It was a jovial atmosphere inside West Hollywood Council Chambers Tuesday evening, as the city installed its new Mayor, John Erickson, and Vice Mayor, Chelsea Byers.

Erickson was sworn in by Emma Tenhagen, his niece. Other family members had braved freezing temperatures in the Midwest to travel in to see him inaugurated. Byers asked former Santa Monica Mayor and current Councilmember Gleam Davis to do the honors for her.

As he took over the meeting, Erickson was immediately generous to the new Vice Mayor, saying, “Vice Mayor Byers. I love saying that.” He then asked her if she would like to make some remarks, to which she said, “Thank you, I would Mayor Erickson. I also love saying that.” This will clearly be a supportive partnership.

Byers noted the huge crowd filling the chambers, saying, “It’s overflowing with love and support, and it’s really clear from the energy I’m feeling that we are all excited for the incoming leadership of our Mayor, John Erickson.” She noted that every resident sees West Hollywood as special, but added, “I think all of you are here because you have a reason that West Hollywood is special to you. We know that this warm, inviting environment that has made global reach and historical impact matters to all of us.”

After a brief, emotional pause in praising Erickson, Byers continued. “For anyone looking for a place in this world hopeful for fertile ground can meet pliable earth and make positive change, West Hollywood is that place and that beacon.”

Reflecting on her time on council so far, Byers said, “This first year on council has truly deepened my belief in how change is made.”

She also thanked her parents who were in attendance, saying to them, “Thank you for giving me the life I have and for supporting my growth; getting me to all of those volunteer activities I wanted to be in growing up.” She said she loves seeing her mother’s love for West Hollywood grow with each visit. She also thanked her partner, Austin Cyr, who she called “My greatest supporter and friend for nearly 12 years.” She added, “I adore you. And thank you for sharing this life, your fierce heart, and your focus with me each day.”

Byers circled back to Erickson with compliments, saying, “In John, we have a skilled facilitator, a sharp wit, and a brilliant mind. A remarkable level of commitment, and – as many in this room can attest to – a true advocate for others.”

She was also complimentary of the outgoing Mayor, Sepi Shyne, saying, “In you, I want to honor the kindness I’ve found in your friendship.” She added, “I’ve been in many rooms where I’ve watched the way you telling your story has truly transformed people’s experience…It’s clear to me why you’ve become a hero to so many.”

“Gleam, your work on mobility, and housing, and addressing the economic divide in our communities has deeply inspired my thinking, my approach to government and leadership, and regional collaboration,” Byers said of the Santa Monica councilmember. “And I’m really grateful for the ways you’ve supported my growth and leadership since the time I’ve known you.”

The city recently moved to change the name of the position from Mayor Pro Tem, a Latin term meaning “For the time being,” to Vice Mayor, making Byers the city’s first to hold that title.

Then it was Erickson’s turn. Once a WeHo City Hall intern, the new mayor beautifully talked about the “Angst and dreams” he had when he was a little boy riding his bike all over Ripon, Wisconsin. He talked of always being afraid that “People in Ripon would realize he was different.”

With emotion, gratitude, and strength, he then began thanking people in his life who allowed him to become the Mayor of West Hollywood and “Not just some statistic that we might read about.”

He thanked his sisters, who were the first people he came out to. His sister Allison, who, after a young LGBTQ member of their community she knew committed suicide, once asked John if he had ever considered ending his own life. To which Erickson answered, “I answered with a resounding ‘No,’ because I had you.” Then, sister Melinda gave a presentation to her class soon after on how to be an ally of the LGBTQ community.

“These simple acts of love,” said Erickson, “Showed me that LGBTQ people are worthy of living, even though we may be different.”

Allison and Melinda had some fun, saying later in public comment, “If you had told us growing up that one day he’d be a mayor of a city, we would have questioned your sanity.” And to the audience, “And if you want more dirt on that, find us later tonight.”

Erickson credited his social justice activism to his grandmother, Gladys. “She may no longer be physically with me, but she manages to point me in the right direction,” he said.

He then turned to local heroes and inspirations, starting with former Mayor Abbe Land, whom Erickson worked for as a council deputy. “You’ve always been my calm voice in the storm.”

“Assessor Jeffery Prang, you taught me to listen more and talk less. I’m still working on that one,” he said to some chuckles.

Of County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, Erickson said, “You are an amazing friend and my north star, and my chosen family. You believed in that crazy kid from Wisconsin when he told you he was a feminist, and you’ve been alongside me for this journey ever since.” He thanked her for loving West Hollywood and inspiring others with her love and passion.

He then thanked Shyne and Councilmembers Lauren Meister and John Heilman, who he considers his mentor. It was Heilman whom he interned in the past. He thanked Byers as well and recalled their first interaction many years ago at a women’s leadership conference in the West Hollywood Auditorium.

He looked out to his nieces and nephews and apologized for missing all of their sporting events back home. “But I want each of you to know that no matter who you are, or how small of a town you come from, you too can one day be the mayor, and find a place like West Hollywood to come home.”

He began to close with a thoughtful way of thinking of West Hollywood. “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,” said Erickson. “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.”

Along with Santa Monica’s Davis, several L.A. County dignitaries were in attendance to support Erickson and Byers and thank Shyne, including former West Hollywood Mayor and current County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, Supervisor Kathryn Barger, former West Hollywood Mayor and current County Assessor Jeffrey Prang, and District Attorney George Gascón. Beverly Hills Councilmember Lester Friedman was also on hand to lend support, as were Culver City Councilmember Freddy Puza and Culver City School Board Member Triston Ezidore. LAUSD Board Member Nick Melvoin, who represents a large swath of the Westside, also attended.

The image is a screen capture.