Key West is usually a peaceful place. An oasis of calm, a beacon of diversity, a bastion of tolerance and acceptance. Our city is blessed to have an eclectic community where people don't care who you are, where you come from, or whether you love a man or a woman. So when an act of violence occurs -- as has recently happened -- the community is shocked and angry. But the community has catapulted into action.

Over the past several months, there has been a spate of violent crimes in Key West. In some cases, the victims have been straight, and in other cases the victims have been gay. In the most recent cases, anti-gay epithets have been hurled at the victims during the attacks.

In 1950s Selma, Ala., this was an unfortunate fact of life. Innocent victims were targeted simply because of their race. Black churches were burned and several children died in the now infamous church fires. Hatred has also been directed at Jewish people and Muslims. The KKK would paint swastikas on synagogues, burn crosses on lawns of African- Americans and Jews. As a society and in our laws, we label these "hate crimes."

The last few decades saw an advent of hate crimes targeting people because of their sexual orientation. It is no wonder that this happens; just listen to the anti-gay vitriol that is spread on right-wing radio and television.

The community had to stand up and say: "No, you can't call someone the 'n' word or the 'k' word and get away with it." It is now time for the community to stand up and say: "No, you can't call someone the 'f' word and get away with it. and you can't attack someone because of his or her sexual orientation."

The "f" word I am referring to is not a four-letter word -- it has three and sometimes six letters. Though I hate to write it, this horrible, disgusting word is "fag" or "faggot."

This word is too often tolerated in our culture. You hear major league players and coaches spewing it; homophobes put it on signs condemning us; kids in school say it and some teachers stand idly by without ever challenging them. Imagine if someone used the "n" word. Rightfully they would be stopped, yet oftentimes when the "f" word is used people laugh it off as socially acceptable locker room talk.

Well, in Key West, our One Human Family is saying enough is enough. In a recent meeting, over 200 people gathered at the Metropolitan Community Church to express their support for the LGBT community and for creating a safe city for all our residents and visitors. Mayor Craig Cates was there and spoke eloquently. Our chief of police, Donie Lee, who is openly gay, delivered a serious and firm message that violence will not be tolerated in this community toward gay, lesbian, transgendered or bisexual people -- for that matter, violence won't be tolerated against anyone.

We heard from openly gay police officer, the Rev. Steve Torrence, on ways that we can protect ourselves and prevent some of these crimes of opportunity. Present at the meeting were several city commissioners, county commissioners, community leaders and Monroe County State Attorney Dennis Ward. Ward stated that once the thugs are arrested in a recent attack, they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, and that the "hate crimes enhancement" would be charged if the evidence supports it.

So where do we go from here as a community? Like most things, the solution to the problem starts at home. One of the most disturbing facts in some of these recent crimes is that they allegedly have been perpetrated by local high school students. We as a community must work with the School Board, the new principal at Key West High School, in our elementary and middle schools, churches and synagogues and with parents to send a clear and firm message: Hate will not be tolerated, and thugs will be arrested, prosecuted and incarcerated.

During the meeting at MCC, it was gratifying to see so many members of the community, government leaders, clergy, straight and gay people, concerned neighbors, people of color and business leaders all present to show their care and commitment to equality. One group that was absent, however, was the School Board or representatives from the school district. Perhaps this was an unfortunate oversight, but we implore the school leadership to engage with the community immediately on this matter. Our kids are at risk, our community is at risk, and if we all work together for solutions, we can teach our children to love rather than hate; to become contributing members of society rather than criminals.

We are reminded of the old saying that "children learn what they live." We cannot just look to the school system or the police, but we must first and foremost look to the parents -- teach your children the values of love and diversity lest they become like one of the thugs who have recently plagued our otherwise peaceful and loving community.

Rudy Molinet is a real estate broker, co-owner of Marquis Properties Realty in Key West and a community and human rights activist. He resides in Old Town Key West with Harry Hoehn, his spouse of 17 years. Contact him at rudy@rudymolinet.com.