To Steve Elkins and Murray Archibald at CAMP Rehoboth,
The purpose of this letter is to relay our outrage over your decision to censor our advertisement. The advertisement was intended to be a funny quip on what many of our customers insinuate when shopping for a new outfit for the beach and nightlife here in Rehoboth. Single people, both straight and gay alike come to this town and other vacation places like Rehoboth to have a good time. We are sorry to inform you, that includes getting laid. Its too bad that your pristine staff is of the opinion that sex never enters into the minds of your readers when vacationing in Rehoboth. We suppose youre of the opinion that most people frequent the nightlife in Rehoboth, down a few drinks and go home and sing Kumbaya by the campfire.
The thing that ticks us off the most is your hypocrisy. Why is it all right to print a naked man floating on a raft at a B&B that allows nudity less offensive than the idea that if some one buys a really hot outfit at our store they are likely to meet someone for a fun time? We sincerely doubt that the men who go to the Rams Head Inn play pinochle after their nights out. Or better yet, how about your quips over how endowed the latest jock was at a house party.
What seems more likely is that you and your staff are operating on your own agendas, both political and personal, and find our ad maybe too over the top for your traditional family values. In a world where sex sells everything from Calvin Klein to Gatorade, maybe its time for your Rehoboth to wake up and smell the nineties. Unless, you dont want anyone to come here anymore for a good time. Have you noticed the crowds getting much smaller than they were in the Strand days? According to the First Amendment of the United States, you have violated our right to print an ad that is neither profane nor vulgar. If its offensive to some, too bad. Everyone's line of tolerance to offensiveness is different. There is a different line of tolerance between men and women, young and old, and definitely, straight and gay. Maybe, you ought to change your name to the Beachcomber 2. Its obvious to us from your action that you want to be everything to everyone. The only problem we have, as gay business owners who cater to gay men and lesbians, is that we want to advertise in a vehicle that promotes our lifestyle, not the pristine Southern Baptist ideology you have chosen to embrace.
Didnt you guys start out being a newsletter for gay people too?
Best of Luck! Effxx Menswear (Jeff and Gene)
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7/25/97 Issue. Copyright 1997 by CAMP Rehoboth, Inc. All rights reserved.