Doubting Thomas?

[January 22nd, 2003] Once I announced plans to become this city's "unofficial gay mayor" a couple of weeks ago, my phone started to ring more. Still, I never expected to hear a peep, chirp or whistle from anyone I put up as a fellow "nominee."

But they called.

Real estate investor/reserve cop Robert Ball said he'd be more than happy to debate issues of the gay day.

And as for Thomas Lauderdale, well let's just say Pink Martini's precocious bandleader can plunk out a pretty sweet song when it comes to politics--and Portland.

"Being gay is not enough," Thomas told me over coffee and clove cigarettes, quoting one of his favorite queer filmmakers, John Waters. "That's why, rather than being the unofficial gay mayor, I would want to be the official mayor of this city."

That's right. You heard it here first. Thomas Lauderdale (who actually started Pink Martini in opposition to the evil doings of the anti-gay Oregon Citizens Alliance) would like to be mayor someday. But not just any mayor; this Harvard graduate wants to follow in the footsteps of one of his heroes and mentors, as well as one of Portland's most legendary mayors, former Gov. Neil Goldschmidt.

"You need to engage people, help them realize that they do matter and ultimately inspire them to do impossible things," says Thomas. "A great leader inspires you to be better... much better. Vera Katz doesn't do that--Neil did and still does."

While Thomas thinks an unofficial gay mayor would be great, it's just not for him. Rather, he would like to see the unofficial gay mayor work in tandem with the mayor.

"One of the first things they would do is enlist a style council," says Thomas. "Finally, a public aesthetic would be developed: Certain buildings would never be torn down, such as Memorial Coliseum or the [already torn down] Aero Club."

Thomas also thinks that times have changed. "The outrageousness that Sandy Director spearheaded [see QW, Jan. 8] was perfect for the time he lived in," says Thomas, in regard to the pre-Will & Grace days. "Now we need someone with empathy, patience, perseverance and forgiveness that can bring people together. That's when things happen."

If Thomas became mayor, he'd also change how this city looks--especially at night.

"Downtown needs to become a beacon of hope," he proclaims.

Translated, that means he would make it easier for people to gather together by getting rid of anti-cruising and anti-sitting laws. He also supports a downtown ice rink ("just not in Pioneer Courthouse Square") and a good gay disco.

"I have grappled for years over whether or not I should open one," says Thomas, who would dub his club Pucci-Pooch. "I'm coming closer to doing it every day."

Whether or not he does one day become mayor, Thomas thinks it's frustrating to sit by and pine for Oregon's glory days of the 1970s--gay or otherwise.

"Our culture doesn't dance or sing," he says. "That leads to bad sex and bad lighting. It's time we started to have fun again."