James Duke Mason

James Duke Mason is an American politician, writer, and political activist. In 2010, The Advocate Magazine listed Mason as one of the most influential young LGBT Americans in their "Forty Under 40" issue. He was named in OUT magazine's 2011 "Out 100" issue as one of the 100 most influential LGBT people in the world. He has accomplished more in his 23 years than most accomplish in a lifetime.

Mason is the son of music icon Belinda Carlisle and film producer Morgan Mason, and the grandson of the legendary British actor James Mason. Born in Los Angeles, he moved to Europe with his parents as a child. In an Attitude interview, Mason stated that he is openly gay and that he came out to his family and friends at the age of 14 in 2006. After graduating from Mougins School, an international school in the south of France in July 2010 (where he served as the Student Council's first openly gay President), Mason moved back to the U.S. to study political science at California Lutheran University. After a year he moved to West Hollywood, California to focus on his efforts in grassroots advocacy.

He was appointed to serve as a Page in the U.S. House of Representatives during the summer of 2008, and also worked as a volunteer for Hillary Clinton during the 2008 Democratic primaries. He has appeared on TV shows such as Dr. Phil, Nancy Grace, and Politicking with Larry King to discuss LGBT issues, has written articles for websites such as The Huffington Post and The Advocate, and did a YouTube video to back the It Gets Better campaign. He served as an official surrogate/speaker for the campaign of Barack Obama in the 2012 U.S. presidential election. He had a small acting role in the film What Happens Next, which screened as part of the Hollywood Film Festival. He served on the board of directors of OUTFEST from January 2012 to January 2015, making him the youngest member in the organization's 30-year history.

He was a candidate for the West Hollywood City Council in the March 3, 2015 election, and was subsequently appointed by Mayor Lindsey Horvath to her newly created 21st Century Leaders Task Force. In May 2015 he was selected to serve as Special Guest Grand Marshal of the Sacramento Pride Parade. In June 2015 he was appointed to the Board of Directors of the West Hollywood Community Housing Corporation.

He is currently the Co-Chair of the West Hollywood Lesbian & Gay Advisory Board.