Pittsfield City Council declares city a sanctuary for transgender and gender-diverse people, passes resolution 9-0

The Pittsfield City Council unanimously approved a resolution declaring the city a sanctuary for transgender and gender-diverse people after an extended public comment period in which residents and local leaders urged the council to act.

The vote came after multiple residents and advocates urged the council to adopt the resolution. "I call on the city council to also back the transgender and gender diverse community in Pittsfield," said William Garrity, a member of the Pittsfield School Committee. Councilor Costa introduced the petition and moved approval; the resolution passed by roll call, 9-0.

The resolution affirms the city’s stated commitment to protect access to health care, housing and employment for transgender and gender-diverse residents and reiterates local protections under Massachusetts law. In explaining the petition, Councilor Costa said she filed it after members of the local transgender community told her they did not feel safe; she described the resolution as "a declaration of our values" and said Pittsfield should be "a place where all people deserve to live with dignity, safety, and respect, no matter their gender identity or expression."

During the public comment period, several speakers described fear about national political trends and urged local action. Corey Walker, who identified themself as a member of the transgender community, said the resolution would "send a message" that the city stands by transgender youth and adults. Ephraim Alexander Schwartz, Gwen Morgan and others recounted personal fears and cited national steps they said were erasing transgender people from public life. Michael Taylor, who identified himself as an HR director and as president of a local organization, urged councilors to support the petition as a statement of the city’s values.

Multiple councilors spoke in favor before the roll call. Councilor Musa said the turnout and testimony were ‘‘moving’’ and that it was sad the measure was necessary in 2025. Councilor Kavey and others said they would support the petition as a defense of civil rights. Councilor Persip requested a roll-call vote; the clerk recorded the following yes votes: Councilor Costa; Councilor Cyr; Councilor Noto; President Pete White; Councilor Persip; Councilor Warren; Councilor Koebe; Councilor Konant; Councilor Musso. The motion passed 9-0.

The resolution is declaratory in nature; councilors did not attach an implementing ordinance or department-level directive during the vote. Councilor Costa and several public speakers urged further action beyond the resolution—support for local LGBTQ+ organizations, hiring and inclusion efforts, and vigilance about state and federal policy changes—but the action before the body at the meeting was the passage of the resolution itself.

With the vote complete, the council moved to other business on its agenda.