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Every November I find myself shaking my head and wondering how the year
could possibly have passed so swiftly. Looking back on this one, I also
find myself wondering how we did it all—the Women’s Conference, The
Founders’ Circle, CAMPsafe, the Community Center, Sundance, Follies,
Letters, and all the other projects and programs of CAMP Rehoboth have
made it a year to remember. This issue’s CAMP Matters column on page 6
includes a list of all the year’s activities in which we were involved.
My thanks to the volunteers, supporters, and donors who have made it all
possible.
About a week after our last issue of Letters was published, I got a
call from an irate mother who felt that its cover was offensive because it
used children’s toys to show affection between two men and two women.
The mother was outraged by the gay positive image, but evidently her five
year old loved it. The conversation got me thinking about the words
"Create a More Positive," which forms the acronym at the heart
of CAMP Rehoboth. In the early days of CAMP Rehoboth I frequently thought
and wrote about those words. These days I often take them for granted
because relations between the gay and the straight community here have
improved so much. The call took me by surprise, I guess, because it was
about such an innocent, playful image, but it has also reminded me of the
importance of continuing to create positive images for gay people. The
funny thing is, of course, that the five year old didn’t care one way or
another—at least not until his mother got hold of him. Remember the song
from South Pacific, "You have to be taught to hate and fear...you
have to be carefully taught." We have to keep teaching as well.
One of the best ways our community comes together to create positive
images is the Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival which took place
this year during the week of November 5-9. CAMP Rehoboth is a big
supporter of the Festival because it provides an amazing number of gay and
gay related films, and because it brings the whole community—gay,
straight, men, women, young, and old—together. It challenges us to
explore a whole range of new ideas, visions, and experiences. CAMP
Rehoboth is a big supporter because it lives up to our mission of
supporting the arts and creating a more positive place. Murray and I are
big supporters because we love films. This year’s festival was a huge
success, and I speak from personal experience, as we saw 18 films. Our
thanks, appreciation, and congratulations to the staff, members,
volunteers, and sponsors who made it such an extraordinary event.
For many years now, December 1 has been World AIDS Day—a time set
aside to focus worldwide attention on the devastation brought on by the
AIDS epidemic. One of the most powerful statements I’ve seen this year
is that, "worldwide, five people die of AIDS every minute." Our
local World AIDS Day observance includes a Candlelight Walk and a Service
of Remembrance and Hope. This year will also include The Ribbon Project,
which involves running a red ribbon all the way along the walk route, and
will require the efforts of 25 teams of three to produce. Anyone wishing
to put together a team should contact the CAMP office. For more on World
AIDS Day see page 28.
This is the last issue of the 13th season of Letters from CAMP
Rehoboth, and we’ll take a short break in publishing until the first
of February. CAMP Rehoboth, however, will continue to be open all winter
long. Join us on December 7, 4-7 p.m. at the Rehoboth Beach Convention
Center for the Community Unity Dinner. Also at the Convention Center, the
second annual Starburst Gayla women’s New Year’s Eve party benefitting
CAMP Rehoboth and WomenHeart. Tickets are $45 in advance at CAMP Rehoboth.
Happy Holidays!
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