By John Hayden
South Florida’s LGBTQIA+ community has lost one of its most prominent defenders. Attorney, politician, and activist Ken Keechl has recently passed away. For more than thirty years he has stood up for LGBTQIA+ rights.
Keechl was at the forefront of family law long before marriage equality became a reality. He is responsible for case law on everything from property rights, adoption, estates and even “divorce equality.”
After graduating from Florida State University with a law degree in 1987, he delved into law and politics. Keechl was elected to the Broward County Commission in 2006 and served as county mayor from 2009-2010. Keechl lost a bid to return to the county commission in November, 2022.
In an interview with OutClique in March of last year, Keechl told me his political success was a little unexpected. “No one thought I had a chance of winning except my partner, Ted, and me. Surprising everyone, I won.”
Photo Courtesy of SRL Media
It was his dedication to stopping the anti-LGBTQIA+ attacks in Tallahassee that motivated his comeback bid. “He loved people and the community and tried to do so much. I don’t believe the government ever came out of his blood,” his good friend, Rev. Joel Slotnick told OutClique.
Keechl was also a mentor to today’s elected officials. They could call him up or stop by his office inside a small house in Wilton Manors and get advice. Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis, who is the city’s first openly gay mayor, says he will be missed. “He stood as a mentor and role model for many who aspired to be members of a community that believes in self-sacrifice and honesty. There are large shoes to fill, and it’s a great loss for everybody.”
Wilton Manors Mayor Scott Newton echoed those thoughts. “Ken did a great job for the City of Wilton Manors Community and was an impressive Mayor of Broward County. He will be missed.”
Local activist Jake Valentine says his presence in Wilton Manors will be missed. “He was a good activist for Wilton Manors. He was a good, honest man who did his best for our city.”
Wilton city commissioner Chris Caputo had worked with Keechl on many projects involving the city, and told OutClique, “I am profoundly saddened by the loss of Ken Keechl. He was a remarkable human being, a public servant, and a friend to so many of us. Through his loss brings great sorrow, it’s comforting to know that is now in the company of his late husband, Ted.”
His influence was felt by the community beyond politics. SunServe CEO Tony Lima told OutClique, “We at SunServe are deeply saddened by the news of Ken Keechl’s passing. Ken was not only an esteemed public servant and attorney but also a former board member of our organization. During his time with SunServe, he made significant contributions to our mission of serving marginalized communities. His impact on our organization, and the community at large, is immeasurable and will not be forgotten. I also had a personal connection to Ken and had the fortune of working with and learning from him in the political sphere for many years. He was a wonderful human being and a strong advocate for the LGBTQ community. He will be missed.”
Ken lost his husband, Ted, last December. While his cause of death hasn’t been officially announced, many friends said he was fighting a long-term illness, and had a procedure just days before passing. Ken Keechl was sixty years old.
