text: what is the meaning of a gold key as a modern  political symbol? it seems to be used by conservative christians. the gold key comes from the corporate world. when a person was promoted into a high ranking position, i.e. vice-president etc., they received a key to the executive restroom and dining room. the key, made of brass, looked gold and hence the term "the gold key".  in the political world, this simply refers to people who have access to people, places and things, that the unwashed masses don't. by the way, unwashed masses, is us.