For a decade now, the organization has worked toward its mission statement of "promoting platforms for expressing diversity and creating a more visible and united GLBT community." Toward this end, per its vision statement, Delaware Pride "sponsors and promotes cultural, social, educational, and recreational events for the GLBT community and its allies." Delaware Pride is kicking into high gear for its tenth anniversary and some very exciting things are happening in the organization.

First, Delaware Pride has completely updated its web site, giving it a fresh, new look and adding lots of information for the community. The site can be viewed at delawarepride.org. You can find information about Delaware Pride events including Bingo-a-Go-Go and the annual Pride Festival, the organization’s history, contact and membership information, pictures from past events, and meeting times and locations. You can also find information about many other organizations serving the local GLBT community and links to GLBT-friendly businesses and services.

You can even join three different moderated listservs: DEGLC (Delaware Gay Lesbian Coordinator), to receive emails about local GLBT happenings; a DE GLBT State employees listserv; and RainbowGRLZ for information about local women’s events. Also, consider having a link to your business or organization on the Delaware Pride web site. Since the web site’s facelift, hits on the site have jumped more than tenfold! Visit the site yourself to find out what all the buzz is about.

Speaking of buzz, Delaware Pride is busy preparing for its annual Pride Festival. The 2006 festival will be held at Cape Henlopen State Park (North Shores), from noon-6:00 p.m., on Saturday, September 16. The festival committee has confirmed that the D.C. Cowboys, the sizzling hot country line dance group from our nation’s capitol who wowed the crowd at the 2004 festival, will return again this year. As always, the festival will feature top-notch musical and comedy entertainment, GLBT social and political organizations, political allies, and vendors of food, drink, and everything GLBT. Delaware Pride is currently looking for festival sponsors—businesses, organizations, or individuals, and particularly corporate sponsors.

The annual festival is by far the State’s largest annual GLBT event, attended not only by Delawareans but by many people from outside the state, including visitors from Philadelphia, Baltimore, D.C., and New York City, and other major metropolitan areas. Wouldn’t you like the message of your business or organization to reach the regional GLBT community? To find out how to become a Delaware Pride Festival sponsor, e-mail: contactus@delawarepride.org.

Festival vendor applications are also currently available through the web site.

In addition to the annual Pride Festival, Delaware Pride co-sponsors each Bingo-A-Go-Go event along with AIDS Delaware, The Rainbow Chorale, and the Metropolitan Community Church of Rehoboth Beach. Bingo-A-Go-Go has become hugely popular for its imaginative themes, costumed volunteers, enthusiastic crowds, and great prizes. Each game is attended by a mix of people from all walks of life and sexual orientations and identities. Bingo-A-Go-Go is also the largest fundraiser for Delaware Pride and its co-sponsors, so why not support some great GLBT causes while meeting new people and having a gay old time? Why not organize a group of friends for a different kind of night out? The next two bingo games will be held on Saturday, March 18, at the Millcreek Fire Hall in Wilmington, and on Saturday, May 27, at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center. For more information, to purchase tickets, to inquire about volunteering at bingo, or to have your business or organization sponsor a game, visit the Bingo-A-Go-Go page at www.delawarepride.org.

To get more people involved in the exciting work of the organization, Delaware Pride has formed a membership committee, and efforts so far have been very rewarding. Membership and meeting attendance have risen dramatically. For a nominal fee, you can become a member of the organization and receive a membership card and discounts on Delaware Pride-sponsored events and merchandise. A discounted membership fee is offered to couples, and all members receive a copy of "Pride Pages," the organization’s new quarterly newsletter.

Members can volunteer as much or as little time as they like, and can choose to serve on committees including the festival committee, the entertainment committee, the membership committee, the Bingo-A-Go-Go committee, and the financial committee. Helping hands are always useful at Bingo-A-Go-Go, the Pride Festival, and other events, and members can choose from several committees on which to serve. Aside from doing good for the GLBT community, becoming a Delaware Pride member is a wonderful way to meet new people and have new experiences. There is a place for everyone at Delaware Pride, whether you are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, questioning, or an ally. Join in the fun and make your voice heard. You can download a membership form from the Delaware Pride web site.