Keep Key West gay!
In case y’all haven’t heard, Florida isn’t the sunniest place to be LGBTQ+ right now, thanks to Ron “Don’t Say Gay” DeSantis.
Despite the governor’s floundering presidential campaign and messy back-and-forth with Disney, he remains determined to deliver legislative attacks against the community, prompting several LGBTQ+ groups to call for a boycott of Florida tourism.
But as Dolly Parton once said, “If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.” And the queer community in Key West is asking folks to do just that and “come stay with us!”
A new promotional ad, entitled “Keep Key West Gay,” was released by popular (and clothing-optional) resort Island House, calling on the community to visit Key West as a means of celebrating the city’s rich queer history and supporting gay businesses.
Watch.
“There’s been a recent amped up fear of travel to Florida in our community, and boy, do we get it,” the ad’s narrator says. “But in reality, boycotting Florida doubles as a boycott of the gay spaces that have served our community for decades.”
The video, which puts a gay twist on the traditional political ad, likens the fight against Florida’s politics to past obstacles for the gay community, like Stonewall, the AIDS crisis, and Prop 8. In addition to testimonials from Island House’s staff, the owners of queer businesses like Bobby’s Monkey Bar, Leather Master, Alexander’s Guesthouse, and Bourbon St. Pub are also well represented.
The resounding message is a call for LGBTQ+ resilience, especially in the face of hate. “Our community has been visibly united for almost 60 years, well before the rainbow flag was even created,” the narrator says. “So why would we back down now?”
And the ad is certainly a reminder of how vibrant and diverse Key West’s gay scene is: “Keep your filthy paws off my silky drawers,” a drag queen retorts at one point.
That being said, it’s hard to tell how much DeSantis’ blubbering (but toxic) politics have impacted tourism.
In Orlando, Disney World’s GayDays seemingly went off without a hitch this past June. And many LGBTQ+ people continue to find Florida’s sunny weather unparalleled, though they may be visiting with their guard up.
Still, it’s an empowering reminder that the fight against anti-LGBTQ+ legislation isn’t about boycotting or hate-tweeting as much as it’s about supporting members of the queer community.
We say, “Keep Key West Gay”… and we need to call our travel agent.
abfab
Yes! Yes! Yes!
A video from every industry, esp the Educators and First Responders. Just imagine not having great, strong, brave Lesbians and Gay Men……….there to save and protect your asses. And no one but Nuns to teach your little children!
DESANTIS MUST AND WILL BE DEFEATED
inbama
With it’s beaches reporting water temperatures upwards of 100 degrees and residents desperate to find home insurance, can’t we just pronounce Florida’s whiny governor, his goombah wife and their “Poor Ronny-One-Note” campaign D.O.A. and move on?
I just heard an interview with scientists bringing bits of the Sunshine State’s last surviving coral reefs indoors for safekeeping until the climate change conditions are over.
Good luck on that.
DeSantis is looking like the mayor of Amity Island in “Jaws.”
abfab
We (not you @nobama) and the coral reefs will survive. We and the Marine life will recover. If there is an ExLax treatment for your brian, please take it. It’s constipated. You’re clogged.
Distracting from the issue at hand never works. You’ve tried that before, and sweetie, it’s sad and tired. Take a nap.
inbama
The disappearance of the marine life would be a great loss.
You, a definite improvement.
Kangol2
Inbama, I often disagree with your posts but I’m in agreement here about DeFascist. He is showing little to no concern for Floridians or the impact of climate change on the state. It’s almost as if he thinks he can just ride out this infernal summer down there, pray there are no hurricanes, and waltz into the nomination. He’s bad for Florida and would be far worse for the US as a whole.
Paulie P
I have not been in years but Key West of the 80’s was THE place to be. Now all those iconic places are gone, so are the gays.
Visit if you want a friendly time but nothing compares to the golden days.
abfab
Paulie. Focus. The entire video was about ICONIC PLACES that still exist! Ask inbama…..maybe he can help you.
1967Man
The statute says, ”Classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards.” In other words, it prohibits teaching “sexual orientation or gender identity” to children 5-9 years old. I think only the most dogmatic think that is controversial.
abfab
And you’ve never been a teacher. if you think it’s that easy, get a degree,
gaym50ish
That has since been expanded to include all grades up through grade 12.
abfab
”in other words…….” Like the 67Man has to break it down for us, in simpler terms. That’s funny.
He even had the nerve to insinuate that Gays are dogmatic. Ha! Even funnier.
Bonerboy
Liar. It’s for ALL public school students!
ScottOnEarth
I wish them well but I will never enter that hideous state while DeSantis is the governor. Nope. It’s a complete cesspool of the worst that the U.S. has to offer.
scotty
i do recall fantasy fest being the best thing ever down there in fla. went to my first in 89 after the grateful dead concerts in miami. the last weekend in october is always fun in key west!. screw rhonda satan he is an idiot.
storm45701
Unfortunately, the only boycotts that work are economic these days, so Florida must suffer for the actions of a far right legislature out of control.
Jim
Key West should adopt a Don’t Say DeSantis ordinance
linedrive
Now THAT is an ordinance I can get behind.
Chrisk
She’s his perfect mate when you consider what a complete prick he was when he was dating hoes like her.
“He would tell a potential date that he wants to take her out for Thai food, only he’d purposefully mispronounce it as “thigh” food. If the date corrected him. DeSantis would immediately bounce because he doesn’t want a woman who will correct him.”
abfab
Yes, Florida students will be taught Blacks benefited from slavery
Standards adopted last week by the state Department of Education are being blasted nationwide for what is being taught about African slaves brought to America.
Author: Harold Goodridge, First Coast News (On Your Side)
Published: 12:32 PM EDT July 24, 2023
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Department of Education and Gov. Ron DeSantis are facing backlash for new standards for teaching Black history. National and state civil rights leaders are calling the new curriculum reckless saying students will be taught that Blacks benefited from slavery.
barryaksarben
I live in Orlando and couldn’t have been more shocked by this insane intrpretation of slavery. He had the gall only yesterday to say he is right and that the TRUE story of slavery is a false narrative.. I doubt the man has ever read a book. There are so many first accounts of the horrors of that time that for him to say it came from total imagination of the part of DC pols is too too outlandish and insulting. The racism and sexism this piece of shit pushes needs to be stopped NOW
bachy
Key West will never go under!
abfab
Ernest Hemingway would never stand for that!
BECKYIAM 09
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bucky619
A herpes virus is a great metaphor for Ron DeSatan. I would love to get rid of him in 21 days!