Tag Archives: Key West

Morning View: Delivery Dogs

Father Tony and I arrived in Key West yesterday for our annual sojourn at the Island House. This morning I spotted these guys perched aboard the delivery scooter for the Old Town Bakery, my favorite breakfast spot on the island. The Mad Maxian delivery dude came out with an order, the pooches hunkered down, and off they zipped.

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FLORIDA: Same-Sex Marriage Plaintiffs Lead Key West Fantasy Fest Parade

Via press release: Two fighters for the Florida Keys’ same-sex marriage equality led Saturday night’s lavish Fantasy Fest Parade in Key West, capping 10 days of masking and costuming events in the festival that ended Sunday. Parade grand marshals Aaron Huntsman and William Lee Jones won a landmark court ruling overturning Florida’s statewide same-sex marriage ban for Florida Keys residents. …

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FLORIDA: Plaintiffs In Key West And Miami-Dade Suits File To Merge Cases

Last month the plaintiffs in the same-sex marriage suits brought in Florida’s Monroe and Miami-Dade counties won their cases in stayed rulings that only apply in the counties in which they were brought. So they are now attempting to join forces and get in front of the state Supreme Court together. “If it is approved, then this will be awesome …

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FLORIDA: Key West Marriage Plaintiffs Ask To Move Case To State Supreme Court

The two Key West bartenders who two weeks ago won their marriage lawsuit in a Monroe County court are petitioning to have their case heard by the Florida Supreme Court. Via the Miami Herald: On July 17, Monroe Chief Circuit Judge Luis Garcia declared Florida’s 2008 gay-marriage ban unconstitutional, ruling against Bondi, whose office defended the ban. Huntsman and Jones …

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FLORIDA: Motion To Lift Stay On Monroe County Same-Sex Marriages Is Denied

In a ruling that only applies in Florida’s Monroe County, last week a county circuit judge overturned the state’s constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. Yesterday that same judge refused to lift his stay on the ruling and allow marriages in the Keys to commence today. In the emergency motion, the couple’s attorney argued gay couples should be allowed to marry …

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BREAKING: Florida County Judge Rules Marriage Ban Unconstitutional

Via the Associated Press: A judge in the Florida Keys has overturned the state’s constitutional ban on same-sex marriage after a legal challenge by six gay couples said it effectively made them second-class citizens. The ruling was issued Thursday by Circuit Judge Luis M. Garcia and applies only to Monroe County, which covers the Keys. The lawsuit contended that the …

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At Florida’s Marriage Hearing

The Miami Herald has posted the below report on yesterday’s hearing of the marriage lawsuit filed by two Key West bartenders against the Monroe County Clerk. The plaintiffs and hate group leader Mat Staver appear in the clip.

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Mat Staver Calls For The Resignation Of Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi

“Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is giving only window dressing to the Florida Marriage Amendment. Bondi sent one of her staff attorneys to argue the case against the constitutional amendment, and her office filed a short, 14-page brief only a week before the court date. If Attorney General Pam Bondi does not want to present a vigorous defense, she owes …

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FLORIDA: No Marriage Ruling Today

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FLORIDA: Marriage Equality Suit To Be Heard Today In Monroe County

The Miami-Dade County case was heard last week and today is the Monroe County case. Two gay Key West bartenders are prepared to get married Monday in a Plantation Key courthouse if Monroe County Circuit Judge Luis Garcia strikes Florida’s same-sex marriage ban. “That’s all it takes is a walk across the hall. It’s just about 10 feet from the …

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FLORIDA: Attorney General Seeks To Intervene In Two Marriage Lawsuits

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has filed motions to intervene on behalf of the state in marriage equality lawsuits filed against Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. Via Steve Rothaus at the Miami Herald: Allen Winsor, the state’s solicitor general, states in the motions filed in local courts that Florida has a legitimate interest in intervening in the cases since they represent …

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FLORIDA: Key West Bartender Couple Files Marriage Equality Lawsuit

Two bartenders at Key West’s popular 801 Bourbon Bar have filed a marriage equality lawsuit against the office of the Monroe County Clerk after being refused a marriage license. Via Steve Rothaus at the Miami Herald: “We want the right,” said Aaron Huntsman, 43, who has been partnered for more than a decade with William Lee Jones, 42. Huntsman and …

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Key West’s Island House Is For Sale, Owner Jon Allen Hopes For Gay Buyer

As many of you learned several weeks ago, Key West’s famed Island House resort is for sale following the December death of Martin Kay, who owned the business with Jon Allen (above), his partner of 23 years. Knowing that I have made annual pilgrimages to the Island House for the last several years, I’ve been getting messages from JMG readers …

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New Year’s Eve, Key West Style

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Afternoon View – Goodbye Key West

Another sunny week in Key West gone in a dizzying blur. Once again, Father Tony and I scarcely left the fabulous Island House except to visit a few of our favorite restaurants. Huge thanks to Island House owner Jon and his very friendly team. Now, back to Fort Lauderdale.

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Morning View – Blogging Station

I spent some time blogging from that yellow chair, but then things went nuts with New Mexico and Utah and I had to retreat to my room. Too many distractions!

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Morning View – Island House Cafe

The Island House has been sold out all week, but the patrons rarely seem to make it to breakfast at the poolside cafe.

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Morning View – Old Town Bakery

This rustic little shack has been my breakfast joint all week.

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Afternoon View – Key West Xmas Tree

I think those are lobster traps. Photo by Father Tony.

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Morning View – Spanky

The unflappable Spanky monitors the front desk at the Island House.

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