, Events
Sam helps to launch Sneak Peek at new Q Center
Greg LeiherCommissioner Adams kicked off the Sneak Peek of the emerging Q Center on Thursday, September 15 at Bluehour by reminding those attending of its need and inviting them to invest in the new venture. When I was a gay teenager in high school in Newport, I was alone and lonely....
Posted by Greg Leiher on September 19, 2005
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Filed Under Equality
Portland Race for the Cure Draws 45,000
Sam AdamsWow! 45,000 people walk this morning in the 14th annual Portland Race for the Cure to benefit the The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation of Oregon. This makes Portland’s Race for the Cure one of the biggest Races in the United States. The Foundation was established in 1982 by...
Posted by Sam Adams on September 18, 2005
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Filed Under Equality, Front Page
BLOG: LISTOS Alternative Learning Center
Sam AdamsAs I enrolled in the University of Oregon, my college academic adviser gave me the following advice: take lots of critical thinking courses; get an internship in the real world and learn a language other than English. So, my first term, I signed up for Philosophy 101. It included wonderful...
Posted by Sam Adams on August 31, 2005
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Filed Under 100 Hours, Education, Equality, Workforce
OLCC Director: "I am committed to investigating this matter fully..."
Sam AdamsUPDATE: The OLCC responded to my inquiry. You can download a copy of their letter to...
Posted by Sam Adams on August 25, 2005
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Filed Under Equality, Front Page, Good Government
To Teresa L. Kaiser, Director, Oregon Liquor Control Commission: Request for Inquiry into Comments Allegedly Made...
Sam AdamsCOPY August 20, 2005 TO: Teresa L. Kaiser, Director Oregon Liquor Control Commission 9079 S. E. McLoughlin Blvd Milwaukie, OR 97222 FROM: Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams RE: Request for Inquiry into Comments Allegedly Made by Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) Investigator In the Wednesday, 8/17/2005 issue, the Willamette Week...
Posted by Sam Adams on August 25, 2005
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Filed Under Equality
To Mr. Makboul: I strongly disagree with your statement...
Sam AdamsAs reported in the Willamette Week newspaper, Wednesday, 8/17/2005: As the frenzy continues over the recent string of downtown shootings, Portland's top hip-hop club, the Vue, is upsetting African-Americans with its plan to remake itself into a newer, whiter venue.Club manager Rami Makboul outlined the thinking in an email he...
Posted by Sam Adams on August 18, 2005
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Filed Under Equality
Local reaction to Civil Unions Bill
Sam Adamsby Sarah Simpson EUGENE (KMTR) - Thousands celebrated diversity at Eugene's Pride Festival over the weekend. But at the same time, many gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are feeling discriminated against because of recent changes to the Civil Unions bill in the Oregon State Legislature. The original intent of...
Posted by Sam Adams on August 11, 2005
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Filed Under Equality
LET THEM VOTE.....SB 1000
Jane Ames“Hello, I am Sam Adams and I want to thank you for coming from all over Oregon to tell Speaker Minnis to let them go, let them speak, let them vote.” Sam scratches changes in the speech and tries another version. The phone rings and he answers as I stay...
Posted by Jane Ames on July 21, 2005
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Filed Under Equality, Events, Good Government, Speeches & Testimony
My Remarks Commemorating the Stonewall Riots
Sam AdamsI gave this speech at Holocene (SE 11 Morrison) on June 28, 2005 at 8:30 pm at a performance commemorating the Stonewall Riots, considered by many to be the birth of the modern gay rights movement. I would like to welcome everybody to this performance commemorating the Stonewall Riots, an...
Posted by Sam Adams on June 29, 2005
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Filed Under Equality, Speeches & Testimony
Support Democracy
Jane AmesEthiopian-Americans rallied at City Hall on Tuesday, June 28th. Sam was there to support those gathered in support of fellow Ethiopians fighting for Freedom and Democracy in the wake of the May 15, 2005 general election in Ethiopia. Over 25 million Ethiopians registered, and it is reported that 90 percent...
Posted by Jane Ames on June 28, 2005
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Filed Under Equality, Events, News
Ballot Box Trailblazers
Ben DuPreeFrom The Advocate: Other out politicians are getting into the game after spending years gaining experience through working for other politicians. Sam Adams, who was once the ultimate insider in Portland, Ore., had to adjust when he finally ran for city commissioner after working as a political staffer for 20...
Posted by Ben DuPree on June 21, 2005
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Filed Under Equality
Pride Parade shakes a leg downtown
Ben DuPreeThe Portland Tribune - June 17, 2005 Demonstrate love and support for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered friends, family and complete strangers this weekend at Portland’s 2005 Pride Festival and Parade. At last year’s event, 30,000 people celebrated the diversity of the local GLBT community. The annual Pride Parade will...
Posted by Ben DuPree on June 17, 2005
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Filed Under Equality, Events, News
Taxi Please
Maria Thi MaiWith a commitment for equality, Sam asked the Bureau of Licenses to provide data on how many taxi companies are locally owned, minority owned, or women owned businesses. This question came up at today's (June 15) City Council session when the Bureau of Licenses introduced an ordiance to increase taxi...
Posted by Maria Thi Mai on June 15, 2005
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Filed Under Equality
Senate Bill 1000 testimony
Jesse Beason
Sam spoke before the Senate Rules Committee regarding his support for Senate Bill 1000, a bill that would extend the ban on discrimination to include sexual orientation and create civil unions. His testimony is below...
Posted by Jesse Beason on May 4, 2005
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Filed Under Equality, Front Page, Speeches & Testimony
Regarding the Li v. Oregon decision
The Office
Sam addressed the small vigil that gathered at First Unitarian Church last night after the Oregon Supreme Court Decision that nullified the 3,000 same-sex marriage licenses issued in March, 2004. His remarks: "As lesbians and gays, for a brief shining moment when we were allowed to marry each other, and with that right we received an additional measure of equality and dignity and respect...
Posted by The Office on April 15, 2005
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Filed Under Equality, Speeches & Testimony
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