Key West’s favorite New Year’s Eve icon — the beloved drag diva Sushi — was among the star attractions at the opening event of the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association’s 2016 national convention and LGBT media summit.
A member of the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association photographs cohorts with Key West drag icon Sushi at the NLGJA convention’s opening gala. (Photo by Andy Newman, Florida Keys News Bureau)
The Florida Keys tourism council hosted the Keys-themed reception kicking off the Miami Beach conference, and everyone who walked through the door received silver beads bearing a tiny, kitschy red high heel — representing the super-sized heel that serves as Sushi’s perch during the island’s renowned New Year’s Eve “red shoe drop.”
Seemingly everyone knew about the drop and its star, and “Is she here?” was a common question from attendees. Most grinned with delight when they found out they could take “selfies” with the beautifully gowned Sushi and her best friend Kylie while reclining in the glittering red heel.
The NLGJA media summit brought together leading print, broadcast and online journalists, bloggers and other media professionals to discuss issues, challenges and perspectives relating to accurate and inclusive coverage of the LGBT community.
Attendees ranged from high-level CNN and CBS contingents to “People Magazine” editor-in-chief Jess Cagle and Mo Rocca, noted correspondent on “CBS Sunday Morning.”
A 100-foot section of Key West’s iconic “sea-to-sea” rainbow flag (shown here on Duval Street) was displayed at the NLGJA gala.
Also on hand, adding to the Keys vibe that flavored the opening gala, was a 100-foot-long section of the 1.5-mile rainbow flag that was unfurled on Key West’s Duval Street in 2003 — stretching the length of the street from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean in a stirring display of sea-to-sea pride.
Gilbert Baker, creator of the original rainbow flag, and a volunteer team spent months in Key West sewing the massive version to mark the original banner’s 25th anniversary. More than 2,000 people helped unfurl it on Duval Street.
Since then the 100-foot section has traveled the globe as a bright-colored “ambassador” for diversity — and at the NLGJA reception, it was treated with the reverence it deserves.
Guy Ross, who spearheads the Keys tourism council’s work in showcasing the island chain to LGBT travelers, put the finishing touches on the evening with insightful remarks about the enduring appeal of Key West in particular.
A journalist gets Florida Keys & Key West travel information from Carol Shaughnessy (left) and Guy Ross, members of the Keys team at the NLGJA convention. (Photo by Ashley Serrate, Florida Keys News Bureau)
“Back when gay life existed in a parallel universe separate from jobs, birth families and an intolerant mainstream, the LGBT community opted to vacation in out-of-the-way destinations,” he said. “And Key West has always been one of the few truly accepting come-as-you-are places where LGBT visitors could express their creativity, their freedom and their love.”
As well as reminding listeners that the island was the first U.S. city to elect an openly gay mayor, Guy cited current gay and lesbian community leaders and the huge number of LGBT vacationers that visit each year. He even assured attendees that, despite uninformed rumors to the contrary, Key West is “still gay.”
“Key West has ignored stereotypes and refused to see boundaries for centuries — and the LGBT community is an integral, fully embraced part of our little island,” he said. “Today, if you want to see what the future looks like for the LGBT community, come to Key West.”
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