Ken Keechl Honored As Pioneer Gay Leader

 

BY BUDDY NEVINS

 

 

Ken Keechl, who is running to return to the Broward County Commission, was just named one of South Florida Gay News’ Out Fifty List of influential LGBT movers and shakers.

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Ken Keechl

 

How much it will help?  I have no idea.

But it can’t hurt.

LGBT-heavy Wilton Manors is not in District 4, where Keechl is running.  Still, LGBT-packed Oakland Park is in the north Broward district.

Keechl was cited as Broward’s first gay mayor, an honor he held during his first term on the commission in 2009. SFGN’s article is here.

Other office holders honored are Commissioner Dean Trantalis of Fort Lauderdale, another long-time leader in the gay community.

And County Judge Robert Lee, who was Florida’s first openly gay judge appointed by Gov. Lawton Chiles in 1997. Somehow I can’t imagine Gov. Rick Scott appointing an openly gay judge.

Lee was “out” before the much, more tolerant era we live in today.  He has proved to be a judge admired by everybody I know in the courthouse



9 Responses to “Ken Keechl Honored As Pioneer Gay Leader”

  1. John Henry says:

    A one term pioneer.

  2. Life is a Cabernet says:

    Saw Judy Stern whooping it up and clapping for Chip LaMarca’s speech last night a the Cuban American Group. Poor Ben Lap he is the only one that doesn’t know he is a shill because Judy/Chip know if they don’t hurt Keechl now, with Crist and Medical MJ on the ballot he will beat LaMarca in a general election. Looks like Ben Lap is Judy’s Louie Granteed of 2014.

  3. Watching the Race says:

    Keechl used his campaign account like his own piggy bank paying himself about 1000 more per month rent for his “campaign” headquarters. He lost to Chip. Who is as big a scumbag as Keechl is.

    I’ll vote the other guy.

  4. Stollen says:

    I heard that Chip uses organizations that go before the county commission for funding (aka $12mil to Museum of Discovery and Science) and has their board members comp he and his wife $1200 tickets. Is that true? Does the inspector general have jurisdiction over this behavior?

  5. He is back says:

    Compared to Chip, having Keechl back will be a breathe of fresh air. I only hope he has more fun the second time around.

  6. City Activist robert Walsh says:

    Dean Trantalis yes all day long deserved this award -all day long(Dean I saw your ex tonite -he’s loosin his hair-). What has Ken Keechl done for the gay community. Award for what. Harvey Milk your not Ken…

  7. Just saying..... says:

    Ron Gunzburger should have made the list. Congratulations to Ken and Dean.

  8. Ciar to have my vote says:

    What about ME?

  9. Abolish the BOCC says:

    Kenny is on a list alright. He is a fool. Why can’t we get good candidates?