Gay pride week key west
Key West’s annual Movement 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 color and possibility.
Pride celebrations in Key West are not a black-and-white old movie, steeped in shades of gray, but rather a technicolor spectrum of rainbows, neon, sequins, glitter and tutus.
And this year was no distinct. Add in the 2024 disco theme, and you had the perfect soundtrack for a week of diversity, dancing, drinks and good-natured debauchery.
The city’s Self-acceptance 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 100-foot section of the Sea-to-Sea Rainbow Flag that in 2003 stretched 1.25 miles down the length of Duval Street.
Key West Celebration 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 award-winning writer, reporter and columnist, she's been stringing words together i
Key West Pride Festival 2025 – “Still Rising”
Date(s): June 22–29, 2025
Location: Various venues across Key West, FL
Description:
Celebrate love, resilience, and unity at the Key West Pride Festival 2025! This year’s theme, “Still Rising,” honors the rich history and enduring liveliness of the Diverse community. Immerse yourself in a week-long extravaganza featuring gyrate parties, historic tours, sailing excursions, beach gatherings, film screenings, and more. From the vibrant Self-acceptance Follies variety exhibit to the enlightening Stonewall Uprising documentary screening, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Key West Business Guild
Don’t overlook the iconic Lgbtq+ fest 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 Equitable, or simply soaking in the island’s inclusive vibes, Key West Pride promises an unforgettable encounter. Key West Business Guild+1Key West Business Guild+1
Getting There from Boyd’s:
Most Pride events are located in Old Town Key West, approximately 4 miles from Boyd’s Key West Campground. Gu
Pride Weekend in Key West, Florida
Dusk has descended upon the Conch Republic and from the backseat of my air-conditioned Uber I see the twinkling streetlights of Key West, an occasional passing moped, and on the balcony of one of the city’s famed clapboard homes—a shirtless stud surveying the scene below. It’s Lgbtq+ fest Weekend, and the energy in the air is kinetic.
Key West always romances me swiftly. Genuine, the queer scene is smaller than in P-Town or Palm Springs. However, gay travelers are still very visible and easily stand out among the tourist hordes thanks to pronounced biceps and noticeably less fashion missteps than their hetero counterparts who seem content to walk around wearing baggie shorts, fanny packs, and jokey t-shirts sporting phrases like “Don’t Stare at My Cock,” a nod to the city’s ubiquitous roosters. Plus, I love Key West’s “One Human Family” ethos and laissez-faire attitude toward all who visit.
What I’ll discover this weekend is that most gay visitors alternate between as little clothing as feasible and none at all. Reluctantly, I put on shorts and a tank and head to dinner.
Garbo’s Grill (409 Caroline St. Tel. 305-304-3004. garbosgrill.net Celebrate PRIDE on a tropical island that is legendary for its laid-back style and its expose and accepting atmosphere. Whether you’re looking to party with friends, travel with family, or get missing in the magic of our tropical island, rediscover Key West and explore how one island’s One Human Family philosophy has created one of the most integrated and unusual communities in the society. Show us your celebration, we will show you our Key West Pride! Daily Activities Museums: Key West Butterfly Conservatory, Little White House, Key West Aquarium, Mel Fisher Maritime Museum, Key West Firehouse Museum, Key West Light 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 Express 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, Vintage Town Trolley Tours, Conch Tour Train, Haunted Key West, Ghosts and Mysteries, Ghosts and Gravestones, D’vine Wi
Key West Pride Week 2025
Show your Pride in Key West