LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth The Way I See It by Steve Elkins, Editor 2003 has been an amazing year for the GLBT community in this country and around the world, and not just because we've got Q
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
The Way I See It |
by Steve Elkins, Editor |
2003 has been an amazing year for the GLBT community in this country and around the world, and not just because we've got Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. From the Episcopal Church to the Supreme Court great progress has been made. The downside, of course, is the backlash that always seems to come when change happens at a more rapid pace than people can handle. The gay marriage issue has galvanized many of our opponents in support of a Constitutional Amendment that must not be allowed to happen. All of us need to take the time to contact our Senators and Representatives and let them know how unacceptable it would be to support such an amendment. For more information on the proposed Constitutional Amendment or on contacting elected officials, visit the HRC Web site at www.HRC.org. 2003 has also been an amazing year for CAMP Rehoboth, and its work now keeps us occupied all year long. Sometimes I think fondly of the days when everything in Rehoboth shut down for the winter, but those days are no more, and haven't been for some time now. In CAMPmatters on page 6, Murray writes about the way we are reorganizing our projects and programs, and trying to live up to our vision of being "the heart of the community." He also explains some new and exciting changes taking place with The Women's Project, and its role as a part of CAMP Rehoboth. Many of you have seen the audition call that went out for the local production of The Laramie Project over the last couple of months. The show is now cast, and will be presented on November 22, in the theater at the Cape Henlopen High School. The production, produced and directed by Becky Craft, is being sponsored by CAMP Rehoboth, and tells the story of Matthew Shepard from the viewpoint of many different characters. There will be only one public showing, so tickets will go fast. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students. For tickets and information call the CAMP Rehoboth office. World AIDS Day is December 1, and the local observation of the day will again center around a candlelight walk through the streets of Rehoboth. The walk will end at Epworth United Methodist Church with a service of Remembrance and Hope and a reading of the names of our friends and loved ones who have died of the disease. It is especially important that we remind the younger members of our community, who don't remember the early years of the epidemic, about the pain that AIDS and HIV can bring to ones life. To join this years World AIDS Day planning committee call CAMP Rehoboth or SCAC. One of my favorite events of the year, as many of you know, is the Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival. This year's festival opens on Wednesday evening, November 5, and goes through Sunday, November 9. On page 14, Rehoboth Beach Film Society director Joe Bilancio gives us an exciting peek into what this year's festival has planned. If you've never participated in the Film Festival, you don't know what you're missing. To speed the process of getting tickets, sign up to become a member of the Film Society right away. For information about the Film Society or this year's Festival, see their Web site at rehobothfilm.com. Though Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas all come first, New Year's Eve is not far away, and Rehoboth has become a popular place to celebrate. If you don't have a winter place at the beach, check out a Bed and Breakfast. In its second year, the Starburst Gayla at the Rehoboth Convention Center will be a popular destination for the women's community in the area for New Year's Eve. Benefitting WomenHeart and CAMP Rehoboth, the party is sure to be another great success and a good reason to ring in the New Year with your friends at the beach. |