John Heilman was sworn-in as Vice Mayor by city clerk Melissa Crowder during the city council meeting on Tuesday, January 21. He chose not to deliver a speech, but he congratulated new mayor Chelsea Byers and thanked outgoing former mayor John Erickson, saying “Thank you so much for all the work that you put in this last year.”
Heilman, a long-standing figure in West Hollywood politics, has served as a city council member and mayor multiple times since the city’s incorporation in 1985. With a career spanning decades, Heilman has played a pivotal role in shaping the city’s policies and advocating for progressive causes.
Heilman was instrumental in the incorporation of West Hollywood as a city and was elected to its first city council in November 1984. Over the years, he has served as mayor on numerous occasions, first assuming the role in 1985 and holding the position in subsequent years, including 1990, 1995, 1999, 2001, 2006, 2010, and 2017. Despite losing re-election in 2015, he returned to the council later that year in a special election. Heilman was defeated again in 2020 but made a comeback by winning re-election in 2022.
One of Heilman’s early focuses as a councilmember was advocating for domestic partner rights. He was a key proponent of West Hollywood’s domestic partnership registration program, which provided benefits to same-sex couples and seniors over 62.5 years old living together.
Heilman’s leadership extended beyond local politics. He served on the board of the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California and held prominent roles with LGBTQ+ organizations, including serving as president of the Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Local Officials Group and co-chair of the International Network of Lesbian and Gay Officials. His contributions earned him support from the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and membership in the Stonewall Democratic Club.
A staunch advocate for AIDS awareness, Heilman’s efforts were recognized with the U.S. Conference of Mayors Award in 1990.
Throughout his career, Heilman has remained a dedicated public servant and educator, leaving a lasting impact on West Hollywood and its residents. Openly gay and deeply involved in LGBTQ+ advocacy, Heilman continues to champion equality and community progress.
This man has no business squatting in a political position like this since 1984! Look at all the happy comments from his winged monkeys!
Go be angry in Rome, il papa.
He was a great Mayor of WeHo. I expect more good things to be coming up with him in a leadership role again!
Thank you for all your years of service and dedication to our city. The year I came out, you helped create this city and city council; very good things happened in 1984.
If Chelsea Byers was astute she would look to you for guidance/direction and introductions to advocacy programs to better serve her constituents.
…if Chelsea Byers was astute… said it right there! She cares less about our history, mission statement or upholding the core ideas that garnered the need for a “City” like we have it. For her, this is a political jumping board and she’ll treat it as a carrier opportunity, not because she cares!
Working for 40 years to help make WeHo a better place to live, congrats!