This year, AH Monroe brought something bold, bright, and unapologetically fabulous to the streets of Key West: Captain Love and the Love Crew.
Decked out in pirate regalia and full of sass, Captain Love sailed into the Pride Parade with one clear message:
“Protect yer booty, matey!”
Flying the banner “Sail Safe, Love Proud,” our pirate ship float marked the official launch of AH Monroe’s Captain Love campaign — a sex-positive, inclusive, and cheekily joyful initiative promoting HIV prevention and safer sex in the Florida Keys.
Alongside partners at Queer Keys, Metropolitan Community Church, and Midway Specialty Care, the Love Crew handed out hundreds of “booty bags” stocked with condoms, lube, HIV testing info, and campaign swag. Parade-goers laughed, danced, posed for selfies, and shared meaningful moments — showing that conversations about sexual health can be bold, joyful, and stigma-free.
Making Sexual Health Seen — and Celebrated
Let’s face it: talking about sex and safety is still taboo in far too many places. The Captain Love campaign was created to change that — with flair, humor, and a big splash of Key West spirit.
By mixing spectacle with substance, the Love Crew is making sexual health visible — and normalizing the idea that conversations about protection, testing, and wellness should be something to celebrate, not hide.
At Pride, we didn’t just hand out resources — we sparked real conversations. At AH Monroe’s street fair booth, folks approached with curiosity, humor, and open hearts. By the end of the weekend, our team left feeling recharged — grateful for every question asked, selfie taken, and stigma challenged. Sometimes all it took was a smile and a well-placed pirate pun.
Thank You to the Crew Behind the Crew
This campaign wouldn’t be possible without the incredible people and partners who made it happen:
- Community allies like Queer Keys, the Florida Department of Health, Metropolitan Community Church, and Midway Specialty Care
- Volunteers and staff who built the float, packed booty bags, and brought their full selves to the celebration
- And the local community, who reminded us that health and joy go hand in hand
⚓ Join the Love Crew
Visit captainlove.org to:
- 🏴☠️ Find free condoms, HIV testing sites, and request safer sex supplies
- 🏳️🌈 Learn about HIV testing, PrEP, and protection strategies
- 💌 Stay in the loop for future events, appearances, and giveaways
❤️ Protect your booty, matey!
Let’s keep the conversation going — loud, proud, and stigma-free.
