“There’s no place like home,” and Queer Keys finally has a permanent one.
The nonprofit group with a mission to support, educate, empower and celebrate the queer community in the Florida Keys marks its third anniversary this month.
Having started out in borrowed spaces to hold support and social gatherings for queer kids, the organization steadily evolved and increased its offerings. It recently opened the Queer Keys Community Center on Truman Avenue. A grand opening celebration will take place Oct. 10 — on the eve of National Coming Out Day — but there’s plenty happening at the center between now and then, said Chris McNulty, who cofounded Queer Keys with Janiece Rodriguez and is now its executive director.
The new center will host weekly Queer Youth gatherings for LGBTQ people aged 12 to 18. A parent and caregiver support group will also meet at the center, along with a twice-monthly meetup for trans and non-binary adults.
The center also houses a growing library of books by queer authors and books with queer content — fiction and nonfiction. Book donations are being accepted until the shelves are full, and an Amazon wish list is available at queerkeys.org for those who wish to purchase a new book to donate.
“We are introducing new public offerings like a bimonthly drawing circle, a book club, a knitting circle, a public wellness initiative, film screenings and other opportunities for the community to get together in intentional ways,” McNulty said. “During our public hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, members of the community can come in to escape the heat, use our free WiFi, computer, and printer; peruse the library; grab some water, coffee or tea; relax in our lounge; or access referrals to local resources.”
A wellness room in the back of the center eventually will offer massage, meditation and other services.
The center is a product of the Key West community, with furniture donated by Christopher Elwell of Royal Furniture, plants donated by Plantifa and murals created by Lance Berry. Bob Sanders and Grace Simpson built the custom bookshelf for the library and Bruce Walker installed the new AC, bathroom sink and chandelier.
“It will take some time to get regular hours posted, a schedule of programs and groups in place, and our library filled out, but 1100 Truman Ave. is officially Key West’s LGBTQIA+ Community Center,” McNulty said. Visit queerkeys.org and find them on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with the growing list of activities and services.
