June 10, 2011
Key West Officials Commemorate Pride Month
Michael K. Lavers READ TIME: 1 MIN.
Pride is in full swing in Florida's southernmost city.
Mayor Craig Cates presented Commissioner Teri Johnston, Police Chief Donie Lee and other Key West Business Guild members a proclamation in honor of the island's Pride Week on Thursday, June 9. "This week, the eyes of the nation and the world will once again look upon our island community as an example of harmony, diversity and acceptance," reads the proclamation."
Cates added Pride remains a "reminder to all of the ongoing struggle for social, political and personal equality" for Key West's LGBT residents, but islanders are known to celebrate Pride month in their own way. As EDGE reported last June, John Mumford and Rick Worth painted a massive rainbow flag on a former landfill on Stock Island that locals have affectionately dubbed Mount Trashmore.
Tens of thousands of people are expected to descend upon Key West through the weekend. The festivities will culminate with a Pride parade down Duval Street on Sunday, June 12.
Log onto www.pridekeywest.com for more information.
Based in Washington, D.C., Michael K. Lavers has appeared in the New York Times, BBC, WNYC, Huffington Post, Village Voice, Advocate and other mainstream and LGBT media outlets. He is an unapologetic political junkie who thoroughly enjoys living inside the Beltway.
