ECONOMICS, JUSTICE AND THE BATTLE FOR THE SOUL OF KEY WEST
“There's an epic battle going on in Tallahassee that literally threatens the essence of all that is Key West.”
Not quite The Villages (yet).
There's an epic battle going on in Tallahassee that literally threatens the essence of all that is Key West.
Tallahassee seems so far away. And, geographically it is. Culturally, it's not so different from Key West. (It's a college town and fairly open-minded.) But, like other university towns (Madison, Wisconsin, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and Nashville Tennessee) it is only a small part of a larger state. Tallahassee just happens to be the gathering place of the wolves in Florida.
It's tempting not to think about the shenanigans of the legislators from the mainland (and one from Islamorada). But, for anyone with a scintilla of foresight, their posturing now threatens everything this community represents, and possibly our economic viability going forward.
Let's cut to the point. Transgender people represent less than 1/2 of 1% of the population of Florida. They are an insignificant numerical group, and not capable of threatening any larger demographic. But, because they are such a small group, and are therefore politically powerless on their own, they represent the perfect target for demagogues - something which our state, unfortunately, does not lack these days.
Bills before the Florida legislature now (which are actually likely to pass) would, among other things, strip from parents and families the ability to make healthcare decisions.
How substituting the prejudices of the governor and his legislative allies for the decisions made by families fits in with parental or individual rights is not explained. As a sponsor of the bill (Rep. Randy Fine of Brevard County) said, “We put guard rails. That is the role of society. There are certain acceptable things that parents can do and, in our view, in the majority view, this ain’t one of them,”. So, that is it. Parental rights can only get us so far in a state determined to reach into some of the most personal and private aspects of families and individuals to impose the will of legislators.
“ He would be only too happy to let you make your decisions for yourselves. But sometimes you might make the wrong decisions, comrades, and then where should we be?”
As described in first person terms by one of our local residents elsewhere in this blog, the effects of such policies on folks approaching adulthood can be devastating. But Florida's all controlling legislators are not content to dictate to families about minors. They're also going after full blown after adults who don't meet their definition of conformity.
This is where the existential threat to Key West comes into play. There is, in fact, a huge moral imperative in this debate (and not on the side of the moralizers). But as we've learned in the past few years, watching local business leaders (most of whom don't actually live in the city) run time after time to Tallahassee to overrule local decisions, economics generally speaks more powerfully to some than simple things like morality or decency.
So, let's talk about the brand that is Key West and how that affects business.
There is no one "Key West Way” because part of our charm has ALWAYS been a spirit of acceptance and a live and let live attitude. This is embodied in the official city motto, popularized by the legendary J. T. Thompson - “One Human Family."
Current proposed legislation is designed to essentially make it illegal to live as a transgender person in Florida. If the current proposed legislation is enacted, transgender adults will face a grim future here. They will no longer be able to obtain their hormones via the telehealth providers that have been a lifeline. They won't be able to receive necessary health care from nurse practitioners and physician's assistants.
Onerous (and unprecedented) civil liability provisions make it highly unlikely that any local physicians can afford to offer transgender care. So, transgender health care (hormone prescriptions, etc.) will probably cease to exist in Monroe County. If a trans person wishes to use the restroom in a private business, such as a restaurant or bar, she or he will be required to utilize the restroom design for whatever she or he was designated at birth. (And businesses will face their own existential threats from the state if they don’t enforce these state mandated rules.)
What does One Human Family mean when the majority is willing to sit back and watch part of the family be eviscerated?
For creative people everywhere, what does it mean when Key West is silent in the face of such horrendous attacks on a portion of its population?
Key West can get sort of raucous at times. Imagine the quandary of a transgender woman as she is required to enter a men's restroom. Imagine the reaction of inebriated boyfriends and husbands when a transgender man (perhaps with full beard) enters the “ladies room”. Imagine when such incidents go viral and come to characterize the reputation of our heretofore open minded and accepting island.
In response to the near impossible situation our legislature is placing our trans sisters and brothers, many are fleeing the state. That's probably fine with the holier than thous who gather in Tallahassee. And, in itself, other than depriving us of some of the most creative and giving citizens of our city, it won't immediately affect the local business climate. But the wound to the soul will be deep, lasting and ultimately costly.
Maybe it means Key West won’t be Key West anymore.
Certainly, our weather is an asset. Certainly, the people who think of Key West as just a place to get drunk and go home won’t care. Certainly, we can become just another Daytona Beach or Myrtle Beach. Or, if we want to be more upscale, but with no soul, we can become the southern extension of The Villages or Sarasota. But we won't be Key West anymore. One Human Family will be a historical footnote.
Those of us who are not unhappy with the gender in which we were born (reminder, about 99.5% of us) don't always understand the struggles of those in the one half of one percent. But they are part of our human family. And if Key West will not stand up for them, what is Key West other than a warmer version of the panhandle?
This isn't about partisan politics. Our entirely Republican County Commission hasn’t spoken out against the current attacks on LGBT people (and drag queens), but they haven’t joined in the blood sport either. The Key West City Commission (with a more diverse partisan mix) has spoken out forcibly in favor of tolerance. (With the notable exception of Commissioner Lissette Carey, who voted against the humane city action. She’s also fine with banning the Conch Republic and pride flags from flying at city hall.)
Most of the other county offices are also occupied by Republicans. Back in 2015 the Republican Clerk of Court opened the courthouse at midnight so the first gay wedding in Florida could be performed here. This is not a place that engages in cultural wars. But if we don't speak out, visitors and potential residents will not make the distinction between the Tallahassee Republicans and the homegrown variety.
Unfortunately, the great secession of 1982 didn't stick. All the pity. We're bound by what the honorables are doing in Tallahassee. But to preserve our image and brand, we need to resist with all our might.
Our entire brand is built on being someplace special, not just another generic city in Florida.
Every business in Key West has an interest in seeing that this place is seen as special. We can't be special if we remain silent in the face of inhuman injustice.
The legislators in Tallahassee need to hear from the civic and business leaders in this city. Not just from activists, but from the Chamber of Commerce and the other business leaders who are so often more than willing to go to Tallahassee when they need something.
It's great when a small band of activities stand up to tyranny. But until those asking questions or saying "stop", or at least "slow down", include names like Spotswood, Toppino, Wells, Rossi, Lay and Walsh, it won't make much difference in the business dominated legislature.
When Key West is no longer seen as a safe place for everybody, creative and open minded people will look to alternatives, just as trans people are having to do now. There are alternatives. For those not averse to four seasons, Colorado and Santa Fe beckon. For those looking for warm weather escapes, Palm Springs (in safely tolerant California) and Puerto Vallarta in Mexico are reasonable alternatives. We have a climate advantage, but we're not the only game in town.
At this inflection point in history, where a tiny minority is under vicious attack, there's a moral imperative to act. But if the business community here can't see morality as a motivation, perhaps it should also think about long term business consequences of turning Key West into just a warmer version of Mississippi or Tennessee.
