An estimated 200 demonstrators filled Bayview Park and lined the surrounding streets on March 25 to Rally for Our Rights.
The nonprofit Queer Keys organized the rally, where the Key West Business Guild orchestrated a letter-writing campaign to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez.“Like many states in the country, Florida is currently awash in anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation. From criminalizing gender-affirming care to the erasure of LGBTQIA+ people from public education to banning inclusive books, our state government is actively working to instill fear, impose a particular worldview, and take away life chances from members of our community,” states a press release announcing the rally. “Key West is a powerful community, and while it may feel sometimes like we are a world away, we are not. We have a responsibility to stand as and with our LGBTQIA+ community in the face of state oppression and attacks on our humanity. … We want to show Tallahassee that the Conch Republic believes in equity, justice and love for all members of our One Human Family.”
