• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Towleroad Gay News

Gay Blog Towleroad: More than gay news | gay men

  • Travel
  • Sports
  • Law/Justice
  • Celebrities
  • Republicans
  • Madonna
  • Books
  • Men
  • Trans Rights
  • Royals
  • Monkeypox
  • Madonna SLAMS Haters Of Her ‘Unrecognizable’ Face At The Grammys: ‘You Won’t Break My Soul’
  • Judge denies DeSantis’ request for ‘mental examinations’ for minors seeking gender-affirming care
  • ‘Habibi’ beams light onto queer love in the Arab region

West Hollywood Agrees to Pay $500k in Sexual Harassment Lawsuit: VIDEO

Michael Fitzgerald April 12, 2016 Leave a Comment

John Duran West Hollywood

Following a payment of $500,000 by West Hollywood on a charge of sexual harassment, locals and lawmakers are calling for a change to how the city does business.

Last February, West Hollywood agreed to the payment to settle a lawsuit against the city and Councilman John Duran (above and right) who hired Ian Owens as his deputy after meeting him on Grindr and later having sex with him.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Duran and West Hollywood did not admit to wrongdoing. However, a private investigator’s report commissioned by the city noted that Duran openly talked about his sex life and made “inappropriate” comments that “were sexual in nature.”

RELATED: Republicans: Sexual Harassment Does Not Exist

John Duran West Hollywood_2The report said Duran solicited Owens for sex and showed him nude photographs of men he’d slept with. Owens said Duran made objectifying comments about his appearance, telling him he didn’t “have to worry about things because I’m pretty.”

However, Duran contended that it was Owens who sent him “really graphic” explicit photographs. He also denied accusations that he had sex in his City Hall office.

Last month, the former deputy to D’Amico also sued West Hollywood via Owens’ solicitor, alleging the city retaliated against her for substantiating Owens’ allegations and other complaints by firing her.

Duran has publicly apologized for hiring “a friend.” He also admitted that had the lawsuit gone to trial, West Hollywood’s “unique culture” might not have translated well with many members of a jury outside of the city. “My humor,” he said “is bawdy and funny and outrageous, but, you know what, so is everything else in this town. I could not get elected in Downey.”

The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about – Oscar Wilde

— JohnDuran (@JohnDuran) April 12, 2016

However, gay Councilman John D’Amico said he often looked over during public meetings and saw Duran “trolling for men on Grindr.” At a council meeting, D’Amico said:

“This is not gay-life excuse time, or ‘This is how we do it because we’re gay.’ This is we-live-in-the-21st-century time, and treating people with respect and care and following not just the letter of the law but the spirit of the law is … part of who we are as a city.”

Jessica Levinson, a Loyola Law School professor and president of the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission, said that although cities should be allowed to create a culture that reflects the community, there is “a difference between being open and being lewd, and you have to walk that line”:

“People who decide to run for office and be public servants owe their constituents a little bit more in terms of behavior. No one has to be Mother Teresa — that’s an untenable standard — and we should allow for variations in terms of what’s appropriate in West Hollywood versus Fresno…We should allow those leeways, but you don’t want constituents to feel uncomfortable.”

Former Councilman Steve Martin, who is also gay, added that such issues cause people outside the city to view it as “silly, immature and corrupt. People are dumbfounded that in the world of adults this is the norm, and it doesn’t matter whether it’s gay culture or straight culture, it still isn’t right,” he said, adding “we’ve become such a soap opera.”

Watch D’Amico speak about the allegations against Duran below.

(Images via Wikipedia and Twitter)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dq3fd9l0rEE

Topics: Business, Nature/Climate More Posts About: John D'Amico, John Duran, Sexual harassment, West Hollywood

Related Posts
  • Ed Buck Sentenced to 30 Years For For Injecting Gemmel Moore and Timothy Dean With Fatal Doses Of Drugs In WeHo Sex Assaults;
  • Not All Straight People But … Playboy Mansion Secrets: ‘Drugs And Orgies The Norm’, ‘Not Safe Haven Some Women Thought’; Consent? Not So Much.
  • First of R. Kelly Male Victims Testifies; Was 17 When Singer Asked What He ‘Was Willing to do for Music’; Filmed Acts; Told To Call Him ‘Daddy’
  • Judge denies DeSantis’ request for ‘mental examinations’ for minors seeking gender-affirming care

    Judge denies DeSantis’ request for ‘mental examinations’ for minors seeking gender-affirming care

    Published by AlterNet A federal judge ruled against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ request for minors seeking gender-affirming treatment to be subjected to two-hour mental examinations, Orlando Weekly reports. The ruling from U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle …Read More »
  • ‘Habibi’ beams light onto queer love in the Arab region

    ‘Habibi’ beams light onto queer love in the Arab region

    Published by Al-Araby In a colourful setting on level -1 of the Arab World Institute (IMA) in the heart of Paris, installations, videos, paintings, drawings, designs and embroideries are showcased until February 19 under the title …Read More »
  • Christina Aguilera and Bad Bunny to be honoured at GLAAD Media Awards

    Christina Aguilera and Bad Bunny to be honoured at GLAAD Media Awards

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Christina Aguilera, Bad Bunny and Jeremy Pope will be honoured at the GLAAD Media Awards. The trio will be recognised for their contribution to the LGBTQ community at the ceremony that …Read More »
  • Bret Easton Ellis returns with ‘The Shards’ – dark autofiction

    Bret Easton Ellis returns with ‘The Shards’ – dark autofiction

    Published by DPA Bret Easton Ellis, the cult author behind "American Psycho", is back with a massive novel about wealthy teenagers, a mysterious newcomer student and a serial killer, all narrated by a teen who shares …Read More »
Previous Post: « Mississippi State Rep. Jay Hughes to Launch Effort to Repeal Anti-LGBT ‘Religious Freedom’ Law Today
Next Post: Tops and Bottoms: Power Ranking ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ 08×06 — RECAP »

Primary Sidebar

Adjacent News

  • ‘Most disrespectful bill’ — Missouri lawmakers push to ban teachers from discussing LGBTQ identity

    ‘Most disrespectful bill’ — Missouri lawmakers push to ban teachers from discussing LGBTQ identity

  • First gay married vicar attacks Church of England’s same-sex marriage blessing rule

    First gay married vicar attacks Church of England’s same-sex marriage blessing rule

  • European cost of living crisis: Berlin paying young people to go clubbing

    European cost of living crisis: Berlin paying young people to go clubbing

Good Trash: Going to Read It Somewhere, Y'know

  • ‘At Least You Know I’m Singing Live’: Adele FORGETS The Lyrics To Her Award-Winning Song At Las Vegas Residency Before Grammys

    ‘At Least You Know I’m Singing Live’: Adele FORGETS The Lyrics To Her Award-Winning Song At Las Vegas Residency Before Grammys

  • ‘Leaving Neverland’ Director SLAMS Michael Jackson Biopic Starring Late King Of Pop’s Nephew, Claiming It Will ‘Glorify A Pedophile’

    ‘Leaving Neverland’ Director SLAMS Michael Jackson Biopic Starring Late King Of Pop’s Nephew, Claiming It Will ‘Glorify A Pedophile’

  • Sarah Michelle Gellar reveals Sandy Gallin and Dolly Parton’s ‘little known’ Buffy the Vampire Slayer role

    Sarah Michelle Gellar reveals Sandy Gallin and Dolly Parton’s ‘little known’ Buffy the Vampire Slayer role

RSS Partner Links

  • What The Hell, Grammys?!
  • 'Like' Is a Four-Letter Word
  • Brad Pitt & George Clooney Film Late-Night Scenes for 'Wolves' Thriller in NYC
  • “Jessica Chastain wore a beautiful purple velvet dress in NYC” links
  • ‘Baby Brain’ Princess Kate is ‘winning her battle’ against ‘nemesis’ Meghan
  • OMG, he’s naked again: Salim Kechiouche in French film ‘Constance aux Enfers’
  • OMG, have you heard? More Magic Mike?!

Most Recent

  • Madonna SLAMS Haters Of Her ‘Unrecognizable’ Face At The Grammys: ‘You Won’t Break My Soul’

    Madonna SLAMS Haters Of Her ‘Unrecognizable’ Face At The Grammys: ‘You Won’t Break My Soul’

  • Judge denies DeSantis’ request for ‘mental examinations’ for minors seeking gender-affirming care

    Judge denies DeSantis’ request for ‘mental examinations’ for minors seeking gender-affirming care

  • ‘Habibi’ beams light onto queer love in the Arab region

    ‘Habibi’ beams light onto queer love in the Arab region

  • Christina Aguilera and Bad Bunny to be honoured at GLAAD Media Awards

    Christina Aguilera and Bad Bunny to be honoured at GLAAD Media Awards

  • Bret Easton Ellis returns with ‘The Shards’ – dark autofiction

    Bret Easton Ellis returns with ‘The Shards’ – dark autofiction

  • Indigo Girls in “Protect Trans Kids” T-shirt Are More Than “Fine” At Tiny Desk Show; And Queer Playlist From 10 Years of NPR Concerts:  WATCH

    Indigo Girls in “Protect Trans Kids” T-shirt Are More Than “Fine” At Tiny Desk Show; And Queer Playlist From 10 Years of NPR Concerts: WATCH

  • Dexter Origins confirmed with plans for more serial killer spin offs

    Dexter Origins confirmed with plans for more serial killer spin offs

  • Retired, Single & Sexy! Tom Brady Holds His Hand Over His Private Parts In Nearly Nude Selfie — See Photo

    Retired, Single & Sexy! Tom Brady Holds His Hand Over His Private Parts In Nearly Nude Selfie — See Photo

Most Commented

Social

Twitter @tlrd | Facebook | Instagram @tlrd

Footer

Copyright © 2023 · Log in

×