Drag Is Not a Crime
On March 22, CAMP Rehoboth issued a statement on the growing anti-drag legislation manifesting in many states across America. Estimates point to at least 26 bills introduced in 14 states—including Tennessee, Kentucky, and Texas—that target drag events. The proposed bills aim to restrict drag as “adult cabaret” performances and ban them altogether from public spaces with the intention to protect minors. Earlier this month, Tennessee’s Governor Bill Lee signed the legislation into law; it took effect on April 1, and offenders will be charged with misdemeanors for first offenses, and felonies for any subsequent offenses. According to the ACLU, there are many states with similar legislation close behind.
These laws join the larger movement taking aim at LGBTQ+ rights, especially those of transgender and nonbinary individuals and disproportionately youth. Examples of other recent bills advancing in state legislatures include efforts to exclude transgender girls from youth sports, to prohibit access for transgender folks to public facilities like restrooms, and—alarmingly—to prevent gender-affirming healthcare for trans youth.
CAMP Rehoboth invited local show hosts to share their perspectives on the issue. Roxy Overbrooke offers a salient call to action: “To our allies out there, I want to remind you: while you enjoy our shows and want to come and have a good time, remember those who provided those good times...and speak up.”
Mona Lotts, show host at the Top of the Pines, gets personal: “I can remember as a young man coming out of gay bars—when I was in the closet—and being afraid that someone was going to attack me. But those days are over. I’m out, I’m proud, and you should be too.”
For the full CAMP Rehoboth statement and videos with Roxy and Mona’s responses, visit camprehoboth.com. ▼
Women’s FEST Weekend is Here
The time has come! Women’s FEST weekend will kick off Thursday, April 27, and will bring fun, entertainment, spring, and tradition to the Rehoboth Beach area. CAMP Rehoboth invites readers to welcome the hundreds of attendees to the beach! Plus, be sure to check out Nancy Sakaduski’s column on page 10 for the Women’s FEST scoop.
Gracing the cover for this issue is Karen Laitman, co-chair of this year’s Women’s FEST, representing all the “superhero” volunteers who made the festivities possible. ▼
Photo by Murray Archibald
Looking for Letters
Even people who don’t know they’re looking for Letters will soon be able to find it. In late 2022, CAMP Rehoboth was approached by research database developer EBSCO, which provides databases to academic, government, corporate, and public libraries worldwide. EBSCO is building an LGBTQ-centric database and wanted to include Letters. Inclusion in the database comes at no cost to CAMP Rehoboth, as EBSCO can acquire Letters content for the database via the online versions of the magazine.
A decision to partner with EBSCO was reached recently. Letters’ content will be indexed for the database beginning with its 2023 issues. ▼
Thank You, Nicola Pizza!
On Monday, March 6, Nicola Pizza held its monthly “Dine-and-Donate” fundraiser, choosing CAMP Rehoboth as the beneficiary. The night was a fabulous opportunity for community members to visit Nicola’s new location on the highway in Lewes.
“We were excited to pair with CAMP Rehoboth to raise some money for a great organization,” said Kelly Munyan, Nicola Pizza co-owner.
In total, $1,225 was raised, which Munyan reported as a stellar night. CAMP Rehoboth thanks the generosity of dozens of members who came out to support us, and Nicola Pizza for supporting the community. ▼
Welcome, City Manager
On March 28, Rehoboth Beach’s new City Manager, Laurence Christian, visited CAMP Rehoboth along with Chief of Police Keith Banks. CAMP Rehoboth was proud to welcome Christian to the community, discuss CAMP Rehoboth’s history and collaboration with the city with programs like LGBTQ+ cultural competency training for summer cadets, and give a tour of the CAMPus, including the new CAMP Rehoboth Health Suite (see page 18 for more about the suite).
CAMP Rehoboth thanks City Manager Christian, Chief Banks, and all city officials for helping to create a more positive Rehoboth! ▼
PTK Back in Person
Parents of Trans Kids (PTK) will return to in-person monthly meetings in Sussex County starting in May. Prior to COVID, the group met in Milford; they will now reconvene in Lewes. For the exact time and location, contact ptkdelaware@gmail.com.
PTK’s mission is to provide a safe, non-judgmental space for parents and caregivers of transgender and gender expansive children of any age to ask questions, offer support, and to share information, resources, and life experiences. ▼
Pride Film Festival Opens During Pride Month
The Rehoboth Beach Film Society (RBFS) is proud to present the 2023 PRIDE Film Festival (formerly known as Delaware LGBTQ+ CINE-brations Festival) in partnership with CAMP Rehoboth. Eight films (selections will be announced soon) will be presented over three days (June 9-11) at the Society’s Cinema Art Theater in Lewes. Participants also can expect other social gatherings in celebration of the Festival and PRIDE Month.
“We are very excited to bring the PRIDE Film Festival back to our community, and we’re pleased to partner with Rehoboth Beach Film Society to promote LGBTQ+ arts here,” said CAMP Rehoboth Interim Director Lisa Evans.
“The Society felt strongly about expanding the audience for what was the first LGBTQ+ festival in the State of Delaware. Updating the name of the festival and focusing on PRIDE month made sense for the 2023 relaunch. Why would we not celebrate as any other US city with the patrons we serve?” asked RBFS Executive Director Helen Chamberlin.
Admission is $12 per screening. Patrons are encouraged to purchase tickets online at RehobothFilm.com. (If seats are available, tickets will be available for sale in-person starting 30 minutes prior to each screening.) Tickets are non-refundable and there will be no exchanges. ▼
Fetch the Champagne Flutes!
Letters contributor Tom Kelch was nominated for a Delaware HIV Consortium WOW Award! He didn’t make the final cut, but he’s still a winner in our book. Congratulations, Tom!
Tom was nominated based on his Guest House Chronicles series, which began running in Letters last year. (You can read it at camprehoboth.com/letters/2022.) The series detailed the early years of the Rehoboth Guest House and offered an up-front-and-personal look into the lives of many of the town’s gay pioneers.
The WOW Award is presented annually by the Delaware HIV Consortium, and honors Delawareans who have helped improve the lives of people living with HIV in Delaware. Awards will be presented to winners on Friday, April 21, at the Consortium’s Gala and Auction. ▼
– Travels with Letters –
Norwegian Pearl Cruise
Scott Beadle, Ed Black, John Black, Jeff Davis, Mike English, Bill Graff,
Bob Kaplan, Rich Nacey, David O’Berry, Jeff Schuck, and Steve Touzell. Absent from photo—Max Dick.
Hawaii
Robb “the Uke Guy” Mapou