John Heilman

Who is John Heilman?

John Heilman is an American municipal politician and frequent mayor of West Hollywood, California.

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Heilman moved to Southern California to attend the University of Southern California Law School.

Heilman was active in the incorporation of the City of West Hollywood. He was elected to the City's first City Council in November 1984 and has served continuously since then. John Heilman was chosen as the City's second Mayor in 1985, and also served as Mayor in 1990, 1995, 1999, 2001 and 2006. He began his most recent turn as Mayor in April 2010.

Since his earliest days on the City Council, one of Heilman's main concerns has been domestic partner rights. Heilman was instrumental in the establishment of West Hollywood's domestic partnership registration program that permitted city employee partners to register and obtain domestic partner benefits for same-sex couples and seniors, regardless of gender, who are at least 62.5 years old and living together.

Heilman is a past board member of the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California.