I can hardly believe that with this issue of Letters we are midway through the month of June! The summer season always seems to fly by, doesn’t it? Before we know it we’ll be celebrating the 26th Sundance on Labor Day weekend! Well, maybe it’s not time to talk about Sundance yet, but I will say thank you to everyone who worked to make the recent Black and White Beach Ball a success: the artists and curators of the HeART of the Community art auction, the volunteers who put it all together, and to the folks at Clear Space Theater (especially David Button) who welcomed us so graciously into their space. For black and white photos from the Black and White Beach Ball, and other June events, see CAMPshots in this issue.
The recent passage of the Delaware Marriage Equality Act was a big deal for us, and received a great deal of publicity. Following on its heels is another bill of importance to us: this one dealing with gender identity. On Wednesday, June 5, SB 97 (the Gender Identity Nondiscrimination Act) passed in the Delaware Senate. SB 97 is an act that would amend the current Delaware code by adding gender identity to hate crimes and discrimination legislation in employment, public works contracting, housing, equal accommodation, and insurance. Now the focus moves to the Delaware House of Representatives, and as we did on the marriage equality bill, we’re working with HRC and Equality Delaware and asking folks to send their representative a message in support of SB 97. Passage of SB 97 would make Delaware the 17th state to prohibit discrimination based on gender identity and expression. For more information on how to help with passage of this bill, contact Karl Bach.
On June 5, Fay Jacobs and I conducted our annual Delaware Park Police diversity training. Interestingly, this year all the officers in attendance were new to the job—and seemed eager to know how best to work with the LGBT visitors to the parks. I’ve been conducting diversity training sessions for the Rehoboth Beach summer police officers for 22 years, and the Park Police for 14. After this year’s Rehoboth Beach training, Detective Sullivan and all the officers took me up on my offer of a tour of the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center. I reminded them all to stop in anytime for a rest, some water, or a bathroom—and of course, some of the CAMPsafe condoms!
For several years now, the boys of 6 Futcher Drive have made their popular summer pool party a benefit for CAMP Rehoboth, and that tradition continues on Friday, July 5, from noon to 6 p.m. at their Winter Wonderland Independence Day Pool Party. Music is by DJ Mike Reimer. A $15 donation is requested at the door of the party, or the donation can be made on the CAMP Rehoboth website prior to the event.
The Eighth Annual CAMP Rehoboth Golf Classic takes place at Marsh Island Golf Club on Friday, June 28. Fees are $100 per person or $375 per foursome, and include continental breakfast, green fees, cart fees, luncheon, and prizes. The Golf Classic benefits: CAMP Rehoboth Community Center 40%; Metropolitan Community Church Building Fund 40%; and the West Rehoboth Youth Program 20%.
June is officially Gay Pride month, and CAMP Rehoboth is presenting The LGBT Pictionary Show by artist John Bittinger Klomp. John’s mixed media distressed paintings will be on display in the gallery at CAMP Rehoboth through June. Some of the pieces from that show are featured on the cover of this issue of Letters.
Don’t forget, it’s not too late to sign up for CAMP Rehoboth’s 14 day, January 2014, cruise from Valparaiso, Chile around Cape Horn to Bueno Aires, Argentina on the Celebrity Infinity. Enjoy private cruise parties, wine country tours, unbelievable shore excursions and more. More Info