17 January 2020
KEY WEST, Fla. — The Monroe County Tourist Development Council, the destination-marketing organization for the Florida Keys & Key West, recently debuted a video exploring Key West’s heritage as a pioneering LGBTQ destination and its contemporary attractions for some 250,000 LGBTQ travelers that visit each year.
The video features unscripted commentary from members of Key West’s LGBTQ community on topics including the island’s longstanding embrace of equality and diversity, the origin and development of its all-welcome “One Human Family” philosophy, the creation and meaning of its 1.25-mile-long sea-to-sea rainbow flag, famous LGBTQ residents such as Tennessee Williams and activities and nightlife awaiting today’s visitors.
Commentary is paired with footage of special events including Key West Pride and Womenfest, crowds unfurling a giant rainbow flag along the island’s famed Duval Street, attractions such as the Tennessee Williams Museum and other elements that make the destination an appealing vacation choice for LGBTQ visitors of all ages.
The video also addresses the question of whether Key West is “still gay” — sometimes posed by people who wonder if the island’s time-honored inclusiveness might have diluted its LGBTQ flair.
“Is Key West still as gay as it used to be?” mused resident Fritzie Estimond in the video. “The true answer is, I think we’re so gay that we’ve become straight-friendly!”
The five-minute video can be viewed in the LGBTQ section of the Florida Keys & Key West tourism website (fla-keys.com/key-west/lgbtq/) and on the “Florida Keys TV” YouTube channel.
Florida Keys & Key West LGBTQ information: fla-keys.com/key-west/lgbtq/
Key West visitor information: fla-keys.com/keywest or gaykeywestfl.com
Social: Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • Youtube • Keys Voices blog
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The video features unscripted commentary from members of Key West’s LGBTQ community on topics including the island’s longstanding embrace of equality and diversity, the origin and development of its all-welcome “One Human Family” philosophy, the creation and meaning of its 1.25-mile-long sea-to-sea rainbow flag, famous LGBTQ residents such as Tennessee Williams and activities and nightlife awaiting today’s visitors.
Commentary is paired with footage of special events including Key West Pride and Womenfest, crowds unfurling a giant rainbow flag along the island’s famed Duval Street, attractions such as the Tennessee Williams Museum and other elements that make the destination an appealing vacation choice for LGBTQ visitors of all ages.
The video also addresses the question of whether Key West is “still gay” — sometimes posed by people who wonder if the island’s time-honored inclusiveness might have diluted its LGBTQ flair.
“Is Key West still as gay as it used to be?” mused resident Fritzie Estimond in the video. “The true answer is, I think we’re so gay that we’ve become straight-friendly!”
The five-minute video can be viewed in the LGBTQ section of the Florida Keys & Key West tourism website (fla-keys.com/key-west/lgbtq/) and on the “Florida Keys TV” YouTube channel.
Florida Keys & Key West LGBTQ information: fla-keys.com/key-west/lgbtq/
Key West visitor information: fla-keys.com/keywest or gaykeywestfl.com
Social: Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • Youtube • Keys Voices blog
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