Queer Keys

💗💜💙 CELEBRATING BI VISIBILITY💗💜💙

Each year, September 23 marks Bi Visibility Day, the culmination of Bisexual Awareness Week (September 16–23).

First observed in 1999 by activists Wendy Curry, Michael Page, and Gigi Raven Wilbur, Bi Visibility Day was created to celebrate bisexual people, increase visibility, and challenge stigma and erasure. Michael Page also designed the bisexual pride flag in 1998, creating an enduring symbol of bi+ visibility and pride.

At Q***r Keys, we celebrate and uplift our bisexual and bi+ community year-round.

Love Is Love. Community Is Everything.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, our upcoming Transformational Breath-work class that was being held on 9/29 has been postponed until further notice.

We appreciate everyone who has shown interest in joining us and apologize for any inconvenience. We’ll share an update as soon as a new date is confirmed.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support of the Q***r Keys Wellness Program.

Love is love. Community is everything. Wellness is resilience.

So folks get confused when first going to drop off food at our Bahama Village Little Pantry. Because of all of our one way streets in Bahama Village - which also switch directions (they are funky like us in Bahama Village).

So to get to the Little Pantry you will go down Emma Street and turn onto Julia St going west through the middle of the Fort Village Public Housing Complex toward the Truman Navy Base. You will dead end on Fort Street and make a left and the you will dead end at the corner of Fort and Amelia and you will see our Bahama Village Little Pantry sitting loud and proud at the corner. 💕

A huge thank you to Claire Brummell, Queen Mother, for the time, energy, and heart she has poured into creating the Queen Mother Community Project, and for helping raise $899 for Q***r Keys!

We’re also incredibly grateful to Alexander's Guesthouse Key West, Tijon Key West and Graffitti for their support and for helping make this fundraiser possible.

Community partnerships like these help Q***r Keys continue providing vital resources, strengthening connections, and building a more inclusive and supportive community throughout Key West.

Thank you to Claire, our community partners, and everyone who contributed. Your support directly helps us continue our mission to support, educate, empower, and celebrate the LGBTQI+ community.

Love Is Love. Community Is Everything.

Due to scheduling conflicts, this month’s Gender Expansive Meetup (GEM) has been postponed.

Our monthly meetup, typically held on the third Friday of each month, will resume next week. We look forward to gathering then for an evening of connection, conversation, and community.

Thank you for your understanding and flexibility. We can’t wait to see everyone next week!

Love Is Love. Community Is Everything.

To my beautiful LGBTQI+ community and allies across the Florida Keys,

I’m Jai Somers, and I’m honored to introduce myself as the new Executive Director of Q***r Keys, Inc.

I’m a Montreal-born, Hollywood, FL-raised, Fresh Water Conch who got to Key West in 2002

I’ve been a fierce advocate for equality & justice for as long as I can remember. My journey led me to the University of South Florida, where I earned both my BA and MA in Women’s Studies, along with a Minor in Fine Arts.

For the past 20 years, I directed Florida Keys Children’s Shelter’s Project Lighthouse, a drop-in center/outreach program serving runaway, unhoused, and at-risk youth.

My proudest local accomplishments include founding the KWHS Gay-Straight Alliance(2015), becoming Supreme Commander of the Conch Republic Military Farces (2023), creating the Conch Republic Army’s Division of Rainbow Ops 🌈(2024), organizing the 24-Hour Crossing Guard Watch at the Rainbow Crosswalks (2025), and helping Mayor Sam win as his Campaign Manager.

I’m incredibly excited to begin this next chapter with Q***r Keys, and I’m looking forward to continuing our mission to Support, Educate, Empower, & Celebrate our beautiful, vibrant LGBTQIA+ community across The Keys!

📅 Save the Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026
🕛12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
📍Q***r Keys Community Center
1100 Truman Avenue

Join me and the team behind Q***r Keys for a special Meet & Greet! We’d love the opportunity to get to know you, answer your questions, share our vision for Q***r Keys, and get to celebrate the incredible community we have the privilege of serving.

Know what makes the day even more special? It just so happens to be the 2nd Anniversary of the opening of the Q***r Keys Community Center!

Whether you’ve been with us from the beginning or are just discovering Q***r Keys, I’d love the chance to welcome you and discuss this exciting new chapter together!

See you on October 10th!

With love & gratitude,
“Scarlett”Jai Somers
Executive Director,
Q***r Keys

We’ve got some BIG news coming soon!

A new chapter is beginning at The Q***r Keys Community Center, and we can’t wait to share it with you all!
Stay tuned!

Love is Love. Community Is Everything!

***rkeys

Rainbow Crosswalk Memorial Fundraiser 🌈
Wednesday, September 9 | 6–8 PM
Bourbon Street Pub | Key West
Suggested Donation: $10

September 9th marks one year since Key West’s rainbow crosswalks were removed from Duval Street. On this anniversary, we’re bringing the community together not only to remember what they represented, but to help create something that will preserve their story for generations to come.

Behind the scenes, the Key West Business Guild has been working with the City of Key West on a multi-step approach to create a Rainbow Crosswalk Memorial and recognize the broader LGBTQ+ history of Key West.

During this fundraiser, we will unveil renderings of several historical placards planned for Duval Street. Owned and managed by the Key West Business Guild, these placards will provide an opportunity for our community to tell our story and exercise our freedom of speech.

The placards will explore the history of Key West’s LGBTQ+ community, including the story and significance of the former rainbow crosswalks.

🌈 BRINGING THE RAINBOW BACK THROUGH AUGMENTED REALITY

One of the most exciting elements planned for the project is an Augmented Reality experience connected to the Rainbow Crosswalk placard.

Visitors will be able to scan a QR code with their phone and, using their camera, virtually see the rainbow crosswalk restored to the street in front of them.

While this technology will create an incredible way for residents and visitors to experience this piece of Key West history, developing and maintaining the AR experience requires a significant investment. Funds raised during this event will help make that technology — and the larger memorial project — possible.

🏳️‍🌈 ABOUT THE FUNDRAISER

There will be a suggested donation of $10 per person to attend.

Each attendee will receive a piece of chalk — a small way for all of us to continue adding color to our beautiful island.

We will also have donated items available to bid on throughout the evening, with proceeds benefiting the memorial project.

We are grateful to our friends and supporters at Gay Key West, who are helping us raise funds for this project through their 501(c)(3).

🏳️‍🌈 BUSINESS SPONSORSHIPS

A limited number of businesses will also have the opportunity to sponsor one of the historical placards.

Only four placard sponsorships will initially be available. Sponsoring businesses will receive recognition including their logo on the sponsored sign as well as recognition on the website being developed to host the Augmented Reality experience.

Businesses interested in sponsorship are encouraged to reach out early.

💗 WANT TO HELP?

If you or your business would like to donate an auction item, contribute funds, or inquire about sponsoring a placard, please contact:

Jordan Upchurch
📧 [email protected]

Key West’s rainbow crosswalk was more than paint on pavement. It became a symbol of our community, our history, and the welcoming spirit that has made this island a home for generations of LGBTQ+ people.

The colors may have been removed from the street, but the history cannot be erased.

Join us September 9 as we remember the past — and help create what comes next. 🌈

Donation Link: https://qrco.de/bgz3hD

Join us tomorrow 8/25 for Transformational Breathwork at 7PM at the Q***r Keys Community Center 1100 Truman Ave. and experience a guided practice designed to help you:

• Release tension
• Improve mindfulness
• Support emotional well-being
• Create space for healing and personal growth

Love is Love. Community Is Everything. Wellness Is Resilience