Rob Dougherty is the chief director of the Key West Enterprise Guild, the nation’s first LGBTQ+ vacation spot advertising group. (Picture courtesy of Rob Dougherty) +
As govt director of the Key West Enterprise Guild, Rob Dougherty oversees the every day operations of the island metropolis’s LGBTQ+ customer choices to the world. However it’s his practically 33 years as a former particular person and group therapist that’s helped him expertly navigate the ever-changing wants of the group he serves.
“My human companies background helps me hearken to the wants of our membership and to be adaptive,” mentioned Dougherty. “We additionally embrace our county and metropolis motto of ‘One Human Household’ as a result of it issues.”
What additionally issues to Dougherty is making certain a brilliant future for the LGBTQ+ group. Below his steering, the Guild is working to launch a brand new three- to five-year strategic plan to additional implement and quantify the group’s mission in a wildly various and evolving LGBTQ+ group.
“We’d like to have the ability to create targets to maneuver ahead, construct targets to assist attain these targets and create measurable outcomes,” he mentioned.
Shaped in 1978, the Key West Enterprise Guild — the nation’s first LGBTQ+ vacation spot advertising group — is a nonprofit devoted to encouraging tourism and supporting Key West’s homosexual group. Every year, about 250,000 LGBTQ+ vacationers go to Key West.
The Key West Enterprise Guild (or Guild for brief) additionally operates the Homosexual Key West Customer Middle. Situated at 808 Duval Road, within the coronary heart of the enterprise district dubbed the ‘Pink Triangle,’ guests get an introduction to Key West, and are available to know why it’s well known as one of many nation’s most gay-friendly locations.
Rob Dougherty and his Husband, Harvey, benefit from the reside music scene round Key West. Right here they’re at Willie T’s ready for musician John LaMare to start his set. (Picture courtesy of Rob Dougherty)
The Guild, with practically 400 members, produces a number of annual signature occasions together with Key West Pleasure, which runs Sunday, June 22 to Sunday, June 29; Tropical Warmth, Wednesday, August 13, to Sunday, August 17; Key West Womenfest, scheduled Wednesday, September 3 to Sunday, September. 7; and Fantasy Fest’s Headdress Ball extravaganza on Tuesday, October 23.
Key West Pleasure week festivities embody eight full days of actions, together with a brand new stand-up present by nationally recognized comic Quin Lamar at Key West Theater, the favored homosexual Key West historical past trolley tour and a pool splash celebration at La Concha Key West. Every day actions present alternatives to go to Guild members’ museums and sights and take part in spirited gay-friendly excursions on the island and within the water.
Throughout his prolonged profession in human companies in Pennsylvania, Doughtery labored as a hospital-based therapist. Whereas there, he directed a drop-in middle for these with homeless and persistent psychological well being challenges. He additionally volunteered with AIDS Providers Middle and AIDSNet, and took part in group actions, homosexual rights and marches.
Dougherty is certainly one of 5 siblings who grew up in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and spent summers in Brooklyn, New York. His father was a MACK Truck employee and United Auto Employees member, and his mom labored as an workplace supervisor for a big insurance coverage firm.
Dougherty additionally co-owned a e-book store in Clinton, New Jersey, along with his husband of 23 years, Harvey, who right this moment is a well-liked Historic Excursions of America trolley driver in Key West.
Rob Dougherty (Left), his sister Leigh, and husband Harvy (proper) having fun with one of many many completely happy hours across the island. (Picture courtesy of Rob Dougherty)
Dougherty first got here to Key West within the early Nineties to trip and like many full-time residents, “fell in love” with it. It was, for me, ‘sometime, sometime, sometime.’” So, within the fall of 2022, he made it official and moved to the island metropolis.
His motto: “Go away no regrets. Authenticity issues.”
The place he dines: Largely at residence. “My husband, Harvey, is an AMAZING cook dinner and baker. Once we eat out, it’s at domestically owned and operated institutions, like Alonzo’s Oyster Bar, Bel Mare and Massive Cheezees Pub and Grub in Key West.”
The place he discovers: Reside music venues: the Inexperienced Parrot Bar and Willie T’s; native artwork galleries.
How he relaxes: “Meditating, spending time with Harvey, my two cats, and pals. Listening to music, studying all the things from cozy mysteries to literary fiction. Buying.”