The vote by Key West officials to protect the city’s rainbow crosswalks from potential state interference was unanimous and enthusiastic at the Aug. 6 meeting.
Mayor Dee Dee Henriquez, Vice Mayor Donie Lee and Commissioners Monica Haskell, Aaron Castillo and Sam Kaufman, who sponsored the resolution to preserve the crosswalks, voted to take all legal steps to preserve the crosswalks and the legacy they represent in Key West.
Commissioner Mary Lou Hoover was absent from the Aug. 6 meeting and Commissioner Lissette Carey, who had attended the morning session of the meeting, was absent from the evening session, when the crosswalk vote took place.
The vote took place following several impassioned pleas from residents, who spoke of the crosswalks’ significance to Key West’s reputation for inclusion and unity.
A new state law, citing a need for “uniform signals and traffic devices” to ensure driver and pedestrian safety, went into effect June 30 and requires all signs and pavement markings to comply with the Florida Department of Transportation Design Manual.
“Examples of non-compliant surface pavement would include any pavement markings … associated with social, political or ideological messages or images and does not serve the purpose of traffic control,” states a June 30 memo from the FDOT.
Resident Edie Hambright reminded the commission of the contributions of Key West’s gay community.
“Gays have been a part of the heart of Key West, from Robert Frost and Tennessee Williams, to Richard Heyman, the country’s first out gay mayor,” she said. “From AIDS Help during the AIDS crisis, the creation of Fantasy Fest and rebuilding Duval Street and Old Town with guesthouses, art galleries and restaurants after the Navy pulled out of the town, and most importantly, our sea-to-sea flag that was created, magically, here in Key West and stretched from end to end of Duval Street and that still reverberates around the world. The crosswalks symbolize our colorful community and our acceptance.”
Resident Sarah Compton also reminded the commissioners, “Key West has never defined itself by compliance or convenience. We are the Conch Republic. We celebrate resistance to overreach. We’re known around the world for our pride, our humor, our grit and our refusal to be told who we are. This city has always stood up for its people first. We didn’t build our reputation and our economy on blending in. We built it by standing out. These crosswalks aren’t just colorful; they’re sacred. They’re a promise painted into the heart of our city that says, ‘You belong here. You’re safe here. Your identity won’t be erased to make politicians more comfortable.’ So this is not about pandering to the people holding the purse strings. It’s not about paint. It’s about people. It’s about who we are and who we refuse to stop being.”
The commission’s unanimous vote to protect the crosswalks, which took place right after the commission issued a proclamation celebrating the crosswalks and the “historic gayborhood” they help to delineate, was met with applause from the crowded city hall chambers.
“Well done, commissioners,” one voice called out from the audience.
Kaufman thanked city staff, interim city attorney Kendal Hardin and the residents who spoke in support of the crosswalks.
“I know that we’re going to be successful,” Kaufman said. “This is going to be successful. So let’s keep the faith and no matter what, move forward together.”
Castillo also pointed out that the rainbow crosswalks are located at the same intersection marked by the decorative arch welcoming people to the historic Bahama Village neighborhood.
“That crosswalk is right in front of the Bahama Village arch, so y’all know you’re always welcome. God loves everybody. He don’t care what you are. He supports you and he loves you, more now than ever,” Castillo said.
