Key west gay pride parade
Key West’s annual Pride celebration always reminds me of the iconic scene in “The Wizard of Oz,” when Dorothy opens the drab door of her humble home to a world drenched in dye and possibility.
Pride celebrations in Key West are not a black-and-white old film, steeped in shades of gray, but rather a technicolor spectrum of rainbows, neon, sequins, glitter and tutus.
And this year was no different. Add in the disco theme, and you had the flawless soundtrack for a week of diversity, dancing, drinks and good-natured debauchery.
The city’s Pride parade on June 9 capped off the five-day festival that also included film screenings, sunset sails, pool parties and drag performances. Once again, the parade featured a foot section of the Sea-to-Sea Rainbow Flag that in stretched miles down the length of Duval Street.
Key West Pride is one of the premier events presented by the Key West Business Guild and supported by local businesses and organizations.
Mandy Miles
Mandy Miles drops stuff, breaks things and falls down more than any grown-up should. An awa
Key West Pride Week
Show your Celebration in Key West
Celebrate PRIDE on a tropical island that is legendary for its laid-back way and its expose and accepting atmosphere. Whether you’re looking to party with friends, travel with family, or fetch lost in the magic of our tropical island, rediscover Key West and discover how one island’s One Human Family philosophy has created one of the most integrated and unique communities in the nature. Show us your pride, we will show you our Key West Pride!
Daily Activities
Museums: Key West Butterfly Conservatory, Little Alabaster House, Key West Aquarium, Mel Fisher Maritime Museum, Key West Firehouse Museum, Key West Beam House, Key West Ship Wreck Museum, Audubon House, Oldest House, and Garden Museum, USCGC Ingham Museum, Tennessee Williams Museum
Land Activities: Key West Food Tours, Up the Keys Eco Tour, Fort Zachary State Park, West Martello Tower, A & M Scooter Rental, KW Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden, Key West Cemetery, Key West Adventures, Papa’s Pilar Rum Distillery, Ghost Hunt, Old Town Trolley To
Don’t be fooled by its size: Tiny Key West knows how to throw a big party, and the LGBTQ community puts on some of the foremost. From Carnival-style fêtes to gown-clown extravaganzas, the island’s panoply of queer festivals celebrates all members of the alphabet mafia throughout the year.
Plan your next Florida getaway around one of these eight events, when Key West clocks are perpetually set to party time.
1. New Year’s Eve Red Shoe Drop
Photo: Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO
When: December
Ringing in the New Year is a drag — literally. Since , thousands of Key West onlookers have gathered around Bourbon St. Pub to see local flamboyant legend Sushi (aka Gary Marion) descend from the building’s second story in a six-foot ruby-red stiletto as the clock strikes midnight. The glittering spectacle is a campy take on NYC’s ball drop, and the eclectic crowds rival the hordes in Times Square. Young families, leather daddies, and bohemian grannies all show up to cheer on Sushi and her gargantuan shoe.
An outdoor stage features other performative
Key West Pride Festival – “Still Rising”
Date(s): June 22–29,
Location: Various venues across Key West, FL
Description:
Celebrate desire, resilience, and unity at the Key West Parade Festival ! This year&#;s theme, “Still Rising,” honors the rich history and enduring spirit of the LGBTQ+ community. Immerse yourself in a week-long extravaganza featuring dance parties, historic tours, sailing excursions, beach gatherings, film screenings, and more. From the vibrant Pride Follies variety entertainment to the enlightening Stonewall Uprising documentary screening, there&#;s something for everyone to enjoy. Key West Business Guild
Don&#;t miss the iconic Pride Parade on Sunday, June 29th, starting at 7 pm from Truman Waterfront Park and culminating in a grand celebration on Duval Street. Whether you&#;re dancing at the Tea Dance, exploring the Street Fair, or simply soaking in the island&#;s inclusive vibes, Key West Pride promises an imprinted experience. Key West Business Guild+1Key West Business Guild+1
Getting There from Boyd’s:
Most Celebration events are located in Old Town