Key West Business Guild

10/16/2026

🚨G O O M B A Y is HERE!!!🚨

GOOMBAY WEEKEND IS HERE!

The sights, sounds, flavors and energy of Goombay are taking over Bahama Village!
As we kick off one of Key West's favorite traditions, a few friendly reminders:
- Watch for pedestrians and street closures.
- Walk, bike or arrange a safe ride when possible.
- Stay hydrated and look out for one another.
- Help keep our streets clean by using trash and recycling bins.

Have a great weekend, Key West!

Photo: Carol Tedesco

10/14/2026

Thank you to our Sponsors!🌈

10/09/2026

One of those street closures is for the "If the Shoe Fits" event happening Saturday night at 8 pm, outside of Bourbon St. Pub. It's open and free to the public! Don't forget to bring a chair!

10/09/2026

Join the 19.78 club today!

Full stop! 👀 A new way of supporting Key West's LGBTQ+ heritage has entered the chat.

Let's start with the name. Why 1978? In 1978, local LGBTQ+ leaders came together to found the Key West Business Guild, the nation's first LGBTQ+ destination marketing organization!

The purpose of this fundraiser? To keep our island's colors shining bright. ✨

Your monthly gift of $19.78 preserves Key West's LGBTQ+ legacy, supports LGBTQ+-welcoming local businesses, and strengthens year-round visibility and community.

All funds raised through the 1978 Club support SAFE's 1978 Founders Grant to the Key West Business Guild for charitable and educational activities that protect our island's LGBTQ+ heritage.

Comment or DM us "1978 Club" to become one of the first to join. 🧡 Your support means the world to us and our community!

Key West Business Guild

10/08/2026

We're getting excited that our friends at 22&Co Key West will officially be opening tomorrow!!!! The glitter is back!

10/08/2026

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday for our Key West Business Guild Membership Luncheon, our evening Mixer, or BOTH! It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces, welcome new ones, and spend time connecting with the incredible people who make our community so special.

Whether you joined us for lunch, stopped by for a drink at the mixer, or made a full day of it, your presence and support mean so much!

The Guild is about more than just business. It's about building relationships, strengthening our community, supporting one another, and creating opportunities to connect.

Thank you to our hosts, Jeff Smead and James Braun of Island Mates Manor and our luncheon sponsor, Keys Citizen!
📸: Pete Arnow & Ea Ruth

10/08/2026

Tomorrow is the last day to submit!

ATTENTION ARTISTS 🎨

Tomorrow marks the deadline to apply to become Key West's chosen 801 Duval muralist!

We urge all interested artists to please submit your application asap.

Are you the muralist we're looking for? ⬇️

We're looking for someone passionate about the LGBTQ+ community, our island's One Human Family philosophy, and creating art for a cause. We welcome ALL artists to apply, Key West and beyond. 🌎

What will this process look like? ⬇️

The Art in Public Places committee, which unanimously voted to grant $25K towards the mural. A committee will go through each submitted application and the selected artist will be announced on October 14th. The design then goes to the HARC board for approval (est. November review), followed by a vote from the city commission in December.

This permanent mural project will be a lasting part of our community. We're eager to see your talent and passion come to life in a location that means so much to us all! 🧡

Share this post to make sure no artist misses out on the opportunity to share their art and make a change. 🧡

09/25/2026

Mark your calendars!

SAVE THE DATES: 2026 HOLIDAY PARADE 🎄
Planning to participate? Be sure to mark your calendar and complete registration before the deadline.

The City of Key West has announced this year’s Holiday Parade dates and deadlines.

The parade will take place Saturday, December 5 at 7pm.

Important dates:
- Pre-registration meeting: Monday, October 5 at 4pm, Commission Chambers
- Online registration opens: Monday, October 5 at 5pm
- Registration closes: Saturday, November 21 at 3pm
- Mandatory safety meeting: Tuesday, December 1 at 4pm, Commission Chambers

Registration will be available at cityofkeywest-fl.gov.

(Photo: Casual Monday Charters)

06/12/2026

The City Attorney has now confirmed what many feared and sadly what we anticipated: Florida's new Senate Bill 1134 effectively ended the Rainbow Arch project before it could even begin.

According to the City's legal opinion, the Rainbow Art project cannot lawfully proceed because its purpose was to celebrate diversity, inclusion, and the freedom of LGBTQ+ people to live openly and authentically. The attorney concluded that even if the arch had been completed before the law takes effect on January 1, 2027, it would still be subject to the statute because it would require ongoing City ownership, maintenance, and support.
Let's be clear about what this means. The Rainbow Art project was not canceled because of a lack of community support. It was not canceled due to a lack of funding. It was not canceled because the project was flawed. It was canceled because a new state law targets initiatives associated with diversity, equity, inclusion, and LGBTQ+ visibility.

For years, the Rainbow Crosswalk and the proposed Rainbow Arch Project represented something bigger than paint, steel, or public art. They were symbols that told LGBTQ+ residents, visitors, families, and young people that they belong here. That they are welcome here. That they are part of the fabric of our community.
The removal of the Rainbow Crosswalk and the cancellation of the Rainbow Art project send a message. But so does our response.
No law can erase the people these symbols represented. No statute can eliminate the diversity that exists in our community. And no political movement can change the fact that LGBTQ+ people have always been here, will continue to be here, and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.

We are deeply disappointed by this outcome. We believe communities are stronger when they embrace inclusion rather than fear it, and when they celebrate diversity rather than suppress it.
Although this city-backed project was concluded before it even began, our dedication to equality, visibility, and belonging remains strong. The Rainbow Arch (or a suitable replacement) may not be constructed as soon as we had anticipated, but we are determined to do everything possible to restore our symbol of visibility and acceptance. We understand that we have the support of this community, and together we will succeed!

- Key West Business Guild, Inc.