Just Out, a leading LGBTQ publication, has come out with its 2008 primary endorsements in their most recent issue. Highlighting their choices for me are Sam Adams for Portland Mayor and Jeff Merkley for U.S. Senate. They took the opportunity to highlight the work these two (and others) have done on issues of equality and empowerment.

For Sam Adams, they focus on his incredible record of equality accomplishment as a City Commissioner and believe he's the right person to move Portland forward again:

The openly gay candidate has also demonstrated a commitment to equality unmatched by his mayoral opponents. Adams’ accomplishments in the gay rights arena include expanding health insurance benefits to domestic partners of all city employees; enacting nondiscrimination requirements based on sexual orientation for all contractors seeking work with the city; helping enact Multnomah County’s domestic partnership registry; expanding the city’s Civil Rights Ordinance to include nondiscrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity; co-founding Q Center; and sponsoring the city’s Equal Benefits Ordinance, which requires contractors to provide health care benefits to domestic partners of employees.

The city of Portland is ready for action, not visioning, and Adams has the energy, commitment and wisdom to lead.

As for Jeff Merkley, they find his whole career thoroughly compelling and feel he's the right Democrat to take on Gordon Smith:

Taken wholly, Jeff Merkley’s body of nonprofit and legislative work has helped build and empower educated, healthy, equal communities in Portland and across the state. From banning public school lunchroom junk food and expanding Oregon’s ban on smoking to helping bring Oregon’s equal rights laws for sexual minorities into the 21st century, this David Douglas High School alum has the most proven track record and is best poised to unseat incumbent Gordon Smith.

Both Sam and Jeff are strong progressive leaders who will do wonders for Portland and Oregon on equality-based issues (and lots of other issues, too) if they're elected. As I'm a strong supporter of both, I'm happy to see Just Out acknowledge their accomplishments and potential through endorsements.