Councilwoman Sepi Shyne served as West Hollywood’s mayor from January 2023 to January 2024. (photo by Jon Viscott)

Four years ago, West Hollywood Councilwoman Sepi Shyne was elected by a then-record number of votes. Just by way of taking office, Shyne broke ground. She would become the first female Iranian American mayor in California, and the first out LGBTQ+ Iranian American mayor in the world, when she served her mayoral term from January 2023 to January 2024.

Earlier this year, however, Shyne decided not to run for reelection. She will officially step down on Dec. 16, when newly-elected Danny Hang is sworn in, and the city honored her during the Dec. 2 City Council meeting.

Shyne was presented by her colleagues with a proclamation for her “tireless leadership and service to the city of West Hollywood community.” Prior to joining the council, Shyne had been an active member of the city, serving on both the Lesbian Gay Advisory Board, now the LGBTQ+ Commission, and the Business License Commission.

“I learned that there was never any woman of color on the City Council, no Iranians, and there was only one lesbian and no other out queer woman who ever served, and my colleagues asked me to run,” Shyne said. “I wanted to give a voice to the voiceless in our city. I wanted to bring equity to West Hollywood, and a more holistic approach to public service. I wanted to bring light to politics and light to our city.”

Shyne noted the creation of WeHo Pride, the Women’s Freedom Festival and the Social Justice Task Force and Advisory Board among her greatest achievements. She also expressed pride in the restoration of Plummer Park, the gender-neutral bathroom ordinance, the city’s historic minimum wage, expanded hotel workers’ and tenants’ protections, the distribution of drink spiking test strips and the support of local businesses.

Dozens of community members and public officials appeared to honor Shyne, including former Councilwoman Lindsey Horvath, who now serves the third district for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

“You’ve been a trailblazer, a champion and a voice for those who often go unheard,” Horvath said.

Resident Adam Darvish, who currently servers on the Transportation and Mobility Commission and previously on the Human Services Commission, gave an emotional tribute to Shyne.

“You inspired me from the minute that I met you … you inspired me to serve, and you gave me the opportunity to serve in the city … but more than that, you changed me in many ways,” Darvish said. “I used to be ashamed to call myself Iranian-American and was hiding my identity, but then you brought that out of me.”

Shyne’s fellow council members also took a moment to recognize her accomplishments.

“It’s been an honor to serve with Sepi Shyne over the last four years and work together to protect workers’ rights, enhance our business community and bring back the city following the pandemic,” Mayor John Erickson said. “She is the first of many things for our city, but won’t be the last, and I’m proud to call her a friend and a colleague.”

“I really want to thank you for the way you showed up in my own life behind the scenes,” Vice Mayor Chelsea Byers said. “You’ve taught me so much about what it means to be present and what it means to really support somebody.”

“I think it takes a lot to know when it’s time to move on,” Councilwoman Lauren Meister said. “So, I hope that whatever you are moving on to, that you are successful. I don’t know if you believe in the afterlife, but there is life after WeHo, I wish you much success.”

Councilman John Heilman appointed Shyne to her previous positions on city commissions. In honoring her, he spoke to personal attacks she had weathered from community members.

“I know it’s been really difficult, I think, personally dealing with attacks up here, and it’s been challenging I think for all of us,” Heilman said. “And it’s always painful to see that happen, and I really hope that once you move on to your next journey that you don’t have to deal with that kind of nastiness or unpleasantness. And thank you so much for your service, both as my commissioner and as my council member and mayor.”

Shyne also paid tribute to her city appointees during the meeting.

“To the commissioners and board members I had the privilege of appointing, your service to our city has been invaluable. Once I was one of you, and now I sit here. Your dedication, expertise and tireless efforts have made West Hollywood a better place … thank you for making West Hollywood shine on Team Shyne,” she said.

“Thank you for being my friend and my mentor,” said Hang, who served as her appointee to the business license commission. “Thank you for uplifting persons of color in our city by helping to diversify our boards and commissions, along with your colleagues. I wish you well on your journey, and I look forward to many more years of friendship with you.”

“I never expected that as a young girl born into a revolution and war in Iran that I would someday be the first out LGBTQ Iranian elected anywhere in the world and the first female Iranian mayor in America,” Shyne said. “I’ve had so many young girls come up to me and say, ‘I want to grow up and do what you did.’ So many people of color, queer folks, all women, have been inspired by the trails that I’ve blazed, and the best part of it are knowing that people like Danny Hang, our first AAPI councilmember, and so many others that were inspired now know that they can do what may have one day thought was impossible. Because there’s nothing in this world that is impossible.”