Pride Month

BY MAGGIE OLIVE KLEIN 

With June, comes Pride. LGBTQ+ Pride month is celebrated each year in the month of June, honoring the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan: the tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. Members of the community and allies alike spend the month celebrating, honoring, and prioritizing the lives and experiences of the gay community. Here in Key West, we take our celebration to the next level. 

The Key West Business Guild (KWBG), a not-for-profit organization devoted to promoting Key West to LGBTQ+ travelers since 1978, as Key West has a notably open and welcoming attitude towards any and all identities, is member based, and has about 500 local business members and supporters! In addition, it is the nation’s first LGBTQ+ destination marketing organization. 

Fritzie Estimond, the KWBG coordinator, was able to shed some light on the history of Gay Key West, as well as some information regarding the upcoming events for the most special month of the year! When asked about how Key West, KWBG in particular, came to gain such traction in the LGBTQ+ community, Estimond says, “We exist because at least 45 years ago, local gay business owners were hoping to have a specific section in part of the chamber of commerce and were denied that. So, in true gay fashion, they did the work themselves, and thats why we are able to do what we do today.” She goes on to say how hard those before her worked in order to spread their voice, gain recognition, and form a community bigger than just two people in one office. 

With that being said, you might be wondering, “how can I participate this year, in celebrating myself, or other members, as well as the success of KWBG?” Well, head over to gaykeywestfl.com! There is a lengthy itinerary of what’s to occur from June 1-5, and trust us, you do not want to miss it. From pre games to pool parties, drag shows to Pride Mass, and ally parties to gay anthems, the five days will surely make for an amazing celebration, and educate those that might not be as informed about the community. Estimond is most excited for the parade, which will take place from 5-7 pm on Sunday, June 5th. After three years of not having the parade, this year will mark a return to the celebration. Estimond says, “I’m really excited to have the parade back. Outside of the street fairs, that is the thing that literally brings the entire community together. You’ll see anyone from infants to elders, cheering and supporting us as we are marching, drenched in sweat, but smiling from ear to ear. It’s so great to see, after putting in so much. The result really makes all of the work worth it.” 

Estimond explains that their goal this year is to not only make sure that their voices are heard screaming “gay” all the way up north, but to also focus a lot of attention on the trans community. She says, “We have made it our mission to be sure to include the trans community as part of our celebration. There are two local trans women speaking at our Luncheon, who are also grand marshals for the parade. It’s so important to tell the stories of the trans community, and to make sure that people are educated on the disparities they are faced with.” We are very excited to see what this year has in store for Pride! So, whether you identify with the LGBTQ+ community, or you’re an ally, Key West Pride, June 1-5, is something you do not want to miss! Say Gay!

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