Councilman Who Called WeHo 'Sex-Based City' Censured

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA – The West Hollywood City Council unanimously passed a resolution Monday night censuring City Councilmember John Duran for his comments to the media in response to allegations of sexual misconduct.

Duran apologized during the Monday night meeting for some of his behavior, WeHoVille reported. The resolution was moved to the Council's consent agenda, which allowed the Council to pass the resolution without any public discussion.

The resolution states: “Councilmember John Duran has made statements in response to allegations of inappropriate behavior that are contrary to the city’s policies and values.

Specifically, Councilmember Duran has made statements:

1. that suggest that there is a different standard of appropriate workplace behavior for gay men;
2. that attempt to publicly shame his accusers;
3. that include derogatory remarks about the ethnicity and physical appearance of his accusers; and
4. that trivialize alleged misconduct with a former employee that resulted in a settlement between the City and former employee.”

Duran, a longtime board chairman and major fundraiser for the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles, was accused of sexual conduct by three members of the chorus in February.

According to WeHoVille, the resolution refers to Duran's comments about the allegations which he made in radio and media interviews, and on Facebook. Duran denied the allegations, but also described West Hollywood as a "sex-based city" and said that gay men shouldn’t be held to the same standards as straight men when it comes to sexual behavior, the news website reported.

Read more at WeHoVille

Related Coverage:

• West Hollywood Mayor Accused Of Sexual Misconduct
• Mayor Refuses To Step Down Amid Sexual Misconduct Allegations