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KEY WEST: Troubled Homocon Suicides After Obama Re-Election

The gay owner of a Key West tanning salon who suffered mental illness and financial problems has taken his own life and blamed President Obama's re-election, reports the AP and Keys News.

A police detective found 64-year-old Henry Smith Hamilton Jr., owner of Duval Square Tropical Tan, dead at 11:55 a.m. Thursday in his La Brisa condominium on South Roosevelt Boulevard.

Officers found him on his back in the middle of his bed, his left arm flung across his face. Found on his bathroom sink was a copy of his living will on which was handwritten, "Do not revive! Fuck Obama!" according to police reports. Hamilton had been distressed about his business and "very upset" with the outcome of the Nov. 6 presidential election, his partner told police. "If Barack gets re-elected, I'm not going to be around," Hamilton had said, according to his partner of 11 years, Michael Cossey, who spoke to police.

A detective found three prescription bottles in the dining room: one empty bottle for 1 milligram Alprazolams, one empty bottle for 150 milligram Seroquels and another bottle for 50-milligram Seroquels that still had pills inside, reports say.

Seroquel is an antipsychotic medication for the treatment of schizophrenia. Alprazolam is prescribed to treat anxiety disorders

Hamilton was a "well-known" gay business owner on the island, reports JoeMyGod. "The Key West LGBT Chamber of Commerce confirmed to me by phone that Hamilton had been a member."

Many of the 1000+ comments on the article at CBS/Tampa Bay's website are Tea Party vitriol. But one comment asks the obvious question on the mental competence and business strategy behind opening a tanning salon on a tropical and gay-friendly island: "Also missing from the story? The man operated a tanning business in Key West, Florida. Also left out: I understand it was actually his second venture; his first, a business that sold ice cubes to Eskimos, also, strangely, went belly up."

It's tragic and unfortunate that Hamilton's financial problems, business failure and right-wing political conspiracy theories were at least partially fueled by his own mental disorders. "Unfortunately and somewhat ironically," notes one JMG commenter. "This may really be a story about someone not getting the quality health care they very much needed."

Key West: Go-Go Boy Hotness!

PHOTOS: Troy Petenbrink

A sampling of the stripper hotness in gay and fabulous Key West, Florida during last week's Pride Celebration. These images were lensed by travel writer Troy Petenbrink from the Island House's "Hot Naked Sunday" ...

And from the "Mr. Pride 2012" contest at the Bourbon St. Pub....

Super-ab and bubble-tastic Casper and Justin are among the resident hotties at Bourbon Street. But if you're looking for more beef on the menu ...

A few more AFTER THE JUMP ......

Key West Morning: Royal Poinciana

One of the most beautiful sights across fabulous Key West, Florida are the ubiquitous Royal Poinciana or "Flamboyant" trees. They are native to tropical regions and characterized by a flamboyant display of vivid red, vermilion, orange and/or yellow flowers.

Gorgeous. The downside: The trees are in bloom in June and July ... and many of the locals say it's a chore to remove the flowers.

Key West Morning: Poolside at the Lighthouse Court Hotel

Slept in this morning and had brunch by the pool at the Lighthouse Court Hotel. It's located in the historic Old Town of gay and fabulous Key West, Florida. It's a quiet, relaxing and romantic property featuring a gorgeous pool and tropical gardens. The hotel has attracted an upscale mixed crowd of gays, young couples and families over Key West's Pride weekend.

It's been perfect pool weather over the last weekend down here in Key West. High 80s and very humid. The pool patio is usually quiet during the day, except for the early morning during the free continental breakfast. There's also a bar and cafe to the right.

The Lighthouse Court Hotel is ridiculously convenient at the intersection of Truman Avenue/US1 and Whitehead Avenue. It's adjacent to the Key West Lighthouse, directly across the street from the Ernest Hemingway House and only one block from Duval Street. The Southernmost Point of the United States is only 4 blocks away. The gay bars on Duval Street are only two or three blocks away.

Depending on your tastes, you can opt for a room or cottage on the first level facing Whitehead ...

A room on the patio or garden in the rear, or, something similar on an upper level.

The management at the Lighthouse Court Hotel has been gracious enough to present me with a fantastic location: The corner unit on the ground level—the same location as the Key West adverts! The lighthouse is only a few steps from my side window. The Hemingway House is directly in front. It also features a porch and two comfy wicker chairs. Nice to people watch and enjoy a late night drink or convo.

It's a spacious room featuring a California King bed, free wifi and a refrigerator. There are dozens of free cable channels on the 26" flat screen television. Very comfortable and very relaxing.

Key West Morning: Sunset Pier at the Gulf of Mexico

The brilliant morning view from the Sunset Pier at the Gulf of Mexico in Key West, Florida.

PHOTO: The View from the Key West Lighthouse

The spectacular view from the top of the historic Key West Lighthouse. You're looking southwest from Key West, Florida toward the Atlantic Ocean at the southernmost point in the continental United States. Cuba is on the horizon and only 90 miles away.

The white fence in the background: My guest cottage and room at the adjacent Lighthouse Court Inn. I've returned to fabulous and gay Key West for a five-day press trip courtesy of the Key West Business Guild. KW celebrates their Pride over the weekend.

Here's another view of the island ...

More photos AFTER THE JUMP ...

PHOTO: Welcome to Key West

A view toward the Atlantic Ocean on the drive into fabulous and gay Key West, Florida. It's a sweltering a 85+ degrees with 85+ percent humidity. 

Arrived last night for a five-day press trip courtesy of the Key West Business Guild. Haven't had much time to explore or take photos but that will happen soon. Running off now to find  some sunscreen ... and Latvian hotness Olav!

Key West: African Cemetery

A visit to the Key West African Cemetery is a heartbreaking walk into a painful chapter in American history. In 1860, some 294 freed African slaves were buried in shallow graves at what is now Higgs Beach near the southernmost point of Key West. The Africans were among 1,432 freed by the United States Navy from three slave ships bound for nearby Cuba. Because of the horrific conditions aboard the slave ships, many of the Africans were very ill and died. The graves remained unmarked until 2001.

Key West was never a slave trading port but its proximity to Cuba (only about 90 miles) and strategic location on the Florida Straits meant that slave ships passed by. As the Civil War approached, a number of slave ships were forced into port and the slaves freed. And of course , over centuries quite a few ships were wrecked in these waters. Many of them, unfortunately, had human cargo.

Key West: The Beach

A few relaxing moments on the Atlantic Ocean side of Key West, not far from the southernmost point in the United States. There's not much wave action here so there is not a heavy sand build-up. But the water is fairly warm if you want to take a dip.

The beach is scenic but almost all of the guesthouses and hotels—such as mine at the Equator Resort—have swimming pools.

Morning in Key West: Poolside at Equator Resort

Slept in this morning. Doing a little work by the pool at the Equator Resort here in Key West's historic old town gay district. Like many things down here, the pool deck is "clothing optional". No pressure if you're shy. Oh and the water on the deck is from last night's thunderstorms.

The past few days have been quiet. The first two nights I had the pool and jacuzzi to myself but there are more guests checking in now for Fantasy Fest. There's always some good dance music playing in the courtyard, everything from Thelma Houston's "Don't Leave Me This Way" to Madonna's "Beautiful Stranger".

Depending on your tastes, you may opt for a room on the pool deck level, a more secluded cabana behind the pool or something on a higher floor. The amenities include a free continental breakfast buffet and an open bar/happy hour every afternoon on the pool deck. That's on the house, too. I don't drink, but the the mimosas and margaritas seem to be quite popular.

I'm on the second floor between the courtyard and the street. 

My home away from home. There is free wifi–standard for all the guests houses here–which I've used a few tims when my Sprint mobile broadband dropped. There are dozens of free cable channels on the 26" flat screen television––including HBO and four or five "educational channels". But of course the channel has been locked on ... Bravo! ... most of the time I've been in the room.