"Hillsborough County Pride in Exile Day"
15 Aug 2005
Outraged over the Hillsborough County Commission’s objection to gay pride displays in public libraries that expose children to gay literature without their parents’ knowledge or consent, gays and lesbians, along with their many supporters, descended this past weekend on Key West—the gay Mecca of the Sunshine State. Key West community leaders and Monroe County elected officials declared this past weekend “Hillsborough County Pride in Exile Days.” According to the event’s planners and participants, Pride in Exile exemplified Key West’s knack for mixing a protest with a party.
The festivities began with a welcoming cocktail party hosted by Key West Mayor Jimmy Weekley. As attendees arrived, they were greeted by Key West’s famed drag queen Sushi. Along with welcoming all arriving attendees, Sushi also informed each one of the free shots of liquor awaiting them. Once liquored up, the attendees marched down Key West’s Duval Street. The march was led by a pickup with a feather boa draped across the dashboard and a huge, red high heel shoe in the bed. Next, came a 100-foot rainbow flag followed by drag queens, one of which, Melanie Minyon, proudly boasted, “I’ve been doing drag since God was a little boy.” As the marchers proceeded they were cheered by folks like Phil Anderton, a Key West business owner wearing a pink cowboy hat and a bikini bathing suit.
Following the march, a mock Hillsborough County Commission meeting was staged. The role of Ronda Storms, the brave commissioner who led Hillsborough County to adopt a policy of neutrality towards gay pride events, was played by Tampa drag queen Gina Maseratti, who was dunked in a swimming pool after being pelted with rubber chickens. Maseratti later went onstage for the “Dragged from Tampa” drag show. By midnight, thanks to organizers passing out rainbow decorated Hillsborough County library cards that were good for discounted liquor, the attendees were no longer marching and protesting, but staggering and partying.
Once they sober up, plans will be made for their next foray. Hopefully, it won’t be in a town near you. If it is, watch out for the feather boa, the giant high heel shoe, and flying rubber chickens. Better yet, just give them your library card. Chances are they’ll go away, not to checkout a book from the library, where all the trouble began in Hillsborough County, but to a bar for some discounted liquor.
Don Walton
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