When Key West unfurled the world’s longest rainbow flag down Duval Street in June 2003, it was a day of celebration, pride and unity.
The same celebratory sentiments followed a large section of that flag, known as Section 93, to Washington, DC, when it was unfurled on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court following the legalization of same-sex marriage.
But the atmosphere changed and the celebrations ended in June 2016, when a gunman killed 49 people at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida.
Section 93 flew atop the Orange County Government Center in Orlando immediately after the Pulse massacre, and returns there every June to commemorate the victims.
Section 93 is now en route to Colorado Springs, Colorado for the same, unacceptable reason.
Key West’s symbol of pride and equality will fly at the Colorado Springs city hall this week to honor the victims of the Club Q shooting, said Mark Ebenhoch, who has brought Section 93 to places all over the world — to celebrate and to sympathize.
