Anita Broccolino joins CAMP Rehoboth Staff
Anita Broccolino, an experienced event planner, grant writer, and development manager has joined the CAMP Rehoboth staff as Development Director.
She has worked for national and international for-profit and non-profit organizations including Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Human Rights Campaign, and Rosie’s Broadway Kids among others.
CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director David Mariner says “Anita has strong connections to local chambers of commerce in the area and is an active member of our local LGBTQ community. I first met Anita when she was working as an Associate Director of Development for the Human Rights Campaign, and I'm excited to be working with her.”
A Whole CROP of Weeds Disappears at Botanic Gardens
A CROP team of six turned out at Delaware Botanic Gardens on Thursday, June 25, to help the staff get ready to open for their summer season. A whole "CROP" of weeds was removed from a large area of plantings to be one of the first areas viewed by the visiting public. Chief Horticulturist Brian Trader expressed his appreciation, saying "Thank you for organizing a dedicated team of volunteers to help at the gardens today. I look forward to keeping in touch and seeing you at some of the CAMP Rehoboth events." And Volunteer Coordinator Carol McCloud added "Like Brian, I really appreciated all that the volunteers did today.…We definitely enjoyed having you here!"
Stonewall PAC Event Canceled
With the safety of the community as a top priority, the Board of Delaware Stonewall PAC has decided to cancel their summer event for 2020. “This, however, does not mean that our work has ceased. We will still be endorsing candidates who we believe will help us move legislation forward to benefit the LGBTQ community,“ said Pete Schott, president of the Delaware Stonewall PAC. The organization is seeking contributions and membership at www.delawarestonewall.org.
United Under an Umbrella of Love
“United in Love is the overarching theme of Sundance 2020,” explains its founder and producer, Murray Archibald. “With that in mind, our message between now and Labor Day Weekend will reveal what that means to us in this most difficult of times for our community and our world.”
Included in the weekly Sundance 2020: United in Love messaging are words of Support, Equality, Community, Health, Heart, Hope, Joy, Kindness, and Celebration. All under a rainbow umbrella of Love.
“Support is the first word,” event Co-chair Sondra Arkin says. “Sundance depends on support from Hosts, Supporters, and Sponsors to make it happen; CAMP Rehoboth depends on support from Sundance to continue its advocacy, health, and community programing.”
Support Sundance 2020 at camprehoboth.com.
Passing Down our History
CAMP Rehoboth LGBTQA+ youth program will offer a virtual sit-down Queer History conversation with Fay Jacobs (she/her/hers), a nationally known, award-winning lesbian author and humorist, on Thursday, July 30, at 7 p.m. She'll talk about Compton's Cafeteria Riot, age of McCarthyism, 1950s Lavender Scare, Stonewall riots, Harvey Milk, and the HIV epidemic (and many other queer history topics).
Please be mindful these meetings are specifically open to youth ages 11-19.
For ZOOM meeting ID and password contact Barbara at bantlitz@camprehoboth.com.
Looking Back
July 2004
Trying to Turn Red States to Blue in ’04
Chrissy Gephardt is the openly lesbian daughter of US Representative Richard Gephardt (D-MO). Since publicly coming out, she has become a force in connecting with the LGBTQ community, especially during her father's presidential campaign. A political consultant, she lives in Washington, DC.
Chrissy will be joining Ruth Ann Minner, who was Delaware’s governor from 2001 till 2009, and US Representative Barney Frank at the Delaware Stonewall Democrats’ summer benefit in Rehoboth Beach on Saturday, August 7.
Speak Out
Dear Editor,
I just wanted to drop you a note about the CAMP Rehoboth youth programming taking place since the pandemic began.
At Parents of Trans Kids, Delaware (PTK), we were not sure how to proceed with our youth group, as our focus is to work with parents. Youth meet at the same time, because we thought it would be great to build a community of families. However, youth must be accompanied by their parents as the goal is to facilitate conversations with parents and their children.
When the pandemic began, I did not think of contacting CAMP Rehoboth to see if they could be a resource. But that was a mistake on my part.
I met Barbara Antlitz last fall at the first PTK South meeting. I asked her to include me on any emails she sent about programming. I felt Barbara was going to be a great addition to CAMP and to the group of allies who support Delaware's youth. I was correct.
Thank you to CAMP Rehoboth and Barbara for creating a diverse Zoom program for Delaware teenagers. In the beginning, I thought it would be a once-a-week Zoom chat but again, I was incorrect. I’m glad to say that I have promoted all CAMP Rehoboth's programming to our families. The programs reach youth of all interests: pet lovers, avid readers, entertainers, and those who want to learn more about LGBTQ+ culture in Delaware. I’m excited to receive Barbara's weekly emails to see what topics she will be presenting. They all look great. On a personal note, I was very pleased that CAMP Rehoboth facilitated workshops for parents and allies led by Planned Parenthood of Delaware. They were relevant and interactive.
People are quick to complain about anything that upsets them, but rarely do people take the time to give kudos to those doing a fantastic job. I hope this letter makes you feel that you are doing worthy things and keeps you motivated for the future.
Thank you again,
Andrea Rashbaum
Editor:
Picture this: I'm at the Dover Honda waiting room as my car is being serviced. One dog is with me on the chair, the other at my feet. Reading Letters, I came to Fay's column—always a highlight of my Letters read. This time, not tears from laughter, but tears from a heartwarming memory of the Darryl & Joe COVID saga. I’m masked, wearing now-fogged reading glasses, now-soggy cotton mask, and glanced at by other car-being-serviced lounge sharers. It was a beautifully written column, as always. And a beautiful story of Darryl & Joe's love for each other, of Darryl's courageous fight, of our community as a supportive place to be during trying times, of our good fortune in having a top-notch health care facility in coastal Delaware. Thank you, Fay. God bless, Darryl & Joe. And stay well, Darryl and all of you.
Peter Pizzolongo