Sohn v. City of Key West

  • Latest Update: May 12, 2026
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This case challenges the City of Key West’s selective enforcement of regulations against residents who painted fence pickets in rainbow colors to protest the city’s removal of rainbow crosswalks. Installed in 2015 as a symbol of inclusion for Key West’s LGBTQ+ community, the rainbow crosswalks were among several removed in Florida in 2025 after the DeSantis administration threatened local governments with financial penalties if they did not remove them. Following the removal, Coley Sohn and Linda Bagley-Sohn painted some pickets on their fence in rainbow colors, inspiring many other Key West locals to join their protest. The city cited the rainbow fences for violating local ordinances, but has chosen not to cite other noncompliant households for similar fence-color violations.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

The freedom to protest in support of the LGBTQ+ community, free from selective enforcement targeting a particular message or view.

The Latest: We filed the case on May 7, 2026.