When people read of the advances in treatment for HIV/AIDS, they sometimes question why the Sussex County AIDS Council continues to need so much money for its operations. The simple answer is that our case loads are also continuing to rise. HIV/AIDS is no longer primarily a Rehoboth area gay disease. The predominant mode of exposure for adults is now injected drug usage. At the same time, our client base is shifting toward the western side of the county. To meet these needs, we also have to expand westwards. Currently, the number of people in Sussex County known to be living with HIV/AIDS is 524.

We are, therefore, as always, deeply grateful for the support of both LOVE and CAMP Rehoboth.

John Speicher
President of the Board SCAC

Last year, Families Connected was able to send over 100 low-income children back to school with school supplies, underclothes, personal hygiene items, food and backpacks. This year, more families than ever are struggling to make ends meet.

Please consider sponsoring a child or children. We have school supply lists available along with any specific need the child(ren) may have. Just give us a call 302-934-1930 and we will fax or mail you that info. Our goal is to distribute school supplies on August 27, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Giving takes time, effort and sacrifice, but the one who gives also receives the greatest gift of all...love.

Carolyn C. Showell,
Director, Families Connected

In 2003, the latest year for which the FBI released statistics, there were 9,100 reported hate crime victims in the US of which 52% were victimized due to race. Victims of religious and sexual orientation bias tied for second place at 16%. Of course hate crimes are notoriously under-reported, especially by gay people, many of whom are closeted and do not trust law enforcement.

The FBI defines hate crimes as those motivated by bias against race, religion, ethnicity, disability and sexual orientation—and investigates all of those categories except sexual orientation. There is no federal hate crime law covering sexual orientation which would give the feds jurisdiction to investigate. Keep statistics? Yes. Investigate? No.

The Local Law Enforcement Enhance-ment Act, a federal hate crime bill covering sexual orientation, languishes in our far-right Congress. Is this the compassionate conservatism we were promised? And the state hate crime laws that do exist are simply inadequate.

As one whose life has twice been threatened and who has been verbally gay-bashed more times than I could remember, I say there can be no reason why my life and welfare are not as worthy of safeguarding as is that of other minorities.

Douglas Marshall-Steele

Letters to Letters should be addressed to Editor, Letters from CAMP Rehoboth, 37 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971. Or e-mail editor@camprehoboth.com. Please include your name and daytime phone number for verification.