On his first night as West Hollywood’s new mayor, John M. Erickson, in head-to-toe pink, tearfully recalled the story of his childhood in small-town Wisconsin surrounded by a packed house of friends, family and supporters.
“I’ve been thinking about what I wanted to say tonight for quite some time, and I keep coming back to the angst and the dreams of a little boy who rode his bike everywhere in Ripon, Wisconsin,” Erickson said. “Always dreaming of someplace else and always scared that people in Ripon would realize he was different.”
That “someplace” else was West Hollywood, where Erickson found kinship in the LGBTQIA+ community and was hired as a City Hall intern. He quickly climbed the ranks, becoming a deputy and protege of former Mayor Abbe Land, and in 2020 he was elected to City Council.
“When I think about my hopes for my time as Mayor, I’m reminded of the parable of the ‘Pearl of Great Price,’ where a merchant searching for heaven finds one pearl of great price and sells all that he has to buy it. West Hollywood, for me, has always been that pearl, a diamond in the rough that we all search for, to be in a city where so many LGBTQ people feel as close to heaven as we can imagine because we’re protected by rent-controlled laws, enjoy beautiful parks and well-manicured streets and trees, and know, at least within the confines of the city, we’re all accepted and loved. My hope and my dream for this pearl is that we stay true to the dream of cityhood, so in the future, all kids riding their bikes to their grandmas’ houses will keep pedaling, knowing there is a place for them where they can be free and have a bright future.”
Erickson was sworn in by his niece, Emma, who along with other family members braved subarctic temperatures and flight cancellations to join him from their home in the Midwest.
@wehoonline♬ original sound – WEHOonline
“If you had told us growing up that one day he’d be a mayor of a city, we would have questioned your sanity,” his sisters Allison and Melinda quipped during Public Comment. “The strong spirit that we saw in John growing up has blossomed into the strong leader and advocate that you all have come to know. He has never been afraid to share his opinions, and although not everyone may always agree with him, his heart is always in the right place. Sometimes he may just need some gentle reminders that there are other opinions besides his own.”
The council presented outgoing Mayor Sepi Shyne with a proclamation for her work, and she displayed unusual vulnerability in her heartfelt remarks.
“This is such a beautiful position to hold in public service, and it is also extremely stressful,” Shyne said. “Having the community come out to support is so important because there’s often a lot of loneliness in these positions that is not really talked about enough. I look forward to watching your leadership, and I have the full trust that I’ve ever had in both of you to carry forward the vision that we’ve all had for the future of the city.”
A who’s who of dignitaries came to pay tribute to Erickson and freshly inaugurated Vice Mayor Chelsea Byers, including District Attorney George Gascon, County Assessor Jeffrey Prang, representatives from State Sen. Ben Allen and Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur’s offices — and County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, who regaled the crowd with a song in a moment that harkened back to her days as a musical theater ingenue.
@wehoonline♬ original sound – WEHOonline
Byers was sworn in by former City of Santa Monica Councilmember Gleam Davis, whose work on “mobility, housing, and addressing the economic divide in our communities has deeply inspired my thinking,” she said.
“I’m very excited to continue building bridges, meeting and growing relationships throughout our community, and developing more partnerships valuable to our city,” Byers said. “Our world is continuing to shift around us, in this year against the backdrop of a polarized national election, ongoing global war sewing division in our local communities, impending UFO disclosure, and escalating climate change. It is trans and immigrant communities who have been and continue to be on the front lines, and West Hollywood’s role as a sanctuary and refuge is of the utmost importance.”
That point was contested by public commenter and oft-agitator Annie Jump Vicente, who shattered the genial mood of the proceedings with a furious tirade at the podium and various booing throughout the night.
“This ain’t no fucking refugee for trans people!” Vicente shouted at Erickson and Shyne. “I’ve been trying to fight with all of you for the last fucking year about it. And you made it a hollow bill so that you can run for Congress and you could fucking become mayor. ”
Other public commenters with issues to address, including Sierra Bonita neighborhood leader Stefanie LaHart and scooter fighter Mikie Freedman, were far kinder.
“You know, a lot of times we get up here and we’re screaming, ‘What are you guys doing?’ But I know it’s a hard job,” said LaHart, noting that Erickson was the first to reach out after a devastating fire destroyed a house next door. “He asked, ‘What can I do? Can I come over and see you immediately?’ And I was like, ‘Oh, me? I’m nobody.’ But John, from your immediate response, you really made me feel like I mattered. Not just that I mattered, but that our problem mattered and that you were listening. And I mean that from my heart.”
“Last year in West Hollywood, I spoke up publicly for the first time at Sepi’s coronation … I mean, installation,” joked Freeman, who brought up a range of problems looming with the city’s micromobility program.
“Some of us are doubting your and Chelsea’s ability to lead our city effectively,” Freedman told Erickson. “I hope you prove us wrong. I really do. I’ll happily give you a hand, but you have to give it back.”
Who the hell would celebrate this? China? The cartels? Communists in general? Communists aren’t people.
you misquoted me. i said , “this aint no refugee city** for trans ppl.”
please wrote me correctly. and, thanks for voicing my concerns.
I stand corrected but I think I got the spirit of the hypocrisy you were pointing out. Your concerns are always legit. I would gently suggest you avoid using the F-bombs; maybe try it at the next meeting and see if you get a better response; if it doesn’t work, feel free to go back to the F-bombs, but unlike most public comment speakers, you actually have something to say, something always valid, and you come with proof/evidence/video. Sadly, you will never get anywhere with Sepi, Erickson and Chelsea, they are all too far gone with their hypocrisy. I believe… Read more »
I’m as gay as a Doris Day movie but never felt the need to wear bright pink to show it. I’m just as proud as the next queen but I never lost sight of my personality just because I’m gay. It is possible to be gay and wear black combat boots and a Megadeth shirt once in a while and still remain gay and true to self.
Sure. That may be you. But you’re not John Erickson. There are lots of problems with John Erickson, from alleged antisemitism to corruption to bullying and on and on. But what he decides on his own to wear really doesn’t add or take away the fact of what a horrible Councilperson he is.
I had another ‘SCREAMER’ directly behind me during most of the evening. (It reminded me of the distraction caused by a ‘SCREAMER’ in the audience of the Saturday night,16DEC23 Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles holiday concert in which I performed. That ‘SCREAMER’ had the same marring effect as did those at the WeHo Mayoral Installation.) The later, totally deranged, out-of-mind, garbage-mouth commentary by AJV during Public Comment ought to have resulted in her being directly escorted out of the proceedings for cause; that needs to be done at her next City Council tantrum.
Please cite what rules you think AJV broke. As far as I could tell, her screaming was while others were cheering. Not sure if we have any rules about foul language. I don’t think she disrupted anything.
Rules of life. When one resorts to foul language and erratic behavior it simply delegitimizes the individual. Never a good look.
i specifically pointed out after i was given a point of order that everyone else is disturbing the meeting. if he were to kick me out, hed have to kick everyone out. that’s why Erickson stopped. i wasnt the source of the disruption. they crowd cheering for them were.
and thanks for recognizing i stopped when everyone else stopped. im not about to be kicked out for being a political dissenter.
hes done it to me in the past as mayor pro tempore.
Please be the best person you can be.
I’m surprised the pope didn’t send a representative. At times, Erickson came across like he was doing an imitation of Liberace without the piano. His twin sisters were charming. Loved one of them when she said they were from a city in Wisconsin where the Republican party was created.
That was a delightful event.
Congratulations, Mayor Erickson!
I watched on youtube this morning and it was hilarious to see how everyone just ignores the deranged lunatic in the front row screaming throughout. Everyone is tired of the antics.
A beauty pageant sash?🙄
George Gascon was there?!
Yes, I guess all the crime in L.A. County has been solved, so the D.A. has lots of free time to attend fake ceremonies for alleged antisemitic people. The most honest person in that room between the front row and the dais was Annie Jump Vicente.
It was very gracious of DA Gascon to appear as John had been a strong supporter in Gason’s race to unseat incumbent Jackie Lacey.
A man who has single handedly gone out of his way to destroy LA County, can keep his graces to himself. Not a good look to see that POS sitting there.
The D.A./destroyer of L.A. County was only there cause he expects the Weho clowns to show up at his self-aggrandizing events. It’s called “logrolling”, where they vote or compliment each other.
Such a clown show.
The highlight of the evening was seeing a fearless Annie Jump Vicente pointing out the truth that the City continues to be a bunch of phony hypocrites pretending to be some kind of “sanctuary city” for trans people, when in fact, it’s only a sanctuary for wealthy people who can afford $3,500 a month in rent for a dumpy apartment or $1,000,000 for an ordinary condo. I would prefer she wouldn’t use the foul language, but I’m fine with the booing to counteract the absurd Trump-like applause for no reason. The parade of “dignitaries” fawning over some truly awful people… Read more »
Agree with her or not, you gotta admire Annie’s bravado
She is one truly disturbed person who brings only deep anger and F bombs. Her absurd antics have no place at a City Council meeting.
There is nothing admirable about Ms Vicente.
You don’t think Ms Vicente pointing out the hypocrisy of Weho calling themself a “sanctuary city”, yet a place completely unaffordable, and offering sanctuary to no one, is relevant? She was only screaming and booing at the same time others were cheering and applauding. She disrupted nothing. Try to be more tolerant of people with different opinions.
Aren’t you the one who wants poor people to be forcefully removed from this city? You want more condos for millionaires and to eliminate rent control…
I’ve never suggested anything about forcefully removing anyone from the City. Actually what I want is truth for Councilmembers to stop lying about how supposedly welcoming we are, when we only want rich people here.
I think she made some poor life choices. Oh, and since she disrupted nothing, invite her to your next birthday party or significant event. Please do let us know how it goes. Better yet, video it and upload to You Tube so the entire world can see.
Absolutely nothing. A desperate soul craving attention.The person should be thrown out of the meetings for failure to control one’s self in a public forum like a mature, reasonable and rational adult. All it does is show others that that kind of lunatic behavior is acceptable, encouraging more of it. Beginning of chaos.
100% agree !!! She should have been silenced or at least reprimanded after she dropped the first F bomb. She is truly without class and I think gives trans people a bad name, so to speak.
As far as I can tell, she broke no rules. If she did, please let us know what. Her two points were reasonable: hypocrisy about a sanctuary city and she has a right to feel and state that John Erickson’s outfit looked like he was flaunting wealth. Quite frankly, it was a lot more interesting than all the other public comments, one after the other how wonderful John Erickson and Sepi are. Sadly not one comment mentioning their anti semitism’ Sepi suing the city, a pedestrian nearly killed by a scooter, and all of the other scandals going on.
I did mention the horrific accident in front of MedMen, and I did accuse the council of ignoring the danger to pedestrians caused by scooters, and a couple of other bonehead moves made by council. But I will admit I did tone down my rhetoric quite a bit for this particular public comment.
I think AJV’s anger is righteous, but I also think that sadly, she is shooting herself in the foot with her delivery.
I stand corrected, you did mention the horrible recent predicted pedestrian incident. I regret no one on the Council had the courage to acknowledge the situation. “Accident” really isn’t the right way to describe it, as these people are law breakers, knowingly breaking the law. I agree AJV could be more helpful to her cause if she toned it down a bit.
I agree completely. Sometimes she says things that need to be said and she clearly plays sycophant to no one.
Rather troubling that while you appear to applaud the “bravado” of AJV you fail to recognized a deeply troubled soul that has the potential of precipitating an incident in Council Chambers which may cause reaction or over reaction on part of the deputies present and potentially harming others. AJV could operate in a different framework as she is obviously intelligent but so overcome by anger that she has no balance. I don’t presume to diagnose her by any means but am aware that there is help for people with similar conditions not requiring myriad medical roulette. Has anyone in the… Read more »
i like what im doing, thanks. dont need your shit advice.
and just like i told the cunt that approached me last night after the meeting, the council members are the ones i have been begging for help, and they havent.
maybe you ahould seek help for being such a fucking coward and only speaking your mind in anon spaces online.
I don’t dispute all you’re saying. I’m just suggesting when a clearly bright thinking person is lied to probably her whole life, by people who patronize and lie to her about, for example, weho being a “sanctuary city” when it clearly isn’t, I get where her anger is coming from. I applaud her ability to detect b.s. and not let it slide and call out those on the Council who routinely lie and deceive all of us.
If you presume AJV to be a bright, clear thinking person, at some point she could decide on a reasonable quality of life by not acting like a volatile insane person and depend on herself for her future. Nothing comes with any guarantees least of all the city construct.
Let’s resist pathologizing dissent. Have you ever watched a session of Parliment?! A few heckles directed at our current Council are more than deserved.
Of course it’s not lost on me that while Sepi coddles those she sees opportunity to exploit no matter their behavior, she refuses to acknowledge my existence, all for my grand crime of publishing political cartoons of her years ago.
I’d warn Annie not to be taken in by Sepi’s manipulations, but I’ll leave that to her to figure out.
I’m afraid you have missed the point. While consistently dealing with the real world your deflections seem off. The subject was AJV not aspects of your behavior in relation to city council. Everyone digs their own grave, so to speak, with or without a consciousness of humanity.
I believe I understood your point, and probably a tempered approach would garner more public support. But in my experience, the current council majority are purely tribalist clique gatekeepers— and unless you’re in a position of influence over them or a sycophant in their harem— they really aren’t any more likely to be responsive to a well crafted logical argument vs an emotive tirade, anyway. The difference in how Annie is received by Sepi, who sees opportunity to align herself with a politically expedient cause celeb vs Sepi’s dismissive and dehumanizing treatment of others she disagrees with, for me, is… Read more »
It would appear that an emotional tirade in a public setting is not a constructive way to solve a problem or use it as a starting point. There are logical and respectful ways to solve problems ever more necessary in dealing with intractable issues. AJV does not use this approach and immediately resorts to outrage with a layer of profanity which is never helpful. Learning to diffuse one’s self would be a great start.
Imagine if AJV was calm and classy? Maybe she could be the next mayor? We make more progress with honey not hysteria and screaming. Looks like AJV wants to do good things but isnt getting anywhere?
“Trump-like applause”? Here you are trying to make a serious point when your TDS slips out. Hilarious. Is Mr. Trump still living rent-free in your cabeza? Well, get used to it because he’ll soon be in the White House again, too.
He’ll be in the big house, not the White House.
Is this you “A” comedy material, or just some test material, and you’re saving the really good stuff for later?
Even a broken clock is right twice a day.
If he poor wardrobe choices are any indication of the way this buffoon thinks, we are in for more real trouble.