KEY WEST, Fla. — The Key West City Commission voted unanimously Thursday to provide $25,000 in public-art funding for an installation celebrating the island’s LGBTQ+ history and culture, advancing the project just months before a new Florida law prohibits local governments from funding or promoting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
The 7-0 vote recommends that the city’s Art in Public Places Board contribute up to $25,000 toward the Key West Business Guild project at 801 Duval St. The artwork must comply with applicable law and pass through the city’s normal approval process, including review by the Historic Architectural Review Commission, before it can be built.
The resolution was sponsored by newly elected Mayor Sam Kaufman.
The project was considered through two related items on Thursday’s agenda. Item 2 authorized the funding recommendation, while Item 42 opened a broader commission discussion about murals, painted benches and other beautification efforts in the 700 and 800 blocks of Duval Street.
The precise design remains subject to HARC approval. The commission’s vote provides the financial backing but does not constitute final approval of the artwork itself.
The resolution also draws a firm line at the end of the year. After the artwork is donated, the city will not provide funding for its maintenance, repair or upkeep beginning Jan. 1, 2027 — the same day Florida’s new anti-DEI law takes effect.
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 1134 in April. The law prohibits counties and municipalities from directly or indirectly funding, promoting or taking official action related to DEI. It specifically bars local governments from allowing public money to be used by employees, contractors, vendors, volunteers or agents to promote DEI initiatives.
The statute defines DEI broadly to include government-supported programming or activities designed or implemented with reference to race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity or sexual orientation. It allows residents to sue local governments over alleged violations and says municipal officials who violate the law commit misfeasance or malfeasance in office.
Recipients of municipal contracts or grants also will be required to certify that they will not use local-government money for prohibited DEI materials or activities.
The law contains exemptions for compliance with state and federal civil-rights laws, designated holidays and observances, certain monuments and memorials, and content-neutral event permits. It does not, however, provide an explicit exemption for locally funded artwork celebrating LGBTQ+ history.
That leaves Key West and the Business Guild with a narrow window to secure the funding, obtain HARC approval and complete the installation before the prohibition takes effect.
The commission’s resolution attempts to address that exposure by requiring compliance with all applicable law and ending any city responsibility for the project’s upkeep on Jan. 1.
The city’s official agenda describes the installation as public art celebrating Key West’s LGBTQ+ history and culture. The text of Senate Bill 1134 establishes its effective date as Jan. 1, 2027.
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I’m thinking that it’s a whole new ball game with the new city commission… Working towards harmony. Yay.