Valerie Terrigno
Encyclopedia
Valerie Susan Terrigno was elected to the first city council of West Hollywood
, California
when it was incorporated in 1984. She was selected by the council to be the mayor, making her the first avowed lesbian mayor of an incorporated municipality in the United States.
Her best-known action as mayor was, after the city council passed an anti-discrimination ordinance, in taking down a controversial anti-gay sign, "Fagots Stay Out," that was posted in a local landmark restaurant, Barney's Beanery
. During her term, the council passed a strong rent-control law, and also began offering domestic partnership
benefits, becoming the second American city to legally recognize same-sex relationships (Berkeley
had passed a similar law a year earlier).
After serving for one year as mayor of the city (a largely ceremonial position that rotated annually among the members of the city council), she was convicted in 1986 of embezzling and misappropriating $9,000 in federal grant funds during her pre-mayoral time as chief executive officer
of Crossroads Counseling Center, an agency for the poor and homeless in West Hollywood. On the witness stand Terrigno acknowledged making "errors in judgment" but denied any criminal wrongdoing. Federal District Judge Laughlin Waters sentenced Terrigno to 60 days, which she served in a halfway house
. Terrigno claimed that she was targeted for being a lesbian, but jurors denied that her sexual orientation was a factor in their deliberations. She resigned her city council seat in 1986.
Terrigno's planned appearance at the 1986 West Hollywood gay pride parade, representing a local restaurant, sparked controversy. Parade organizers were prepared to bar her from participating but Terrigno voluntarily withdrew. Longtime gay activist Harry Hay
, angered at what he believed was unfair treatment, walked the parade route with a sign reading "Valerie Terrigno walks with me".
West Hollywood, California
West Hollywood, a city of Los Angeles County, California, was incorporated on November 29, 1984, with a population of 34,399 at the 2010 census. 41% of the city's population is made up of gay men according to a 2002 demographic analysis by Sara Kocher Consulting for the City of West Hollywood...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
when it was incorporated in 1984. She was selected by the council to be the mayor, making her the first avowed lesbian mayor of an incorporated municipality in the United States.
Her best-known action as mayor was, after the city council passed an anti-discrimination ordinance, in taking down a controversial anti-gay sign, "Fagots Stay Out," that was posted in a local landmark restaurant, Barney's Beanery
Barney's Beanery
Barney's Beanery is a restaurant and bar located in West Hollywood, California. It was founded by John "Barney" Anthony in 1920 along U.S. Route 66, now Santa Monica Boulevard, State Route 2, that connects Hollywood and the beach.-Summary:...
. During her term, the council passed a strong rent-control law, and also began offering domestic partnership
Domestic partnership
A domestic partnership is a legal or personal relationship between two individuals who live together and share a common domestic life but are neither joined by marriage nor a civil union...
benefits, becoming the second American city to legally recognize same-sex relationships (Berkeley
Berkeley, California
Berkeley is a city on the east shore of the San Francisco Bay in Northern California, United States. Its neighbors to the south are the cities of Oakland and Emeryville. To the north is the city of Albany and the unincorporated community of Kensington...
had passed a similar law a year earlier).
After serving for one year as mayor of the city (a largely ceremonial position that rotated annually among the members of the city council), she was convicted in 1986 of embezzling and misappropriating $9,000 in federal grant funds during her pre-mayoral time as chief executive officer
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
of Crossroads Counseling Center, an agency for the poor and homeless in West Hollywood. On the witness stand Terrigno acknowledged making "errors in judgment" but denied any criminal wrongdoing. Federal District Judge Laughlin Waters sentenced Terrigno to 60 days, which she served in a halfway house
Halfway house
The purpose of a halfway house, also called a recovery house or sober house, is generally to allow people to begin the process of reintegration with society, while still providing monitoring and support; this is generally believed to reduce the risk of recidivism or relapse when compared to a...
. Terrigno claimed that she was targeted for being a lesbian, but jurors denied that her sexual orientation was a factor in their deliberations. She resigned her city council seat in 1986.
Terrigno's planned appearance at the 1986 West Hollywood gay pride parade, representing a local restaurant, sparked controversy. Parade organizers were prepared to bar her from participating but Terrigno voluntarily withdrew. Longtime gay activist Harry Hay
Harry Hay
Henry "Harry" Hay, Jr. was a labor advocate, teacher and early leader in the American LGBT rights movement. He is known for his roles in helping to found several gay organizations, including the Mattachine Society, the first sustained gay rights group in the United States.Hay was exposed early in...
, angered at what he believed was unfair treatment, walked the parade route with a sign reading "Valerie Terrigno walks with me".