Key West Florida Weekly

The Key West Business Guild says goodbye to Matt Hon




From left: Mayor Craig Cates, Matt Hon, Commissioners Jimmy Weekley, Samuel Kaufman and Clayton Lopez. COURTESY PHOTO

From left: Mayor Craig Cates, Matt Hon, Commissioners Jimmy Weekley, Samuel Kaufman and Clayton Lopez. COURTESY PHOTO

Key West bleeds rainbows. Rainbow flags hang from bed and breakfasts and private residences all over town. Rainbow tutus pop out of store windows and a disproportionately high number of closets. For goodness sake, even the crosswalks haven’t escaped our obsession with the multi-hued symbol of diversity and inclusion.

Since its creation in 1978, the Key West Business Guild has sought to make the rainbow flag synonymous with Key West tourism and business. Its extensive tourism marketing campaigns promote local gay-owned, gay-managed and gay-friendly businesses to national and international travel markets, attracting approximately 250,000 LGBT travelers to the island each year and cementing our reputation as one of the most gay-friendly destinations in the world.

 

 

For the last four years, the face of the guild has been Matt Hon, a tireless crusader for the organization’s chief objective – to ensure that Key West remains one of the premier vacation destinations for the LGBT community.

“The mission of the Key West Business Guild is to market the island as a travel destination for the LGBT community,” Matt explains. “The original founders of the KWBG set out to attract more visitors to the island during those summer months when travel to the island would decrease dramatically. Over the years, we have seen more and more folks visiting our island during those months. The organization created three fabulous events to attract LGBT visitors — Key West Pride, Tropical Heat and Womenfest. Those events have filled hotel rooms in the slower months. Key West has historically been a place that LGBT individuals have retreated to, and we have worked to make it even more welcoming for everyone over the years. The organization has worked with elected officials and the community to brighten the rainbow over our little piece of paradise.”

Gilbert Baker, the creator of the original rainbow flag. COURTESY PHOTO

Gilbert Baker, the creator of the original rainbow flag. COURTESY PHOTO

Today, the guild includes 400 businesses that represent just about every aspect and industry of Key West’s vibrant local economy. The KWBG also manages the Gay Key West Visitor Center, 808 Duval St. The center provides general information about the island and offers lists of local events, businesses and attractions.

Alas, nothing good lasts forever and this month, Matt announced his resignation as executive director of the guild. In his stint as executive director, Matt has increased the visibility of the KWBG exponentially.

“There are so many accomplishments I’m proud of during my tenure at the KWBG,” he reflects. “The installation of the rainbow crosswalks on Duval Street is definitely one of them. Being the first city in the nation to have permanent rainbow crosswalks on our main drag should be a proud moment for our community. I am extremely proud that the city worked with our organization to make sure it happened. And extremely proud of the support that the community gave to the project. Those crosswalks are probably the biggest welcoming sign to the LGBT community visiting our island.

“With the help of some very important folks, moving the Gay Key West Visitors Center to the heart of Duval Street, just steps from the rainbow crosswalks, was also a huge accomplishment,” he continues. “I know over the years that I was involved, many people commented that the visitors center should be located on Duval Street, and when the offer came from Dennis Beaver to relocate, we couldn’t say no. Now we are on the main drag and visible to so many visitors. It tells those folks how this island embraces diversity and proudly flies the rainbow flag.”

As hard as he’s worked for the guild, Matt knows all work and no play makes a dull boy. Lucky for him, having such a high-profile position at a beloved local institution has enabled him to network in the Key West community and beyond. “Although I’ve had so many wonderful times here, one of my favorite aspects of working with the KWBG would be the fantastic folks that I’ve met,” Matt says. “Some of them are people I have looked up to for many years, like Gilbert Baker, the creator of the original rainbow flag, or having coffee with Kelly McGillis, one of my favorite all-time actresses, was a moment I will never forget. And the time that Leslie Jordan walked into my office was a total surprise and such a hoot. But also, all of the folks who I have met over the years from all over the U.S. and hearing their stories and how our little island has changed their lives. Being a part of the KWBG’s three major events that we produce each year has been a great pleasure. To see so many folks visiting our island during those events and having a fabulous time, that’s what it’s all about.”

Key West has become an inspiration to cities across the nation vis-à-vis LGBT acceptance, inclusivity and marketing. Although Matt enthusiastically embraces the growing market for LGBT tourism, he is quick to emphasize Key West’s continuing importance in that arena.

“A challenge for the guild in the future will be making sure folks don’t forget about our little island,” he cautions. “As many cities across our country are starting to market to the LGBT traveler (like St. Louis, Las Vegas and even Louisville, Ky.), we need to remind folks about how fabulous Key West is and has been for many decades and that Key West was an original travel destination for the LGBT community with a deep history of embracing diversity and equality. And we need to introduce our little piece of paradise to the younger generations and to have them fall in love and to return year after year, just as the older generations have been doing for decades.”

As he thinks back on his time with the guild Matt is overcome with an intense sense of gratitude.

“I really want to thank the community of Key West and the members of the KWBG for entrusting me with the organization,” he acknowledges. “Being the executive director the past four years has been such an honor. To lead such a historic organization has been amazing. And so many folks have been so supportive and I cannot thank them enough for all the love and happiness that they have shared over the years. My appreciation to those KWBG board members and staff that have stood with me over the years, and gave me the support to be successful as the ED and giving their all to make sure the rainbow continues to shine bright over our island. I look forward to watching this organization continue in the years to come and Key West to be just as wonderful and fabulous as it has been.”

Although he’s not planning on going anywhere anytime soon, Matt’s warmth will be dearly missed at the KWBG’s many monthly and annual events. His spirit and goodwill will continue to permeate the guild’s presence in town.

“I just hope that the rainbow over our little island is a little brighter today and that my time has made other folks fall in love with Key West just as I did when I first visited,” Matt concludes. “I hope that I inspired other residents of Key West to know the importance of celebrating our diversity and embracing equality for everyone.” ¦

One response to “The Key West Business Guild says goodbye to Matt Hon”

  1. Faith Billings says:

    Miss you in Ohio

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