Every year at this time I find myself marveling over the fact that another
year in the life of CAMP Rehoboth has begun. This issue of Letters from
CAMP Rehoboth marks the beginning of the 17th season for both CAMP
Rehoboth and for this magazine. This new season comes with other
milestones as well, including the 20th Anniversary of the Sundance Benefit
on Labor Day weekend and the Groundbreaking Ceremony for Phase 2 of the
CAMP Rehoboth Community Center. Around town, the RB Film Society
celebrates its 10th anniversary, and the Jazz Festival turns 18. Every
year at this time, we also find it interesting to look around at the
changes the winter has wrought to the business landscape of our town. We
will especially miss the presence of Abizak’s and Quillen’s in the
downtown area, but fortunately for us, Abizak’s new location is only a
few miles away, and the Cultured Pearl is moving into the old Quillen’s
Building on Rehoboth Avenue—Critter Beach has also relocated to Rehoboth
Avenue. In the CAMP Courtyard, we welcome Jeff Stone (owner of Divine
Finds and Sea Finds), and his new venture Shirts and Shoes Required. Like
the dunes on the beach, our town shifts a little every year, but it’s
still Rehoboth and we all look forward to another great year.
Around the state, representatives from a number of organizations (ACLU
of Delaware-LGBT Task Force, AIDS Delaware, CAMP Rehoboth, Delaware Human
Relations Commission, Delaware LGBT State Employees, Delaware Liberty
Fund, Delaware Stonewall Democrats, Human Rights Campaign, and Just for
Youth) recently met with Governor Minner to discuss equal rights for all
in Delaware. Issues discussed included: domestic partner benefits for
state employees; hospital and nursing home visitation rights, insurance
and inheritance; transgender issues (including adding it to existing hate
crime legislation; and, of course, the continuing efforts to add sexual
orientation to the state’s non-discrimination clause. We will continue
to monitor and report on the progress of these matters in the year ahead.
Speaking of non-discrimination protection, State Senator Harris
McDowell pre-filed SB9 in January. When the bill is filed in the new
session in March, it is expected to be similar to the original HB99,
passed by the House in 2001 and 2003 but never allowed to come to a vote
in the Senate. In 2005, HB36 (the new HB99) again passed in the House but
again was never allowed to come to a vote in the Senate. This latest bill,
like its predecessors, should prohibit discrimination against persons on
the basis of sexual orientation in housing, employment, public works
contracting, public accommodations, and insurance.
I mentioned that the Rehoboth Beach Film Society is celebrating its
10th anniversary this year. Over the years, CAMP Rehoboth and the Film
Society have partnered on a number of occasions and we both support the
work of the other in whatever way we can. On the weekend of February
16-18, CAMP Rehoboth and the Film Society will continue our bi-annual
series Another Take, a mini film festival featuring gay and lesbian themed
films. Tickets for the films: What’s Up Scarlet? (Friday, 7 p.m.); Camp
Out (Saturday 2 p.m.); and Coffee Date (Sunday 2 p.m.); are $5 per
screening. Seating is limited and reservations can be made by calling
Rehoboth Beach Film Society at 302-645-9095. For more about Another Take
and the films being offered see page 14.
As I said earlier—later in the year we will be holding the official
Groundbreaking Ceremony for Phase 2 of the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center.
Construction is set to begin as soon as possible after the summer season
ends. Architect Bob Hotes and the Building Committee are on a tight
schedule all year long as we work to make this dream a reality. On page 6,
Murray looks at the coming year and all that it involves. From serving on
committees to sweeping the courtyard, we have a vast array of volunteer
activities and needs. Happy Valentine’s Day!
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