Summer Cadet Training
On Friday, April 21, CAMP Rehoboth continued its long-standing tradition with the City of Rehoboth Beach and provided LGBTQ+ competency training for the city’s summer cadets. The presentation took place on the first of three weekends for cadet training. It gave CAMP Rehoboth an opportunity to meet the new group of officers, talk about the many things CAMP Rehoboth does in the community, discuss local or national issues affecting the LGBTQ community, and answer any questions the new hires surfaced.
CAMP Rehoboth staffer Matty Brown led the presentation and discussion and was gratified by the engagement of this season’s cadets. “It was amazing to have so many thoughtful questions,” said Brown. “It shows the cadets’ desire to learn more about the community around them.”
CAMP Rehoboth extends special thanks to Lieutenant William Sullivan for continuing this remarkable partnership and invites readers to thank the cadets for their service this summer. ▼
Summer Solstice Luau
On Saturday, June 17, 5:30-9:30 p.m., the Lodge at Truitt Homestead will host it’s White Party Luau. This is the third year for the white party fundraiser for CAMP Rehoboth. The $75 admission includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and two cocktails. Live Hawaiian entertainment and dance music will keep attendees celebrating camaraderie, their identities, and the summer season.
The Lodge at Truitt Homestead is a Vantage Retirement Living Community. That means it’s family owned and operated. It’s defined by open-concept floor plans, fresh and local food, and a balcony with an ocean breeze. Luxury independent living at The Lodge offers monthly rentals, an abundance of amenities, and plenty of choice in how you spend your days. ▼
Leaving Twitter
In April, CAMP Rehoboth followed CenterLink, the national organizer for LGBTQ+ community centers, in deactivating its Twitter account. The decision came after Twitter—among other actions impacting the safety of LGBTQ+ users—silently removed protections for transgender and nonbinary users from targeted misgendering and deadnaming.
“Over the past few months, the Twitter landscape has become an unsafe platform for LGBTQ and BIPOC people to use,” wrote Denise Spivak, CenterLink CEO. “Anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ tweets have greatly increased, as well as anti-Black and antisemitic tweets that are published under the guise of bringing “free speech” back to the platform. Additionally, Twitter owner Elon Musk recently promoted an anti-trans tweet about the recent Nashville Covenant School shooting, which is the latest in a series of transphobic tweets.”
Read more on CenterLink’s decision to leave Twitter here: lgbtqcenters.org/News/CenterLink-Leaves-Twitter, and stay in touch with CAMP Rehoboth via Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. ▼
Youth Programming Resumes in Person
CAMP Rehoboth is excited to announce that YouthUp and CAMP Families have teamed up to resume in-person youth programming. Upcoming highlights include trips to Funland and a ride on the Cape Water Taxi. For more information, check out the Classes & Events listing on page 27 or online at camprehoboth.com. ▼
Pride Film Festival
The Rehoboth Beach Film Society and CAMP Rehoboth are partnering to present the Pride Film Festival. The festival runs June 9-11 at the Cinema Art Theater in Lewes.
Eight films, including documentaries and features along with a must-see block of shorts will be presented over three days. Confirmed titles include an exclusive first showing of the Indigo Girls documentary It’s Only Life After All, Kokomo City, Horseplay, Passages, and I (heart) Jack LaLanne. (Meet LeAnn Erickson, the filmmaker of I (heart), on page 16.)
The Society will also host a late-night special feature of the film classic Rocky Horror Picture Show for festival moviegoers and a special student rate. Participants can expect other social gatherings in celebration of the Festival and Pride Month. Sponsorship opportunities are available by emailing info@rehobothfilm.com, and tickets are available at rehobobothfilm.com ▼
Wear Orange Weekend
Wear Orange is a non-political, non-partisan initiative organized by Everytown. The campaign is called “Wear Orange.” Wear Orange Weekend begins with National Gun Violence Awareness Day on Friday, June 2. During this time, the goal is to spread awareness of public safety. It is dedicated to honoring the lives of people in the US affected by gun violence and to elevating the voices of those asking for an end to it. Fifty-eight percent of Americans have been affected by some form of gun violence, such as suicide, domestic violence, homicides, or assaults. ▼
On the Cover—Welcome Home
Celebrating Membership Month and Memorial Day, the cover for this issue features members of CAMP Rehoboth. Plus, as many will make their return to Rehoboth Beach for Memorial Day weekend, Letters also welcomes readers home with a nod to the 2023 summer season.
Since its inception, CAMP Rehoboth’s mission has been to create a more positive Rehoboth, and to create safe spaces where all sexual orientations and gender identities are respected and celebrated.
In light of that mission, the theme for Membership Month is “Welcome Home: Home is where the heart is.” CAMP Rehoboth invites everyone to engage with its continuing efforts to forge a sanctuary for all by becoming a member today. Read more about membership in CAMP Rehoboth Development Manager Laurie Thompson’s Community Connections column (page 30). ▼
Pictured, Paul Lindsey, Richard Gamble
SUNFESTIVAL Announces Talent
CAMP Rehoboth is excited to announce the line-up for SUNFESTIVAL, its annual Labor Day celebration. All are invited to CAMP Rehoboth’s biggest fundraiser of the year, which helps raise funds for the community center’s essential health, wellness, arts, and advocacy programming.
On Saturday, September 2, SUNFESTIVAL kicks off the weekend with a night of comedy, drag, and song from co-headliners Dixie Longate and Randy Roberts.
Dixie Longate is the ginger-haired Alabama gal whose show offers outrageously funny tales, heartfelt accounts, audience participation, and a little bit of empowerment and homespun wisdom.
Meanwhile, the Randy Roberts Show is an all-live, multimedia tribute to some of the world’s most-loved performers—think: Cher, Bette Midler, Mae West, Joan Crawford, Carol Channing, and oh, so many more!
Between shows, there will be a silent and live auction so come early to snag one of the unique items up for bid.
On Sunday, September 3, the iconic Sundance returns, bringing DJs Robbie Leslie and Joe Gauthreaux back to the stage.
For more information on tickets, accessibility, and sponsorships, visit camprehoboth.com. ▼
SPEAKOut
Dear CAMP Rehoboth,
I was one of the fortunate audience members sitting in the Elkins-Archibald Atrium, enjoying a concert by BROLO on a recent Saturday evening. BROLO, more formally known as “Brotherly Love,” is the small-group ensemble of the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus (PCMC). Its fourteen singers and their accompanist performed under the direction of PGMC Conductor Joseph J. Buches.
As a singer myself, I was impressed by the technical skill of the singers. Each time, the vocal crescendos swept the audience up in growing waves of sound. Precise diction meant that every sung word could be understood. Their staggered breathing allowed the last note of the last song to continue on and on. It was as if the singers, like the audience, just could not bear for this musical performance to end.
However, audience members did not need to know anything about vocal technique to enjoy the concert. The beauty of the harmonies and the selection of songs took care of that. The program included new arrangements of old favorites such as “You’ll Never Walk Alone” and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” as well as several songs from the PGMC’s upcoming tribute to Elton John. It also included some lesser-known pieces.
I fell in love with the lovely melody and the lyrics of “Chosen Family.” Its refrain shares this truth: “We don’t need to be related to relate. / We don’t need to share genes or a surname. / You are, you are my chosen, chosen family. / So what if we don’t look the same? / We been going through the same pain, yeah. / You are, you are my chosen, chosen family.”
For more than three decades, CAMP Rehoboth has been part of this community’s chosen family. Thank you, CAMP Rehoboth, for your continuing efforts to make sure that LGBTQ+ voices are heard, especially when they are lifted in song.
– Glen C. Pruitt
Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Send letters to the editor (up to 300 words) to editor@camprehoboth.com