A lesbian couple in Key West is suing the city after receiving fines for painting rainbow colors on their fence in protest of the removal of Pride crosswalks. The federal lawsuit, backed by the American Civil Liberties Union, argues that city officials selectively enforced local code rules against LGBTQ-related expression, violating First Amendment protections.
Coley Sohn and Linda Bagley-Sohn repainted 12 fence pickets at their Old Town home in rainbow colors after the Key West City Commission voted to remove decorated crosswalks following pressure from Florida officials. The move came after transportation officials across the state pushed to eliminate rainbow street art, claiming public safety concerns. According to the lawsuit, more than 50 homeowners across Key West later painted rainbow fences in solidarity.
But city officials cited the Bagley-Sohn family after receiving a complaint from a neighbor who is allegedly known for anti-LGBTQ views. The couple faced fines of up to $250 per day unless the fence was repainted white. They eventually removed the rainbow colors in March to avoid further penalties. The lawsuit also notes that many homes in Key West have doors and shutters painted in colors that don’t comply with city codes.
Pictures in the federal complaint show examples around the city that never attracted code enforcement’s attention. That suggests it’s the use of the colors in a familiar pattern associated with the rainbow flag and the queer rights movement that triggered enforcement.
