One of my provocateurs said the material from the American Decency Association in Shirley Mason’s email to me, all of which I included in yesterday’s “Surely Not In Key West” post, was about the most bigoted thing he had ever seen. He said those people are what Homeland Security ought to be doing something about.
This fellow is white and straight. He is no screaming liberal – anything but. He is a business man. He stays on top of the news and political events, in Key West, America and internationally. He is not wowed by President Obama and he didn’t care for George W. Bush.
A staunch Republican amigo said of yesterday’s post that I could have left off the Swastika and used a Puritan symbol instead. I replied that these people (American Decency Association) are Christian Nazis, American version. They intend to remake America in their image.
When I received an email invitation yesterday from Key West Business Guild, to attend next Wednesday’s monthly luncheon (I’m an individual member), I saw the topic was nude beaches. No speakers were named, so I called the Guild office and asked who was speaking, hoping it was someone who knew something about the topic. I was told Shirley Mason was listed as one of the speakers and breathed a big sigh of relief.
The Mother of Haulover Beach, a veteran of many battles with the American Decency Association and other religious-right groups, as is her husband, Richard, whose life has been threatened by church people, Shirley ought to be able to explain Naturist beach practices and the dazzling nude beach economics at the Business Guild luncheon. I imagine Shirley also will put the fear of God into everyone there, who has not yet considered just what a real threat the American Decency Association and their kin in Key West pose not only to a nude beach but to the entire gay community, One Human Family, FantasyFest and, yes, Duval Street. They intend to remake Key West in their image.
Non-Guild members can attend a first-time luncheon for the same $25 fee members pay. Any non-members interested in attending and getting to know Shirley Mason, Mother of Halover Beach and of African-descent, call the Guild office and make a reservation: (305) 294-4603. Shirley told me on the phone yesterday that she won’t be in the buff at the luncheon, unless it’s moved to a beach.
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