Speak Out

On behalf of Rehoboth Beach Main Street, I would like to thank you and CAMP Rehoboth for all of your help getting the desserts for the annual Community Unity Dinner. Your team of elves serving dessert made the whole event more festive!

Thank you for all of your help and your continued support of the Main Street program. Many exciting things are happening with the program and downtown Rehoboth Beach. It is the continued support of local homeowners and businesses which make it all possible.

Again, thank you for your dessert donations and all you do to support us. You and your helpers were outstanding!

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Sussex County AIDS Committee, and the many we serve, I wish to thank you for the very generous gift of $99,000 from Sundance 2001. I only wish this letter could somehow convey applause, hugs, and the huge smile I wore during this year’s amazing weekend of Sundance!

As you know, SCAC is able to provide the scope of services and outreach upon which so many depend only through the generous and faithful financial support of Sundance. To all the many volunteers, sponsors, and participants of this event, we say “Thank you so much”.

The number of people living with HIV and AIDS in Sussex County continues to grow, as does our levels of service. Through the support of Sundance, we are able to provide people living with HIV/AIDS in Sussex County with transportation to their medical appointments. Through the support of Sundance, we are able to provide more than 100 people living with HIV/AIDS in Sussex County with nutritionally balanced food packages each month. Through the support of Sundance, we are able to provide people infected and affected with HIV/AIDS in Sussex County with educational resources, support groups and social outings, and counseling and testing.

And, through the support of Sundance, we are able to provide people living with HIV/AIDS in Sussex County with financial assistance to help pay for housing, utilities, and medical supplies in emergency situations. Through your support, and that of our many generous friends, we are able to triple the amount of emergency financial assistance funding provided through our annual contract grant.

Again, thank you for this gift and the continued support of CAMP Rehoboth.

Steve Twilley  
SCAC Executive Director

On January 28 we attended the public hearing on HB 99, the bill which would  ban discrimination based on sexual orientation in Delaware. That hearing was  an eye-opener even to us who have long been brutalized by the hatred and lies of homophobic religious extremists. It is quite apparent now from the frenzied rhetoric of these religionists that their main mission is not to share the redemptive love of God but to vilify and denigrate gay people however they can.

While every speaker supporting HB 99 was articulate, factually accurate and respectful of their opposition, the HB 99 opponents shamelessly demonized gay people in the most lurid and filthy-minded ways possible, telling us this was the message of the Bible.

Meanwhile in the hallway, a man sporting an “I love Jesus” T-shirt removed the “Vote Yes HB 99” signs which we were given permission by the Capitol Police to exhibit. When confronted, he lied and said that the Capitol Police wanted them removed: the officers when asked, denied this. The man then called Corey a “fag” and was immediately ejected by the Capitol Police from Legislative Hall.

Don’t bother giving us Bible lessons: your actions speak volumes.

In a recent letter to the press, Senator Robert Venables, Chair of the Delaware Senate Small Business Committee, overseeing HB99, the Anti-Discrimination Bill, challenges the opinion he sought from the Delaware Attorney General. She carefully scrutinized this legislation and declared it clear of any potential obstacles, constitutionally, thereby one would expect movement from his committee into a full hearing by the entire Senate.

These delay tactics hold HB99 hostage. Thomas Jefferson said “the God who gave us life, gave us Liberty.”

It is more than apparent that Senator Venables had decided what is best for the people of Delaware and he chooses not to allow this ‘unifying’ Legislation    out of Committee for debate by all the peoples’ representatives.

Senator Venables tactical objective to kill HB99 in this session would clearly dishonor the wishes of a large segment of Delawareans from all walks of life, as well as the historic majority vote in favor of passage by the Delaware House.

Should HB99 not see the light of day, we will have but one man to thank in Delaware—his actions speak louder than words and beckon a resounding call for more fairness in the first State.

The Wilmington News Journal recently reported that the Tennessee based Cracker Barrel Restaurant is opening on Route One in the Rehoboth-Lewes area.

This is the chain that makes heterosexuality a condition of employment. Gays and lesbians are subject to instant dismissal no matter how well they have performed their tasks. Cracker Barrel has used the lack of existing state and federal laws to dismiss employees without fear of consequences to the chain.

I believe Cracker Barrel is a closely held corporation. There are few, if any, stockholders in a position to institute a change of this corporate policy. This interstate enterprise will continue to discriminate until laws forbid it.