Key west florida gay population

Lesbian writer Elizabeth Bishop, a US Poet Laureate, penned verses on the island from toand gay playwright Tennessee Williams was a local fixture from until his death in Locals made headlines in by electing Richard A. InTeri Johnston made waves by becoming the first openly lesbian mayor in a major Florida city.

Azura gay-owned restaurant with Mediterranean chops, is a sure bet for button-down dining. The acre park extends from a 19th-century military outpost to a rocky shore, where snorkelers dive down to spot sea life. For Speedo-clad sun worshiping, get yourself to Higgs Beach — a The shallow water and gentle surf are ideal for wading, but remember to shuffle your feet.

Join a ragtag mix of Conchs the nickname for locals by staking your claim to a stretch of sugar-sand beach, flying whatever flag suits you best. The city of Key West proudly adopted “One Human Family” as its official philosophy in — a move soon followed by Monroe County, which encompasses the entire Florida Keys island chain.

Those interested in encountering drag royalty should head to La Te Daa hotel with an adjoining restaurant and piano bar. Not all nightlife is about dudes and drag, though. Aqua, part of the multi-bar-and-restaurant Aquaplex, is famous for its nightly drag shows, performed by a trio of wig-tastic Aquanettes.

Photo: The Flaming Buoy. Choose from one of over gay skype craft beers on tap, tuck into a Hawaiian-style poke bowl, and relax in a palm-shaded hammock while listening to live music on weekends.

The glass-dome conservatory, run by Sam Trophia and George Fernandez, features hundreds of butterflies, tropical birds, and two very friendly flamingos. For open-water adventures, consider a boat tour with lesbian-owned, all-are-welcome Venus Charters.

The Florida Keys salute diversity and openness, and the subtropical island of Key West is internationally known as a top LGBTQ vacation spot. Queer culture is part of the fabric of Key West, Florida, where rainbow flags fly and difference is not just tolerated, but celebrated.

Daytime entertainment can be found indoors, too. Beach bums, sea dogs, and history buffs are spoiled for choice on sun-kissed Key West — and all the activities sport LGBTQ-friendly options. If you prefer a clothing-optional, all-male encounter, look to Blue Q.

Its foot catamaran ferries seafaring men to remote reefs and mangrove islands. For something more carnal, hit up Saloon 1where leather lads show off their gear at parties packed with hedonist chutzpah. Pub — a drink den kitty-corner to — calls to hordes of boys with New Orleans-level frivolity.

Star Wars fans: Peep the tchotchkes above the bar and in the bathroom for an intergalactic surprise. Lazy Dog Adventuresanother lesbian-owned outfit, leads kayak, paddleboard, and snorkel tours through mangrove creeks filled with tropical fish and aquatic birds.

Captain Karen Luknis lets guests customize their trip with activities like fishing, snorkeling, and dolphin watching. For dinner, start with salt-cod croquettes bathed in harissa-mint aioli, then tuck into the seafood risotto with mussels, scallops, shrimp, and white fish.

The charm Key West offers is so unlike other Florida cities that many locals call it "Unflorida" and consider the island to be "more Caribbean than the United States." Its reputation as a refuge.