KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) A packed room, including an overflow area, filled City Hall Wednesday night as Keene’s Planning, Licenses and Development Committee took up a petition from Keene Pride calling for the city to designate itself a sanctuary for the LGBTQIA+ community.

The proposal, submitted during Pride Month, drew passionate debate and competing petitions. Keene Pride’s letter, signed by more than 900 people, urged the city to make a public declaration that LGBTQIA+ people are safe, welcome, and protected in the Elm City. The group emphasized the importance of such a message in the face of what they described as growing hostility toward LGBTQIA+ individuals at the state and federal levels.

The idea of a sanctuary designation was met with both strong support and vocal opposition. Some community members recounted personal experiences of discrimination and argued that a public commitment would be a lifeline for marginalized individuals. Others voiced concern that singling out one group could be seen as exclusionary and inconsistent with the city’s goal of equal treatment for all.

A counter-petition circulated by the Cheshire County and Keene Republican committees argued that the proposed sanctuary language would elevate one group above others. That petition, with at least 225 signatures, called for broader, non-specific affirmations of inclusivity.

Mayor Jay Kahn said the city cannot formally declare itself a sanctuary city, but it can reaffirm a commitment to being a safe and welcoming place for all, including those in the LGBTQIA+ community. Keene previously adopted a Declaration of Inclusion in 2021, but some councilors and residents now believe the language in that resolution needs to be updated to more directly acknowledge sexual orientation and gender identity.

After nearly two hours of public comment and committee discussion, the matter was referred to the city’s Human Rights Committee for further workshopping of the language. City Councilor Phil Jones, who previously proposed updating the 2021 declaration, said efforts to revise the language are already underway.