Gay-friendly judge wins Ore. Supreme Court race

(Portland, Ore.) An appeals court judge who wrote a historic opinion extending gay and lesbian rights, has won a seat on the Oregon State Supreme Court.

Jack Landau, an Oregon Court of Appeals judge, on Tuesday defeated Allan J. Arlow, an administrative law judge with the Oregon Public Utilities Commission.

Landau had 71 percent of the votes, with 56 percent of the expected vote counted.

As an appeals court judge, Landau wrote the opinion in Tanner v. OHSU, which ruled that employers cannot discriminate against gay and lesbian couples when providing health care benefits.

The Supreme Court seat opened with the retirement of Justice W. Michael Gillette.

Embattled out Portland mayor believes he can still do job

Mayor Sam Adams, addressing a business gathering for the first time since the state began investigating his relationship with a former legislative intern, said he believes he can remain an effective leader.

The assertion comes despite doubts held by some that Adams, who has fielded several requests to resign and could face a recall campaign in July, can continue to advance Portland’s economic interests.

See Embattled out Portland mayor believes he can still do job
American City Business Journals/Portland, Ore.

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Portland gay mayor hangs tough, won’t resign

(Portland, Oregon) The mayor of Portland, Ore., has decided not to resign despite calls for him to do so after he admitted he lied and asked a teenager to lie about their sexual relationship.

“Tomorrow, I go back (to) work as your mayor. I know I have let you down and …

Portland’s first out mayor takes office

Although he’s aware of the importance of being the first gay man elected to helm one of the nation’s biggest cities, Sam Adams, the newly sworn-in mayor of Portland, Ore., intends to be a leader for all its citizens. “I don’t want to be a gay mayor,” he said. “I do want to be a great mayor. There is no gay pothole and no straight pothole. They’re just potholes.” Oregonian (Portland), The (12/30) Google (01/02) See Portland’s first out mayor takes office
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