In Brief

On May 19, the Rehoboth Beach City Commissioners voted unanimously to support a policy statement that would prohibit discrimination against persons on the basis of sexual orientation within the authority of the city.

Commissioner Mark Aguirre began the discussion by placing on the agenda a request that the commissioners consider sending a message to the state in support of HB 99. HB 99 is the state legislature’s anti-discrimination bill that would prohibit sexual orientation discrimination. Last year HB 99 passed in the state senate, but never made it out of committee in the House.

Commissioner Richard Sargent then read a prepared statement that, though it does not specifically mention HB 99, clearly supports a prohibition against sexual orientation. Sargent’s statement was unanimously accepted by the commissioners, and says:

"Whereas the Delaware Legislature is considering legislation to add sexual orientation to the current anti-discrimination law, and:

"Whereas, the City of Rehoboth Beach Commissioners would like to go on record against discrimination based on sexual orientation and believe that our actions speak as loudly as our words;

"Therefore, the Commissioners of Rehoboth Beach resolve that it will be the policy of the city that for actions within our authority, the City of Rehoboth Beach will prohibit discrimination against persons on the basis of sexual orientation in housing, employment, public works contraction and public accommodations."

During the meeting there was discussion concerning whether the city should ask for certain actions by the state. Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf said he had received letters from other cities asking him to support or not support other bills. Rev. Jack Abel, pastor of the Epworth United Methodist Church on Baltimore Ave. talked about how Rehoboth had to lead the way because of who it represents, just as Epworth, in previous years, had chosen to open its doors to all regardless of sexual orientation.

In commenting on the evening, Aguirre said, "The lesbian and gay community should be very pleased with how the sexual orientation anti-discrimination policy statement was passed. A number of commissioners were concerned with the precedent setting move to express an opinion on legislation being considered by the General Assembly. A unanimous vote on a policy statement that was more sweeping in nature sends a different, but very clear message supporting sexual orientation anti-discrimination efforts."

He also offers a challenge to the community. "We must not grow complacent now," he says. HB 99 is under consideration on the June agenda of the Dewey Beach-Rehoboth Beach Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber clearly expresses opinions concerning local and statewide legislation. We must do all we can to encourage this influential organization to support our efforts to pass HB 99."

CAMP Rehoboth’s Beach Book 2003 Comes Out June 21

Beach Book 2003, a directory of Rehoboth Beach area summer residents and their frequent guests, is now being assembled. To be included in this year’s book, names must be received by Sunday, June 1.

Published by CAMP Rehoboth and edited by Tom Minnuto, the Beach Book is organized into two parts. The first section lists houses by street with the names of persons at that address and the phone number. The second section lists each person alphabetically with address and phone number.

In its eleventh year of publication, the Beach Book is an important part of Rehoboth’s gay summer scene, making it easy to keep track of old and new friends. The Beach Book will be ready for distribution by Saturday, June 21.

To be included in Beach Book 2003, fill out the form on page 86 and mail it to CAMP Rehoboth, 39 Baltimore Avenue, Rehoboth, DE 19971, fax it to 302-227-5604, email beachbook@camprehoboth.com or fill it out online at www.camprehoboth.com.

Rehoboth Library Needs Volunteers

Have some extra time on your hands? The Rehoboth Beach Public Library is in need of people who would be willing to volunteer for just an hour or two at a time (though more would be great, too.)

In the summer, internet use at the library skyrockets. Starting in mid-June, volunteers are needed for the sole purpose of signing patrons up to access the internet. It is a full time job in itself, and the library employees just can’t keep up.

To get more information on how you can help out, please stop in at the Library, 226 Rehoboth Ave (across from the Fire Hall), or call 302-227-8044.

A Special Thanks

A Special Thanks goes out to Lana Warfield from all of us at CAMP Rehoboth for her generosity in purchasing two sets of Adirondack chairs and tables from Shore Haus which now brighten up the CAMP courtyard. 

(Pictured Lori Kline (left) and Lana Warfield trying out the new chairs.)