Though I’m always surprised that time has passed so swiftly, this is,
indeed, the Memorial Day issue of Letters from CAMP Rehoboth and the
beginning of the 2007 summer season. Thinking about Memorial Day reminds
me of the first summer that Murray and I spent in Rehoboth Beach—27
years ago. Our friend Joe McMahon had invited us share a little house on
Norfolk Street for the summer, and like so many others who now call
Rehoboth home, we fell in love with the beach, the town, and most of all
with the wonderful friends we made. Ten years later when we moved here
full time and started CAMP Rehoboth, it was because of those friendships.
Every summer, the arrival of Memorial Day weekend makes me both nostalgic
for the many summers’ past, and excited for the one just ahead. It is
the time when we reconnect with old friends and make new ones. It is an
expectant time—and I expect it to be another great summer.
Since 1992 the Rehoboth Beach summer season has, for me, begun with a
diversity training session with the Rehoboth Beach Police Department. Over
the years, the nature of the training session and the attitude of the
young members of the summer police force has changed somewhat, and though
I do believe that many young people are growing up with a more accepting
attitude about GLBT issues, there is still much work to be done. Over the
last year we’ve had a rise in the number of complaints about verbal
harassment, and we spent some time at the training session talking about
that. Don Imus’ recent comments provided fertile ground for a discussion
about the way words can be used to hurt and threaten others.
Verbal harassment is only one of the ways that discrimination is
expressed in our culture and many of the others, though far more subtle,
are even more damaging. Though we are all hopeful that the Delaware
non-discrimination bill will finally have a chance to pass, and though at
this point discrimination against gay people is not against the law in our
state, reporting incidences of discrimination in housing and employment is
very, very important. On behalf of the Delaware Human Relations
Commission, of which I am a member, we need every incident to be recorded.
To report discrimination of any kind, contact me at CAMP Rehoboth or call
the Human Relations Commission at (877)-54-HUMAN (544-8626).
The new summer season arrives, of course, with a lot more than just
sand and shorts and suntan oil—it’s also party time. For us that means
events, and we’ve got plenty. The first major event is The Black and
White Beach Ball at the Atlantic Sands Ballroom on June 2. Created to
celebrate the Founders’ Circle of the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center,
this popular event sells out early. Tickets are $100 and limited so call
the CAMP Rehoboth office for reservations. The B&W Beach Ball features
the 2007 HeART of the Community Art Auction—which, by the way, can be
previewed at the HeARTist’s Preview Party at the CAMP Rehoboth Community
Center on May 26. For more about the HeART of the Community Art Project,
see page 6.
Gor many years now the Love Weekend benefit has been a July 4th
tradition. Because the holiday falls on a Wednesday this year, we’re
combining the Love Main Event and the Love Retro Ball into one big Love
Remixed: One Night Only party reminiscent of the early days of the event.
DJ David Knapp is excited about creating a special night that marries a
current sound with familiar tunes. Other exciting Love Weekend events
include the Love Welcome Party at CAMP Rehoboth, the Love Sponsor Party at
Bruce Miller and Dean LaVigne’s beautiful ocean front home at Prospect
Street and the Boardwalk, and the addition of a Sponsor’s Lounge at the
dance. For more about sponsor levels and ticket information for Love
Weekend see page 59 or call the CAMP Rehoboth office.
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