LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
The Way I See It |
by Steve Elkins, Editor |
Every November I find myself shaking my head and wondering how the year could possibly have passed so swiftly. Looking back on this one, I also find myself wondering how we did it allthe Women's Conference, The Founders' Circle, CAMPsafe, the Community Center, Sundance, Follies, Letters, and all the other projects and programs of CAMP Rehoboth have made it a year to remember. This issue's CAMP Matters column on page 6 includes a list of all the year's activities in which we were involved. My thanks to the volunteers, supporters, and donors who have made it all possible. About a week after our last issue of Letters was published, I got a call from an irate mother who felt that its cover was offensive because it used children's toys to show affection between two men and two women. The mother was outraged by the gay positive image, but evidently her five year old loved it. The conversation got me thinking about the words "Create a More Positive," which forms the acronym at the heart of CAMP Rehoboth. In the early days of CAMP Rehoboth I frequently thought and wrote about those words. These days I often take them for granted because relations between the gay and the straight community here have improved so much. The call took me by surprise, I guess, because it was about such an innocent, playful image, but it has also reminded me of the importance of continuing to create positive images for gay people. The funny thing is, of course, that the five year old didn't care one way or anotherat least not until his mother got hold of him. Remember the song from South Pacific, "You have to be taught to hate and fear...you have to be carefully taught." We have to keep teaching as well. One of the best ways our community comes together to create positive images is the Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival which took place this year during the week of November 5-9. CAMP Rehoboth is a big supporter of the Festival because it provides an amazing number of gay and gay related films, and because it brings the whole communitygay, straight, men, women, young, and oldtogether. It challenges us to explore a whole range of new ideas, visions, and experiences. CAMP Rehoboth is a big supporter because it lives up to our mission of supporting the arts and creating a more positive place. Murray and I are big supporters because we love films. This year's festival was a huge success, and I speak from personal experience, as we saw 18 films. Our thanks, appreciation, and congratulations to the staff, members, volunteers, and sponsors who made it such an extraordinary event. For many years now, December 1 has been World AIDS Daya time set aside to focus worldwide attention on the devastation brought on by the AIDS epidemic. One of the most powerful statements I've seen this year is that, "worldwide, five people die of AIDS every minute." Our local World AIDS Day observance includes a Candlelight Walk and a Service of Remembrance and Hope. This year will also include The Ribbon Project, which involves running a red ribbon all the way along the walk route, and will require the efforts of 25 teams of three to produce. Anyone wishing to put together a team should contact the CAMP office. For more on World AIDS Day see page 28. This is the last issue of the 13th season of Letters from CAMP Rehoboth, and we'll take a short break in publishing until the first of February. CAMP Rehoboth, however, will continue to be open all winter long. Join us on December 7, 4-7 p.m. at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center for the Community Unity Dinner. Also at the Convention Center, the second annual Starburst Gayla women's New Year's Eve party benefitting CAMP Rehoboth and WomenHeart. Tickets are $45 in advance at CAMP Rehoboth. Happy Holidays! |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 13, No. 15, November 26, 2003 |