Lakewood Council proclaims June Pride Month as residents urge trans-sanctuary and county ban on conversion therapy

Lakewood City Council on June 2 adopted a resolution recognizing June 2025 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (Pride) Month and received a stream of public comments urging faster local protections for transgender residents.

The resolution, introduced by Mayor George, President Keppel and Councilmember Strubig, passed on a voice vote; the council also voted to sign a letter asking Cuyahoga County leadership to enact a countywide ban on conversion therapy. Council members moved to receive and file the ceremonial communication and then adopted Resolution 2025-27 recognizing Pride Month.

Why it matters: dozens of residents — including organizers and members of the Cleveland Democratic Socialists of America, the Lakewood Youth Council and local residents with family members who are transgender — told council they want Lakewood to adopt stronger, explicit local protections now, not later. Several speakers asked council to introduce a dedicated “trans-sanctuary” resolution at the June 16 meeting and to work with state and local advocates to draft language.

During public comment, Matt Brown thanked council for the Pride resolution and urged “urgency” to combat what he described as a wave of legal and legislative attacks on transgender people nationally. Ashley L., speaking for Cleveland DSA, asked the council to “protect your trans residents here in Lakewood by introducing the sanctuary city resolution” at the June 16 meeting. Several other residents — including Prahalika Reddy, Ryan Bergstrom and Anastasia Kuriluk — echoed that request and described the national context; Kuriluk cited a tally referenced in public remarks that “over 867 anti-LGBTQ bills” had been introduced nationwide this year.

Mayor George and President Keppel thanked speakers and told the room they would meet with advocates to discuss a path forward. “It is absolutely on the radar,” Keppel said, adding that she planned meetings with TransOhio and other experts this week to discuss “our approach.” Keppel also said staff would follow up with interested residents.

Separately, Councilmember Strubig introduced a communication asking council members to sign a letter to the Cuyahoga County Council asking for a countywide ban on conversion therapy. Council voted to attach all council members’ signatures to the letter; the motion passed without recorded dissent.

What the record shows: the council adopted the Pride Month resolution (Resolution 2025-27) and voted to sign a letter to Cuyahoga County urging a conversion-therapy ban. The council did not adopt a trans-sanctuary ordinance at the June 2 meeting; multiple public speakers urged the council to place that resolution on the June 16 agenda, and the mayor said she would meet with advocates to discuss drafting and timing.

Community context and next steps: speakers repeatedly said they view local declarations as both symbolic and practical protections amid state and federal debates. Council members signaled receptiveness to drafting additional protections but emphasized staff and expert consultation; Keppel said she had just returned to town and would schedule meetings this week. The county letter and any future sanctuary resolution will follow council’s normal committee and public notice processes.