WEST HOLLYWOOD—The city of West Hollywood swore in John J. Duran as its new Mayor, and John D’Amico as Mayor Pro Tempore. An Oath of Office ceremony was administered at West Hollywood’s annual City Council Reorganization and Installation meeting, which took place on Monday, May 21 at 1OAK. According to the city of West Hollywood website, Mayor Duran’s Oath of Office was administered by singer/songwriter Eddie Money; Mayor Pro Tempore D’Amico’s Oath of Office was administered by West Hollywood City Clerk Yvonne Quarker.

A short city council meeting transpired, followed by a community reception at the Rainbow Bar & Grill. Mayor Duran and Mayor Pro Tempore D’Amico are openly gay and serve as two of three openly gay members on the five-member City Council.

Mayor John J. Duran is a native of Los Angeles and has been a resident of West Hollywood since 1990. He was elected a member of the West Hollywood City Council in 2001 and this is his fourth term serving as Mayor for the city. He is a recognized national leader on HIV/AIDS issues and on LGBT equality. He is a defender of nightlife entertainment districts in West Hollywood and he lives near the Sunset Strip. He is a proponent for physical and mental health issues; addiction and recovery services; the promotion of fine arts and cultural events; tenant protections and affordable housing; strong economic development policies; historic preservation efforts; transportation programs; public safety; and is an advocate for the protection of animals. Mayor Duran has a Juris Doctorate degree from Western State University College of Law and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from California State University Long Beach (CSULB). He has been a lawyer in private practice since 1987 and he is National Chairman of NALEO (the National Association of Latino Elected Officials).

Mayor Pro Tempore John D’Amico has been a resident of West Hollywood for over 25 years. He was first elected in 2011; he served one term as Mayor from 2014 to 2015. He holds two Master’s Degrees, one in Architecture and Urban Planning from the University of Houston, and the other in Aesthetics and Politics from the California Institute of the Arts. He has over 20 years of experience in large-scale project planning and management at UCLA, ABC, the Walt Disney Studios, and the affordable housing developer, Los Angeles Housing Partnership.

West Hollywood was incorporated in 1984 by a unique collaboration of people including LGBT activists, seniors, and advocates for affordable housing. At only 1.9 square miles, West Hollywood is an economic and cultural center instilled with idealism, creativity, and innovation. A spirit of community activism and civic pride in the region has approximately 35,000 residents and the city has a strong progressive political voice.

For additional details about the West Hollywood City Council, call (323) 848-6460. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, please call TTY (323) 848-6496. For up-to-date news and events, follow the City of West Hollywood on social media @WeHoCity and sign up for news updates at www.weho.org/email.