CAMP Profile

It’s All about Politics

Peter Schott has been part of my political awareness for so long that I can’t recall when exactly we first met. While my own involvement with our community has its origins in helping organize gay pride days, leading sports organizations, and fundraising, Peter has always focused on grass roots political activism. As I began to get more politically involved our paths began to cross more and more often. I’m proud to not only call Peter a friend, but also am pleased to give others the chance to get to know Peter a little better as he continues his political involvement in Delaware.

What has been your involvement in politics?

For twenty-five years I was a congressional aide for the U.S. House of Representatives. I’ve been chairman of my ward democratic committee in D.C. and was on the state democratic committee for twelve years. I was an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner in D.C. I was delegate to two National Democratic Conventions. I was a founder of National Stonewall Democrats and served on its first board. I’ve been involved in Sussex County Democrats and sit on its Executive Committee.

You and others helped create the local chapter of the Delaware Stonewall Democrats. What has been that organization’s most important success so far?

Our major success was last year’s Barney Frank fundraiser, which not only raised funds to make us functional, but also raised our visibility in the state. So, now we are involved in every aspect of the Democratic Party, we run local campaigns and fund local campaigns. This helped us elect our first openly lesbian delegate to this year’s National Democratic Convention.

Is being Vice President for Political Affairs for the Delaware Stonewall Democrats keeping you busy?

Yes, it is. As an example, this past week I went to Newark, Dover, and Wilmington to meet to discuss HB 99 and Stonewall involvement in the state Democratic Party. I also met with Barney Frank to discuss with him our plans for our August 7th Stonewall Democrat Summer fundraiser, which we anticipate will be bigger than last year’s event.

What do you enjoy most about being involved in politics?

I enjoy meeting people that are energized to make positive changes nationally, statewide, and locally. I have always felt that rather than just talk about change you have to be out there and make things happen.

Senate Minority Leader John Still III, R-Dover, introduced Senate Bill 246 that would amend the state constitution to prohibit recognition of same sex marriages or similar legal relationships. What do you think?

I think it is a very vicious piece of legislation and goes contrary to what I perceive as the "live and let live" attitude, which most Delawareans live by.

How do you think such a bill would affect efforts to pass HB 99, which would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation?

I think it could actually help, because of its viciousness and because HB 99 can then be considered a much more moderate position than Senator Still’s legislation.

How long have you been visiting Rehoboth Beach and why did you decide to retire here?

I’ve been visiting since the early eighties and bought a home in the area for the first time in 1987. In 2001 I retired to Rehoboth Beach. I wanted to reside in an area with a substantial lesbian and gay population where I could live a less hectic lifestyle. But, I liked the idea of being close to several metropolitan areas including Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and even New York.

What historical figure, dead or alive, would you choose to have dinner with and why?

Billy Bean, the baseball player, because I would like to discuss with him what actions we can take to have a professional athlete come out while he is still playing for a major league team. I believe that this could play the most significant role in changing perceptions about the GLBT community.

Do you have a Rehoboth Beach "little known" pleasure?

I very much enjoy the lakes around Rehoboth, Lake Gerar, Lake Comegys, and Silver Lake. I find the settings very romantic and calming.

Who would be your dream celebrity date, why, and what would you do?

That would be Michael Feinstein, because of my love of theater. I would meet him for drinks at the Blue Moon, and then dinner at Victoria’s where we can see and hear the ocean and then a walk around Lake Gerar. Then we’d sit on a bench and just talk.