Culver City Ushers in Historic Era with First Openly LGBTQ+ Mayor Freddy Puza

Culver City, California, a hub of the entertainment industry famed for filming The Wizard of Oz at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios, achieved a significant milestone on December 8, 2025. City Council unanimously selected Council Member Freddy Puza as mayor for a 12-month term, making him the first openly LGBTQ+ individual to hold the position in the city's 108-year history.

The event drew a large crowd to the Mike Balkman Council Chambers, where Puza was sworn in by the city clerk. His mayoral badge was pinned by his nephew, Matthew Greenstein, with support from extended biological and chosen family members present. Adding a whimsical touch resonant with Culver City's cinematic legacy, performers dressed as Glinda and Elphaba from Wicked and The Wizard of Oz attended the ceremony, posing for photos with Puza, including one where they formed a heart shape. Puza described the occasion as "truly, a wicked good time."

Puza, who first joined the City Council in 2022 and served as vice mayor, previously became the city's first openly LGBTQ+ person in that role. In his address, he highlighted the broader significance for LGBTQ+ communities. "It is an honor to serve and make history as Culver City’s first openly LGBTQ Mayor, after serving as the city’s first LGBTQ Vice Mayor. The significance of that is not lost on me, especially in a moment when LGBTQ+ rights are still treated as negotiable, when LGBTQ+ youth face disproportionately high suicide rates, and when being LGBTQ+ remains criminalized in parts of the world. This moment sends a message far beyond our city: a message of visibility, dignity, and hope," Puza stated.

Puza underscored the power of representation in leadership. "Diversity is not a slogan. It is our strength. When leadership looks like the people it serves, something shifts — not just in City Hall, but in classrooms and living rooms. It shifts in the minds of kids who have been told, implicitly or explicitly, that leadership isn’t meant for them. Today, they can see that it is," he said. Reflecting on his own journey, Puza noted, "Growing up, there werent many out role models. I was led to believe my future would mirror the narrow, negative stereotypes of LGBTQ+ people portrayed in the media. Standing here now proves those stories wrong. That door is open, and once it’s open, it doesn’t close. We move forward with pride."

The ceremony also marked other transitions, including Bryan “Bubba” Fish's unanimous selection as vice mayor, with his badge pinned by his husband, Aaron. Departing Mayor Dan O’Brien received thanks from speakers for initiatives like converting a gun store into a city-owned art space. The council approved Odis Jones as the new city manager.

Puza outlined key focuses for his term: advancing affordability and sustainability via housing and climate initiatives, enhancing fiscal responsibility through transparent budgeting, and promoting Culver City as a welcoming destination. He pledged support for immigrant families, LGBTQ+ residents, and tenants, affirming the city's commitment to protecting civil rights and human dignity. "This is a new day in Culver City and I’m honored to work with the new City Manager to create new opportunities and way of operating in the city," Puza remarked. He committed to making Culver City "a destination and a home that’s welcoming for all."

The full City Council meeting is available on the Culver City YouTube channel, with Puza presiding over the next session on January 12, 2026. This election reinforces Culver City's role as a progressive leader in local governance, particularly for LGBTQ+ visibility amid national and global challenges.