Former Mayor John Duran elaborated a bit on his declaration that he is more sexually active than his fellow City Council members in an interview with Splinter, an news and opinion website operated by Gizmodo.
The story, “Why Are So Many LGBTQ Groups Staying Silent About This #MeToo Scandal,” called out organizations such as the Los Angeles LGBT Center, the Human Rights Campaign, the LGBTQ Task Force, the ACLU and Equality California for declining to comment on accusations that Duran sexually harassed young members of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles. Duran, who denies those allegations, resigned as chair of the Chorus after those allegations came to light in stories published by WEHOville and the Los Angeles Times.
The story did, however, note that Stonewall Democrats, the state LGBT Democratic Party organization, called for Duran to resign from the City Council. The LGBTQ Victory Fund, which has supported Duran’s runs for office in the past, said “current investigations would determine its future endorsement of Duran.”
Duran didn’t attend Monday’s City Council meeting where residents spoke out against him and the Council passed resolutions restricting his city-paid travel and spending and requiring that his meetings with employees at City Hall be monitored. In a post on Facebook, he suggested that he skipped the meeting because of health issues. However, before Monday’s meeting he did talk with Splinter’s Kate Sosin about his interview on KNX 10.70 radio on Feb. 22 in which he had stated that he was “the only, I think,
“Duran directly named two colleagues who he said hadn’t had sex in 20 years, another he didn’t think dated much, and a fourth whom he characterized as sexually inactive due to being married,” Sosin reported, without disclosing the names of the particular Council members whose sexual inactivity Duran described. Councilmember John D’Amico, who is gay, is the only married City Council member.
“’And by the way, there’s a complete distinction here between gay men and lesbians,’ Duran added. ‘I think that you’ll find more levels of promiscuity and sexual activity on the male side of the gender divide. And on the female side, and I know this because I’ve talked to many lesbians and straight women over the decades, that women just interact sexually more from their mind.’”
Sosin reports that Councilmember John Heilman, who is gay, declined to comment on Duran’s latest remarks and Councilmember Lauren Meister characterized them a distraction for a city with more important issues. Sosin noted that Councilmember Lindsey Horvath stated at the Council meeting that she did not want to have to discuss her personal life because of Duran’s statements.
Duran has said he will not step down from the City Council despite the demands that he do. He is up for re-election in November 2020.
Entirely unprofessional. Duran would be fired if he said this in any other workplace. I have had it with obnoxious, ego-driven politicians thinking rules don’t apply to them as they continue to disrespect our governments and our communities. WeHo needs to kick this guy out of office, asap.
Come on, this is gossip, not news.
This is great news! John Duran will have post-City Council career as the gay Dr. Ruth. John can not only dispense legal advise but can provide advice on how to emulate him and improve your romantic performance.
Duran’s tasteless and crude comments are gossip, reporting on the pathetic commentary of an elected official is news.
Way too much information, especially the speculation about others that know how to lead dignified lives and likewise treat others with respect. Duran’s awful characteristics are unfortunately being mirrored by a supporter with a passive aggressive twist. Neither approach is useful or welcome.
I left a very loud comment yesterday that surely needed editing for naughty words. I am sorry Hank. In a more rational mindset, I would like to know what makes Mr. Duran’s sexual escapades less offensive than some straight male doing this to a woman? And although I doubt a straight guy would react any differently with a personality like Mr. Duran’s – it is still exactly the same. Coppafeel is Coppafeel. And just as many straight guys think all women welcome such gropes – they don’t. It defies logic that all gay men would react differently. Mr. Duran seems… Read more »
When Duran claimed West Hollywood is a “sex-based” city, he really meant he’s a sex-based politician.
This sad need for sexual approval only becomes less well-disguised as he ages. Not a good look. It won’t be long before he’s that old cruiser no one wants to be around because his bragging is irrelevant and cringe-worthy, and his advances are unwanted and creepy.
He needs to retire before the community forces him out, with good cause.
The City of West Hollywood should reassess our property tax because everyday WeHo’s own Trump open’s his mouth, our property values decline.
And be honest , you didn’t show up for the meeting because you couldn’t handle the truth about your embarassing behavior . You were on the east side of WeHo while the meeting was taking place . Your car was seen in a 5 minute spot with your city council placard hanging for at least 45 minutes .
John, have you NO shame? Are you really so bent on destroying 40 years of work for a few jabs at people that are correctly protecting the city you so claim to love ? Your grandstanding is pathetic and embarrassing ! If you really loved this city , you’d resign before we recall you . Because , that’s exactly what we are going to do! Keep flapping your undignified lips!
Please get the recall petitions started!!!
John is sounding like Trump: He had stated that he was “the only, I think, sexually active member of the City Council. I don’t want to besmirch my colleagues, but I mean, I don’t think any of them are having the level of activity I am.”
John Duran needs help. He does not represent the majority of the community and he conflates his obligation to be a responsible leader with his ability to have a personal life. The distractions are Trumpian and he is destroying the brand of West Hollywood as a legitimate city. We are back in the Valerie Terrigno days. He has set up back in so many ways. He takes credit for things he has never done. Can somebody please tell me what he has done beside prey on people and build his career by taking money from developers?
It’s so sad to watch the decline of John’s mental health. I truly hope he gets the help he obviously needs.
John Duran has made it clear now. He’s dirty laundry is not enough to make him look worse. Now, he wants to make sure everybody knows something is not anybody’s business. Too bad, the people that he harassed (or abused ) for years are not coming out (in public) to tell him what they think of him.
Let’s just ignore him. Let’s see how long it takes for the city to keep him quiet and how he acts when people in WEHO tell him he’s no longer welcome. … Duran, you better click your heels NOW!