Key West Business Guild announces a new time, new location, and new partnership for the Gay Key West Trolley Tour, one of the nation's only gay and lesbian trolley tours. Beginning Saturday, Feb. 4, the tour will begin at 4 p.m. from the HTA Angela Street Depot (corner of Angela and Duval) and is being co-sponsored by Historic Tours of America.
"We're very excited about the changes," said Darren Paugh President of the Guild. "We've moved the tour into the afternoon which will attract more riders and will showcase our business members more effectively. And the new departure site on Duval Street will give the tour more visibility."
The Gay Key West Trolley Tour explores the architecture, history, and mainstream sites of Key West in addition to the legends and happenings of Gay Key West. From Mallory Square to the AIDS Memorial, the Hemingway House to Tennessee Williams home, this 75 minute tour captures the best of Key West with a gay twist!
Why a Gay Key West Trolley Tour? "We were concerned that Key West's rich gay history was being lost, so we felt it was important to do something that would keep that piece of our history alive," says Steve Smith, Key West Business Guild Outreach Director. "We created a tour to ensure that people would learn about the people and places that were influential in creating our unique One Human Family community."
The passengers that ride the Gay Key West trolley tour include visitors and locals, gay and straight. "I am always surprised at the number of visitors who take the tour every year that they are in town," says former board member and Guild Visitor Center weekend warrior Susan Kent. "The passengers often stop in at the visitor center to tell me how much fun they had on the trolley. They are surprised by the humor and the great stories they hear."
The trolley will depart every Saturday at 4 p.m. at the corner of Angela and Duval. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased in advance at the KWBG Visitor Center, through Historic Tours of America ticketing booths, on the www.gaykeywestfl.com website, or at the trolley. Each rider receives a special Gay Key West hand fan and goodie sack that features special offers from Key West Business Guild members.
Key West Business Guild is one of the nation's oldest LGBTA chamber organizations. It was created in 1978 to promote Key West to the LGBT traveler. Today the KWBG has over 400 gay and gay-friendly members. More information is available at www.kwbgonline.org .
