New Hope is already known for its LGBT-friendly environment, and soon could have another LGBT feather in its cap: the first openly gay mayor in Pennsylvania. Donna Deely, 52, will take on incumbent Republican Mayor Lawrence D. Keller Nov. 5. Deely bested a number of Democratic candidates in the spring for the nomination. Deely, an out lesbian, was born and raised in Northern Virginia and moved to New Hope with her partner three years ago. She graduated from Marymount College of Virginia with a bachelor’s degree in communications and a minor in commercial art. Before moving to New Hope, Deely worked as the facilities-bureau chief for the Department of Human Services in Arlington, Va. Upon relocation, she quickly got involved in the New Hope community. She has served on the fundraising committee for the Bucks County Playhouse, volunteered for Aid for Friends and served as a team leader for Helping Other People Every Day. As a newcomer to political races, Deely said she was reluctant to run for mayor at first, but quickly saw her potential. “My partner and I were talking and the more I thought about it, the more I thought I had a lot to offer,” she said. “I worked at Columbia University and oversaw the resident halls there and thought that running a small town was almost similar to that experience. I had the time and energy, and it has been exciting and rewarding so far.” Deely said when she decided to run for mayor, she was not aware that, if successful, she would be Pennsylvania’s first openly LGBT mayor. “It would be fantastic but challenging,” she said. “Being the first in anything comes with its own challenges but it would be an honor to be considered as a role model and having people looking to you for leadership.” Deely found herself involved in the center of the marriage-equality debate this summer when several mayors across Pennsylvania, including Keller, refused to officiate same-sex marriages for couples who received licenses from Montgomery County Register of Wills D. Bruce Hanes. Keller and others cited possible penalties against their respective towns for their involvement. Deely said she is strongly in favor of marriage equality and would have officiated such a wedding if she were mayor at the time. “I understand Keller’s position but I also spoke to a couple of attorneys to get a perspective on what kind of position I would have put the borough in and it is my understanding it is not the mayor’s responsibility to question the validly of licenses,” she said. Hanes was ordered by the Commonwealth Court to cease issuing the licenses to same-sex couples. Deely noted she would not officiate a wedding once licenses were discontinued. In addition to advocating for LGBT issues, Deely said that, as mayor, she would work to broaden the communication among government departments and residents. “I would work to increase communications through websites, initiate a citizens- or residents-request system so that if you see something you want to report, you can go online and report it,” she said. Deely added that New Hope prides itself on diversity, making it fitting to have an LGBT community member at its helm. “All kinds of perspectives are important to have at the table and one of the great things about New Hope is we have LGBT leadership in every role in this town,” she said. “This is an absolutely gorgeous, wonderful and inclusive town.” Deely is currently accepting donations to her campaign. Donations can be mailed to the New Hope Democratic Committee, PO Box 325, New Hope, Pa. 18938. For more information, visit www.votedonnadeely.com.