LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Speak Out |
Amazing, isn't it? In 38 states gay employees can legally be fired, not hired, or denied a raise just for being gay, and many instances of such discrimination have been well documented for many years. At the same time, Congress has been unwilling to pass the Employees' Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which would stop such abuses, despite a Gallup poll showing that 85% of Americans believe in equality for gay employees.
But suddenly when our legislators fear losing THEIR jobs in the midterm elections they immediately pass bills curbing corporate malfeasance in a pathetic attempt to curry favor with the electorate. Sadly, a similar situation of legislative self-interest exists in our own State of Delaware. Our state legislature could not find a way of overcoming the obstructionism of one senator who held hostage HB 99, a bill protecting gay Delawareans in the workplace and other venues. Sixty-nine percent of Delawareans backed the bill. But how the lawmakers scrambled to ensure legislative redistricting would allow them to keep their jobs! We gay Americans want to be judged on our work performance alone, not on our private lives. We also want our legislators to represent us, that is, to do their jobs. Douglas & Corey Marshall-Steele I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Chris Riss on the success of the CAMP Follies 2002. This new addition to the Rehoboth summer season, which I hope will become an annual event, is a credit to his dedication and creativity. Chris has been a staple of the scene here in Rehoboth for more years than he wants mentioned, but I believe this was his greatest event. I know how hard he worked on every aspect of the Follies from coaxing the acts to participate, rounding up the auction items, selling tickets, and I even heard he set up a chair or two. I even thank him for asking me to participate as a judge, though I have been told that a few "former" friends are no longer speaking to me. What was so great about this event was the enthusiasm of both the participants and attendees, who, if one looked both on stage and out over the audience, were a great cross section of our community. It was a little older crowd than one would see at some of CAMP's other events, and I was so happy not to be the oldest person in the room as I usually am. (Tony Burns not admitting to his age.) It was a crowd that symbolized the coming of age of our community here in Rehoboth. Someone said to me that night that they thought of the old slogan as they chatted with friends, "we're queer and we're here," gay and lesbian together. I also don't want to forget to mention some of the regular workers and volunteers without which no Rehoboth event would ever happen successfully: Rob Dick and the Blue Moon, Steve Elkins and Murray Archibald, Kathy Weir, Natalie Moss, Heine Lund (aka Tinkerbell), Maureen Keenan, Gene Dvornick, and many others. We have a bright new addition to the firmament of annual summer events in Rehoboth, and Chris, "hats off to you" and thanks. Peter Rosenstein, The Oldest Judge Oh what a night! A year ago when that thorn-in-my-side Chris Riss told me of this Rehoboth Follies thing I politely said "oh, great idea," turned, rolled my eyes and thought "it'll never work." How on earth would he ever get 10 groups motivated enough to pull it off if not even I was optimistic? I know what it's like just trying to get five people to the beach at the same time, much less props, costumes, rehearsal, and the hardest job, developing an idea in the first place. It's like building a house of cards out of eyelashes, falsies, and mood swings. Well, that fork-tongued, insult-wielding son of a gun did ita sold out event that was "heels over head" better than I ever expected. When one of the many local and national publications phoned me for an interview (OK, the Cape Gazette) they asked me what my favorite part of the Follies experience was. I responded "me." No, actually it was the excitement in the Convention Center before the show. Everyone from spectators to performers was so enthusiasticthe air was so thick with anticipation and support you could cut it with an eyeliner pencil! We were all there for each other and it was probably the strongest sense of community I've ever felt in this town. Believe it or not, this was the first time I had ever performed. I'd never lip-synced other than in the car and haven't been on a stage since my tap dance recital when I was seven. Though I was thrilled that our troupe won the Paul Robinson Award, the competition part of the event was insignificant. Every skit accepted and accomplished a challenge while making our friends laugh and cheer. We all won. It was truly an evening "over the rainbow." Thank you Chris and Rehoboth for supporting me in my many, many faces of silliness. Cliff Lassahn The CAMP Rehoboth Follies, what a great show! I was amazed to be sitting in the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center surrounded by hundreds of women and men, young and old, all laughing uproariously at the antics taking place on the stage. Anyone who hasn't been to town since CAMP Rehoboth came on the scene would not believe their eyes. All I can say is thank you to each and every one of you who worked so hard to make the Follies such a success. I can't wait until next year. Diane Rogers |
Letters should be addressed to Editor, Letters from CAMP Rehoboth, 39 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth, DE 19971, or e-mail: editor@camprehoboth.com. Include your name and phone number for verification. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 12, No. 11, August 9,, 2002. |