LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
SPEAK Out |
Thank you for many things. First, thank you once again for hosting the Delmarva Piano Festival this year. All were thrilled to be invited to your new CAMP Rehoboth community auditorium for this event. Second, thank you for mentioning the Delmarva Piano Festival in your welcoming remarks (which I heard were so well received) at the Homeowners Association forum Thursday night. I wish I could have been there to smile with you once again, for all good reasons. Third, thank you for providing the new community center for all of us in the community. Already the community center is seen as the place where the action is, civic and cultural. Nancy Martin The Revised Spiritual Leaders' Statement is a document supporting civil rights, including civil marriage, for gay and transgender Delawareans. It is signed by Jewish, Catholic, Protestant and other clergy members who live or minister in Delaware, and to date there are nearly a hundred signatories. Would-be signatories may sign electronically on my website at www.towardequality.org. Laypeople might ask clergy members to sign. Yes, Delaware finally enacted a sexual orientation antidiscrimination law after over eleven years of Dixiecrat obstructionism. But while that was a major success, it did nothing to protect transgender Delawareans, who continue with neither hate-crime nor anti-discrimination protection. And without civil marriage, same-gender couples lack 1,138 federal rights and hundreds of state rights automatically deriving from civil marriage. Most non-gay couples take these rights for granted. Gay couples can only wonder what it must be like to be that enfranchised. The Revised Spiritual Leaders' Statement will provide input to Delaware lawmakers as they consider these unresolved issues. More broadly, the document affirms that religious beliefs are not a basis upon which to deny American citizens their civil rightsand that we should love, not loathe, our neighbor. Douglas Marshall-Steele Polly Adams Mervine, the Democratic candidate for State Senate in the Aug. 3 special elction, would vote AGAINST gay rights in the state legislature. She told me so herself. Mervine appeared at a gathering of Democrats at the home of Milton Town Councilwoman Leah Betts on July 24. I asked her the following question: "Your father was a leading opponent of the recently passed legislation barring discrimination against gay people. If you had been in the legislature, would you have voted for or against that bill?" Her response: "Because I come from the very conservative western side of the county, I would have voted against it." Mervine went on to say that she "has some gay friends," but cannot support gay rights because of her conservative constituents. She was soon surrounded by several gay people who attempted to explain why discrimination was wrong, comparing it to racial or religious discrimination. She did not understand the comparison. She seemed overwhelmed and bewildered by the entire conversation. She lost dozens of votes in Milton that night. Many of us had been told that she was "a new generation," but clearly she is not. Gay Democrats should know her stand before supporting her in the Aug. 3 special election. I am a lifelong Democrat, but I cannot support someone who does not support me. I will not vote in the special election. Marianne Lester As the first elected openly gay Rehoboth Beach City Commissioner I ask for you to reelect Kathy McGuiness for city commissioner. Kathy joined me in drafting a resolution in support of statewide efforts to protect gay and lesbian civil rights. Her unqualified backing was in contrast to others who worked behind the scenes to weaken the language or openly opposed it. Personally what I admire most about Kathy is her "workhorse" ethic, which has produced life-long improvements to our community. Vote Kathy McGuiness for City Commissioner. Mark Aguirre I was very moved by the article on the passing of Michael Pecora. I did not know him very well (through casual friends) but from what I knew of him, he was a great person who liked to dance and laugh. I really felt how much this group of friends cared for himit really touched me and I wished that I could have known him better. And I appreciate that, although his passing could have been written up as a cautionary tale about internet dating, they focused on the human aspects of this handsome young man whose life was taken way too early. Thank you, Craig, Tim, Jennifer and Devon for contributing this touching tribute. George Eager The DC Cowboys have accepted an invitation to perform at the Sziget Festivalone of the largest music and cultural festivalsin Budapest, Hungary, August 12-17. We'll dance as part of a variety show to present GLBT cultural events. I'm writing to secure donations to help us raise funds for our airfare to Budapest. Please consider a donation to help send one or more of our boys to this exciting opportunity. Tax deductible donations may be sent to the DC Cowboys Dance Company, 1801 T Street, NW #D, Washington, DC 20009. For more information, visit dccowboys.org. Kevin Platte Executive and Artistic Director |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 19, No. 10 July 31, 2009 |