Welcome

A rolling billboard for one of the local dirty bookstores.

This raspy-voiced fellow has been pacing on the railing outside my hotel room every morning.

I went whizzing all over the island on my little scooter this morning.

Yesterday Father Tony and I arrived in the mid-afternoon and were whisked to our Cypress House accommodations with instructions to quickly prepare for the Key West Pride kickoff party at Island House. After a few hours of poolside menz and frozen drinkies, we were hustled off to dinner at The Flaming Buoy (heh) where the co-owner related how a recent positive mention from the New York Times nearly sank the joint with business it wasn't yet ready to handle. Fantastic char-grilled scallops, by the way. After dinner, the irrepressible Father Tony continued onward to some of the bars on Duval Street, but I was zonked on the bed by 10:30pm. I am the party animal.

DISCLOSURE: As I mentioned when I first posted about this trip, our entire Key West shebang is being funded by the Key West Business Guild - airfare, hotel, meals, nightclubbing, hookers...everything. (OK, maybe not hookers.) As always for these things, press junketeers are not "required" to review or even mention any of the places we visit. If we do, hey, that's nice of us. If we don't, oh well. I usually only mention the joints that I liked. Just so you know.

Father Tony and I are staying at the fabulous Cypress House, where we have adjoining apartments. I'll post a slideshow recap of yesterday's goings-on shortly.

I love everything about Key West's airport, like the one luggage carousel. (Where's my bag? Oh. Carousel one.) But especially the super creepy multi-culti statue family on the roof.

Father Tony and I are about to board our little prop plane for the hop from Miami to Key West, where we'll be celebrating Gay Pride Week. Nonstop.

Remember when Letterman was funny?

(Source)

Tourisme Montreal and Montreal Pride are teaming up for a "Queer Of The Year" contest in which five semi-finalists will win trips to this year's gay pride week.

Whether you’re a do-gooder, a diva, the average guy next door, a girl just out of the closet or anywhere in between, from now through May 30, Montreal wants you to visit our Facebook contest and show the world that you have what it takes! Participants are required to submit applications explaining why they should be the rightful owner of the crown. People will be judged on the following five criteria: personality, community involvement, sex appeal, healthy lifestyle and yes, even talent! Finalists will be chosen by Tourism Montreal representatives to be interviewed and answer open-ended-questions.

More details: "At the end of Pride Week (August 15), the finalist with the most public votes, combined with most points from the judges, will win the ultimate title of “Queer of the Year,” a chance to take part in the Pride parade, $5,000 and a Montréal getaway! The four other finalists will also receive $1,000."

FULL DISCLOSURE: As some of you may recall, last year Tourisme Montreal hosted me for a whirlwind week of homo tourism. And it was amazing.