Monroe County funds designated to attract tourists to the Florida Keys will no longer be available for several LGBTQ events that bring thousands of people to Key West every year.
The county announced the decision Tuesday, citing a law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis last month aimed at prohibiting public money to fund diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, initiatives.
This includes the annual Key West Pride event, a popular weeklong celebration that is held every June and culminates with a parade down Duval Street.
The law is effective Jan. 1, 2027, so Pride and the other events will receive Monroe County Tourist Development money this year, said Rob Dougherty, executive director of the Key West Business Guild, an LGBTQ marketing group that was started in 1978 and organizes the events.
“Obviously for 2026, we’re good. 2027 is going to be a challenge, but Key West always rises above adversity, especially when the wind is against us,” Dougherty told the Miami Herald. “I’m confident we will carry on without a hitch.”
For the current year, the Guild received a total of more than $135,000 for Key West Pride, WomenFest, held in September, and Tropical Heat, an annual event held in August, Dougherty said.
“We’re losing that all together,” he said.
That money is not directly handed out to qualified organizations. Rather, Dougherty said, groups submit records showing spending on things like marketing, social media and vendors, and the TDC reimburses some of those costs. The TDC is funded by a so-called bed tax, a 4% tax on every short-term rental of six months or less, including hotel and motel rooms.
Roughly $50,000 a year for the operation of the Guild’s Gay Key West Visitor Center, located at 808 Duval St. in the heart of the Southernmost City’s business district, might also be at risk because of the new law, Dougherty said.
“We have not received confirmation yet. I made the inquiries,” he said.
Source: Drudge Report
