The annual “Key West Pride” event will carry on as usual in June but the new law, which takes effect Jan. 1 of 2027, will cut off approximately $135,000 for that event and two more. The other two events are WomenFest, a women-only lesbian event, and Tropical Heat, a four-day romp for homosexual men.
Key West, a tiny island located off the Florida Keys, is among Florida’s most popular tourist destinations.
The funding cuts were announced by Monroe County officials after they reviewed tourism grant applications in light of the new state law, according to The Miami Herald.
The anti-DEI law was introduced as House Bill 1001 by Rep. Dean Black, a Jacksonville Republican. Gov. DeSantis signed it into law April 6.
Mat Staver, an attorney who leads Florida-based Liberty Counsel, told American Family News he was pleased to learn about the loss of funding.
“No one should be proud about this deviant activity that they display, “he said. “There should be no state dollars, or taxpayer dollars of any amount, going to these kinds of situations.”
The one advertisement for “Tropical Heat” describes a late-night dance event in underwear and an all-night bar party with adult film stars. The plans for “WomenFest” include a “clothing optional” snorkel trip and Jello-O wrestling.
Staver said Key West has become a major tourist destination for families on vacation and a port of call for Caribbean cruises. So those families and their children enjoying a vacation shouldn’t have to be exposed to disgusting behavior at “pride” events, he said.
“They are flaunting deviant behavior. It is frankly nothing to be proud of,” he said.
