DRAG QUEENS SPEAK AT MEETING; OFFICIALS AFFIRM KEY WEST AS A ‘WELCOMING CITY’

Resolution Celebrates Creativity And Contributions Of Drag Community

Ya gotta love Key West, where four local drag performers spoke at the June 8 Key West city commission meeting, encouraging officials to approve a resolution sponsored by Commissioner Jimmy Weekley that affirmed Key West as a “welcoming city” for all.

“Given what’s going on in this state, I thought we needed to make a statement,” Weekley said when introducing the resolution. “Everyone has a right to be in this community and to live in this community as whoever they are. We are a safe haven for everyone, but it saddens me to know that people are leaving Florida because they don’t feel welcome.”

The resolution was drafted in response to a newly passed Florida bill that prohibits drag performances and drag performers from any place where children could see them.

The resolution that ultimately passed unanimously “affirms that the city of Key West continues to be a welcoming city, committed to ensuring the rights of residents and visitors, including drag queens, gender nonconforming, transgender, cisgender and all manner of humans to walk upon, and to use, public spaces while wearing attire of their own choosing (so long as it is in compliance with the city’s nudity ordinance and public health requirements; … Acknowledging the drag community for elegance and originality, for their ability to unite the community and for boundless events and contributions benefiting the charitable causes of our city.”

Prior to the resolution’s approval, local drag performer “Puddin’ Taine” told the commission, “These are some scary and troubling times in Florida for people like me … to have the hate from Tallahassee trying to govern us down here; to be told that what I’m wearing, or what I do for a living, is vulgar, well, please vote to keep Key West a safe space.”

Gary Marion, known worldwide as drag performer “Sushi,” told the commission, “You’re sending a message to all of Florida with this resolution, especially with what’s going on in Florida.”

Weekley’s resolution passed unanimously, despite some concern from Commissioner LIssette Cuervo-Carey, who ultimately voted to approve the