LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
The Way I See It |
by Steve Elkins, Editor |
Even without a calendar I'd be able to tell that it was July because everything has suddenly gotten so busy. The last weekend of June set the pacethe D.C. Gay Men's Chorus concert at the Convention Center, the Democratic National Committee fundraiser at Jim D'Orta's Rehoboth home, Bearapalooza 2000 and the Mr. Delaware Bear and Cub contest, the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center Project Tea Dance at Yum Yum, the Renegade's Hawaiian Heat party, as well as all the weekly birthday and house parties. It's amazing to me, the changes that have taken place in Rehoboth during the last twenty years. Yet even as things get busier, there is still a great sense of community in this place we call home, and as we continue to grow, that community becomes more diverse and more interesting. From our vantage point here at CAMP Rehoboth, we are lucky to be able to see firsthand many of the people whose paths have led them to call this place homeeven if it's only for a few months in the summertime. To keep up with all that's keeping us busy, check out the CAMPdates calendar on page 82. It would be impossible to talk about community without connecting it to the Gay Men's Chorus and their guests the Rainbow Chorale of Delaware. These groups do so much for building a sense of familythey unite usthey celebrate usthey make us glad to be who we are. I've seen and enjoyed all three of the Rehoboth Chorus concerts, but this one especially moved meand judging from the enthusiastic reception the audience as well. It's wonderful that the event is a fundraiser and I know that the money raised is much appreciated at SCAC, but just as important are the spirits that are raised. On page 6 Kelli Steele gives us a follow up to this year's inspiring concert. Speaking of fundraisers, it wouldn't be the fourth of July weekend without the LOVE benefit at the convention center. This year's LOVE 2000 promises to be another big successhere again uniting the fund with the fun raising, and adding to the spirit of community I was talking about a moment ago. I know DJ Darryl Strickland and lighting designer Paul Turner will create a great evening of loveand I'm pretty sure I just saw Murray go by with a hundred yards of pink tissue lam! Tickets ($35 in advance, $45 at the door) will go fast and are available at Lambda Rising and CAMP Rehoboth at 39 Baltimore Avenue. Even though it's not yet mid-summer and the November elections seem far away, 2000 politics in the First State are especially interesting to the gay and lesbian community as all three gubernatorial candidatesDemocrat Ruth Ann Minner, and Republicans John Burris and Bill Leeare courting the gay vote. This gives us a real window of opportunitya chance to take our place at the table and to let our voices be heard. I urge everyone to get out and support the candidate of your choiceto let them know that their support is important to us as gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people. Earlier, I talked about the changes I've seen in Rehoboth, but change is all around us. Politics, religion, communicationthe world is a much different place than it was fifty years agoour culture is changing, and gay peopleas I suspect always are and always have beenare in the midst of that change. Maybe that's why everyone I know is so busy these days. Life is changing all around us and we're all just trying to keep up. I would like to say that even with all the deadlines and projects and changes happening to us these days, we still love to see and hear from everyoneafter all, the vision of the new CAMP Rehoboth Community Center Project is to be the heart of the Community. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 10, No. 8, June 30, 2000. |