|
The Delaware Pride
Festival was held Saturday, October 12, at Gordon’s Pond in Cape
Henlopen State Park (North Shores). This year’s theme was Pride
Worldwide, alluding to the fact that the world is getting smaller, and
more and more GLBT persons around the globe are standing up for equal
rights. This year’s festival lasted from noon until 6:00 p.m. Vendors,
community organizations, and plenty of entertainment was on hand. Mother
Nature didn’t smile on the event with loads of sunshine, but she was
kind enough to hold back the rain except for a sprinkle here and there,
allowing an enjoyable day for those who attended.
Many Pride-goers commented on the great
amount and diversity of entertainment. For six hours, a veritable
“who’s who” of the region’s gay entertainers held the
audience’s rapt attention. Steve Cohen, a local cabaret favorite,
performed original songs and even took requests. Adding to the day’s
eclectic musical repertoire were 9bobnote, the Bootlickers, Lucy Furr,
and Debra Guy. Female impersonators were in no short supply at this
year’s festival. Five of the area’s top impersonators performed
throughout the day, including former Miss Gay Delaware Regional, Miss
Peaches; reigning Delaware Gay Entertainer of the Year, Jordan Taylor;
reigning Miss Northern Delaware, Anita Mann; reigning Miss Amateur
National, Miss Demeanor; and Les Harrison of Philadelphia fame. Also
performing was Erica Lucci, who was crowned Miss Delaware Pride
2002-2003.
Aside from the entertainment, attendees
were presented with over forty vendors and tempted with delicious food.
Many local organizations set up tables to educate the community about
GLBT issues. Delaware Renaissance, the state’s chapter of the national
Renaissance Transgender Association, passed out its newsletter and other
publications to make everyone aware of local support for transgender
people. The Delaware ACLU was present, too, making everyone aware of the
good work of the organization and informing people about the need to
pass HB 99 in the next Delaware Congress. Other organizations at the
festival included CAMP Rehoboth, AIDS Delaware, state LGBT youth groups,
and health and environmental organizations. Numerous politicians greeted
LGBT voters, voicing their support of our community and asking for votes
in the upcoming election. Kelli Steele, Press Assistant to Governor Ruth
Ann Minner, opened the festival, passing along supportive sentiments
from the Governor and apologizing that Governor Minner could not make a
personal appearance due to a prior engagement. Activities for children
(and some big kids!) included face-and pumpkin-painting.
Although this was the sixth year of the
Delaware Pride Festival, it marked the first year the celebration was
not held in Wilmington. “The move to Rehoboth was in response to
feedback from the gay community in Delaware,” explained Vicky Morelli,
Delaware Pride President.
“Many people indicated that they would
be more likely to attend an event in Rehoboth than in Rodney Square,
which is where the Pride festival has been held in past years.” Pride
board members are not sure whether future festivals will be held in
Rehoboth, but indicated that future events may alternate northern and
southern Delaware locations in order to make it more convenient for
everyone to attend. Vicky also talked about the Pride board’s
intention to make this year’s festival more “family-friendly,”
since “a growing number of gay families have children and we want them
to be comfortable attending our events and bringing their kids.” A
number of little ones were happy to be at this year’s event.
The board of Delaware Pride worked hard
this year to expand festivities beyond the daylong event. On Saturday,
October 5, a mini-arts festival was held at the Delaware College of Art
and Design in Wilmington, to kick off Pride week. New York artists Frank
LaRocca and Allison Orenstein (a University of Delaware alumnus)
featured their work on New York City Gay Pride Parades and the form of
the female body, respectively. In the evening, the Baby Grand in
Wilmington featured two film showings, a “lesbian combo” and a
“gay combo,” with several short features and one long feature
catering to gay men and lesbians. After the movies, a reception was held
at Excalibur for the artists, directors, and writers of the day’s
featured art.
Gene Edmund, board member of Delaware
Pride and a major organizer of this year’s Pride activities, was
elated with attendance at all Pride week functions. “Attendance was
phenomenal, far more than what we expected,” he commented.
“Regarding the festival, considering the weather, with five days of
straight rain before the festival, the turn-out was amazing. The support
from the Rehoboth community was great. We are looking forward to next
year.” Harry Rees, treasurer of Delaware Pride, echoed Gene’s
sentiments. “I was very impressed with the attendance, especially
considering the weather and the fact that we were at a new location,”
Harry observed. “The festival is so important. It makes people aware
of the organizations, services, and support we have in Delaware. Plus,
it’s a great chance to meet other GLBT Delawareans. It’s a real
community builder.”
Many gay Delawareans don’t realize it,
but Pride events are not limited to one festival per year. In fact,
Delaware Pride is busy supporting the community all year long. Members
meet monthly to plan regular Pride events as well as the annual
festival. Meetings are open to everyone in the community, including GLBT
people and allies. Also, Pride Pins is held every third Monday of the
month, at 7:00 p.m., at Price Lanes in Wilmington. It’s a great time
for socializing and improving your strikes and spares. Bingo-A-Go-Go,
complete with special celebrity hosts and runners, is held once per
month for most months of the year, in Rehoboth and in Wilmington, and
the prizes, donated by local companies and organizations, are better
than your average Bingo booty. Many of these events are fundraisers for
Delaware Pride, and several drag shows throughout the year benefit
Pride.
For more information on upcoming events,
to find out how to become involved with Delaware Pride, or to order the
popular Delaware Pride T-shirt, visit www.delawarepride.org.
|
