Tag Archives: Key West

FLORIDA: Gov. Rick Scott Urges Evacuations, Says Irma Is “Bigger, Faster, And Stronger Than Andrew” [VIDEO]

The Miami Herald reports: One of the most powerful hurricanes on record continued steaming toward South Florida early Wednesday, with its course after three days still shifting. In their early morning discussion, National Hurricane Center forecasters said the latest model runs have moved Irma’s path slightly to the east, taking the fierce Cat 5 storm over Florida’s east coast or …

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Mandatory Evacuation For Florida Keys Ahead Of Irma

Miami’s CBS affiliate reports: Evacuation orders are being given in the Florida Keys as Monroe County emergency managers prepare for Hurricane Irma. “For the Florida Keys, if you were to create the worst case scenario that is what we are looking at,” said Monroe Co. Emergency Operations Center Director Martin Senterfitt. The grim outlook prompted Senterfitt to order mandatory evacuations. …

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KEY WEST: Victims Refuse Courtroom Hug Offered By “You’re In Trump Country Now” Gay-Basher

The Miami Herald reports: A Florida Keys judge refused to give jail time to a North Carolina man who admitted to assaulting a couple with gay slurs, threats and knocking one off his bicycle by ramming his scooter into him. Brandon Ray Davis, 30, admitted calling Kevin Paul Taylor and Kevin Seymour “faggots,” and yelling, “You’re in Trump country now!” …

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KEY WEST: Hate Crime Charge For Man Who Shouted “You Live In Trump Country” During Gay Bashing

The Miami Herald reports: A man accused of a homophobic hate crime in downtown Key West was arrested Wednesday morning in North Carolina and will be extradited to Monroe County for prosecution, authorities say. The Key West Police Department said Brandon Ray Davis, 30, was taken into custody by the Onslow County (N.C.) Sheriff’s Office on an “extraditable warrant” for …

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Swag Tuesday: Ending Anita

We have a very special Swag Tuesday today – three autographed copies of Ending Anita, our own Father Tony Adams’ recounting of how two Key West bartenders become the first couple in Florida to win a same-sex marriage lawsuit. From the book’s Amazon description: ENDING ANITA is the story of Aaron Huntsman and Lee Jones, the two gay, outspoken and …

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Morning View: Island House Key West

Alas, our annual holiday week at the eternally fabulous Island House is drawing to a close and tomorrow morning we’ll head back up the Overseas Highway to Fort Lauderdale. This year’s visit got off to a bit of a rainy start, but it’s been clear skies and 80 degrees ever since. (And yes, I’ve been noting the 10 degree wind …

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Morning View: Island House Key West

Yesterday I arrived in Key West for my eighth (maybe ninth) annual holiday stay at the fabulous Island House. The joint was jumping last night but things are rather sedate at the moment due to the hour and a bit of warm rain. On Thursday I’ll be attending the book launch party for Ending Anita, our own Father Tony Adams’ …

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KEY WEST: Drag Queen Sushi Marries After Traditional New Year’s Eve Pump Drop [VIDEO]

One of Key West’s most beloved traditions took place last night when local drag star Sushi was lowered to Duval Street in a giant glittery pump at the stroke of midnight. This year, however, Sushi (real name Gary Marion) finished the ritual by getting married before the adoring throngs. Watch it all below. I had the pleasure of meeting Sushi …

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Evening View: Island House, Key West

Another week at the fabulous Island House come and gone in a blurry and very furry fog of Iced Teas and Blood Marys. Another week of Father Tony and Coach Mike yelling at me to stop working and get into the pool. Tomorrow we’ll be back up in Fort Lauderdale and on Sunday we’ll be at Hunters in Wilton Manors …

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Afternoon View: Island House, Key West

Father Tony and I arrived at the Island House with our buddy Mike on Saturday and as usual the place is full of JMG readers. So here’s a shout-out to the Atlanta crew, Edward from London, Paulo and Etienne from Nice, Roger from Raleigh, Andrew from Quebec City, and Chris and Carl from Sarasota. Next weekend I’ll be up in …

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Key West Gets Rainbow Crosswalks

Via the Miami Herald: Key West on Thursday installed permanent rainbow crosswalks in the heart of the city’s LGBT entertainment district, at the intersection of Duval and Petronia streets. “Spanning all four corners of the intersection, the crosswalks feature bands of all six colors of the rainbow flag, an internationally recognized symbol of gay and lesbian unity,” according to a …

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FLORIDA: White House Sends Wedding Congratulations To Key West Bartenders

Key West bartenders Aaron Huntsman and Lee Jones were the first winning plaintiffs in several marriage equality lawsuits that ultimately resulted in their being the first gay couple to marry in Monroe County. That ceremony was carried live by Florida television stations and was live-streamed here on JMG.

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LIVE VIDEO: Winning Monroe County (Key West) Plaintiffs Aaron & Lee Get Married

Key West bartenders Aaron Huntsman and William “Lee” Jones, the winning plaintiffs in Monroe County’s marriage suit, will be getting married at midnight when the stay issued by federal Judge Robert Hinkle expires statewide. Earlier today Circuit Judge Luis Garcia lifted the stay on his Monroe County ruling, also effective at midnight. Watch the festivities live below. Other Key West …

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Key West Bartenders Get Ready

Miami may have stolen a tiny bit of their thunder (not that anybody, least of all these guys would complain) but we’ll all be watching the live stream from Key West at midnight tonight when Monroe County’s winning plaintiffs make it legal after eleven years of serving drinks in sin. Via press release: Two Key West men, whose lawsuit helped …

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Key West Bartenders Do The Paperwork

Aaron and Lee were the plaintiffs in the Monroe County case, the first of five consecutive wins in Florida. Their wedding will be live-streamed on Monday night and I’ll have that video here.

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Key West Winners

William Jones (left) and Aaron Huntsman are the Key West bartenders whose marriage equality lawsuit against Monroe County was the first of five wins in Florida, earning them grand marshal titles in this year’s Fantasy Fest Parade, the first “political” selection in the event’s history. Jones and Huntsman dropped in at the Island House this afternoon for an interview with …

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Morning View – Island House

All is quiet at this early hour at the Island House. As usual there are some JMG readers here this week: two self-proclaimed “flying monkeys” from Minneapolis, Mike from Atlanta, Russ from Manhattan, and a boisterous bear couple from Surrey, England. Say hello, boys!

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Afternoon View – Sushi’s Shoe

Key West’s Bourbon Pub is all set for their famed Drag Queen Drop in which local star Sushi is lowered in a giant pump at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve.

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Inside The Key West Christmas Cab

So this happened the other night on our way back to Island House. Father Tony writes: Joe and I returning from El Siboney Cuban Restaurant – per our tradition – got into the Best. Cab. Ever. The driver said, “Are you guys ready for Christmas?” We said no, and he fired up Bing Crosby doing the Hawaiian Christmas Song and …

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New From The Island House

Staffers here at the Island House let me know that they’ve created a bear-centric parody of a recent underwear commercial partially filmed on their property. The Island House Key West extends a warm welcome to all types of gay men, regardless of body type! Unlike our wonderful friends at Andrew Christian, we don’t all have chiseled abs and perfect pectoral …

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