March 17, 2004
Key West backs gay marriage
''Every movement has a start, and a lot of times it's controversial,'' Key West Mayor Jimmy Weekley said moments before the measures went to a vote. ``We're joining in to assure the civil rights of all Americans. We need to be a spearhead of this movement. This is just simply the right thing to do.''Posted by Norwood at March 17, 2004 11:49 AMWeekley was so confident that the measures would go through that he scheduled a break into the commission's agenda after the vote, where the resolutions were read on the Old City Hall's steps to a waiting crowd.
That the measures were entirely symbolic -- same-sex marriages still cannot be performed in Key West or Monroe County -- seemed to matter little to the 200-odd people gathered before Weekley, their emotions running high.
Pressed against her girlfriend of 10 years, Susan Kent, a real estate appraiser, said Key West's support of same-sex marriages sent a distinct message to other communities: ''This island is unique, it's not tolerance, it's acceptance of diversity,'' she said. ``You could do this too.''
Accidentally pinged this post.. please delete the trackback.
Posted by: Tommy at March 18, 2004 03:49 PM