LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Speak Out |
On behalf of Rehoboth Beach Main Street, I would like to thank you and CAMP Rehoboth for all of your help getting the desserts for the sixth annual Community Unity Dinner. What would dinner be without dessert! Thank you for all of your help and your continued support of the Main Street program. Many exciting things are happening with the program and downtown Rehoboth Beach. And it is the continued support of local homeowners and businesses which make it all possible. Again, thank you for your dessert donations and all you do to support us. Fay Jacobs, Executive Director Rehoboth Beach Main Street Thank you for the gift of $3,276.88 made on November 8, 1999 to benefit the Breast Cancer Program at Beebe Medical Center. The support of the CAMP Rehoboth staff, Dawn Lester and Lynn Foraker of The Beach House Restaurant, CAMP Rehoboth's Trisha Massella, the event coordinator, and the community is very important to us. Our mission at Beebe Medical Center is to encourage healthy living, prevent illness, and restore optimal health for all the people residing, working, or visiting in our community. The gift to the Breast Cancer Program will help us meet our mission. We are very appreciative of your support. Marcia Marvel, Executive Director Beebe Medical Foundation On January 24, 2000, about 20 members of the Pro-Life Alliance of Gays and Lesbians (PLAGAL) did an amazing thing. They marched with other Pro Lifers at the annual "March for Life" protesting the Roe vs. Wade decision on its anniversary despite being threatened with arrest. The organizers of the Right to Life March told PLAGAL that they could not march since they were gay. Now, if PLAGAL "closeted" themselves and just blended in, they would be okay. Sound familiar? Remember the Clinton administration's, "Don't Ask Don't Tell" military policy? How about states that still allow employers to discriminate against open gays? At the Right to Life March, all other groups were allowed to march behind banners reflecting their various churches, organizations or states but if PLAGAL members carried its banner, they would be arrested and thrown in jail. This being known at the annual PLAGAL meeting on the eve of the march, members decided to risk being arrested. After all, they reasoned it would be hypocritical if PLAGAL hid at the March for Life when for years they fought so hard to be included openly in pride events and parades within its own community. In addition, if PLAGAL bowed to the pressures imposed by the organizers, they would do the gay community no good. By not marching, they would be acknowledging that it was right to hate and this would be a backward step. PLAGAL members do not want to be excluded from the gay community just because of their pro-life beliefs and values. Likewise, they do not want to be excluded from the pro-life community just because they are lesbian and gay. Therefore, despite the threats, PLAGAL appeared at the march, and when the police barricaded them, PLAGAL members maneuvered around the police and entered the parade further up the street marching under their banner with the word "censored" scantly taped across so everyone would know what the words were underneath. Their decision to ignore the arrest threats from the organizers of the march was noted in The Washington Post, The Washington Times, and several other news publications throughout the country. The majority of gays and lesbians may not share the beliefs of PLAGAL, but they should be proud of this small group within its community. PLAGAL members marched peacefully and with determination along side of 50,000 other individuals that included some of the gay community's worst foes. PLAGAL's presence was a step toward bridging the gap between those individuals and the gay community as a whole. At the end of the march, members of "Feminists for Life," "Collegiates for Life," Catholic priests and bishops, and other marchers from all walks of life and religions congratulated and thanked PLAGAL. It did not matter whether fellow marchers were gay or straight, what mattered was the shared belief of those marching that day. And now those Right to Life March organizers have something to think about for next year. Michael Ferens The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is actively seeking gay men and lesbians to serve as delegates to the National Convention in Los Angeles this August. The DNC opposes discrimination based on sexual orientation and is committed to full inclusion of gay men and lesbians in the party and in American life. Delaware selects its delegates through a two-tiered caucus system. District caucuses will be held throughout the state on March 27, 2000 (times and locations to be announced late February or early March). Any registered Democrat may attend their district caucus. Those persons selected as district delegates will go on to attend the state caucus on April 8, 2000 where the final delegates and alternates will be selected to attend the National Convention. Delaware selects a total of 14 delegates and 4 alternates and also has 6 automatic delegates and 2 pledged party leaders/elected officials. If you are interested in attending your district caucus to participate in the selection process or are interested in possibly being a delegate, be sure to register as a Democrat no later than March 17, 2000. Watch local papers for district caucus information. If you want more information, you can also check the state Democratic party website at www.deldems.org or call me at 302-654-3966. Peter Medwick DE ACLU, Lesbian & Gay Civil Rights Project If you would like to Speak Out, we would like to hear from you. Address your letters to: CAMP Rehoboth, 39 Baltimore Ave, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971, or e-mail: editor@camprehoboth.com. All letters must be signed with your full name and include your phone number for verification. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 10, No. 1, Feb. 4, 2000. |