LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
SPEAK Out |
| The planners of the annual Delaware Pride event last weekend once again must be congratulated for coordinating a wonderful day of pride, spirit, and fun. Having said that, I need to raise an issue that I don't think should go unmentioned. While I appreciate comedy and entertainment as much as the next person, I am continually dismayed that many of our entertainers are insensitive to diverse issues of discrimination and inclusion. I am specifically addressing the rendition of Ike and Tina Turner's "Proud Mary": The lip-synching was wonderful; the costumes stupendous. But was it really appropriate to intersperse the act with "M**F**" this and "M**F** that" and to end the number with "Ike" beating "Tina"? Although I am sure this was meant to be funny, I would like to suggest that the things we laugh at often reveal our insensitivities to the struggle of others. Tina Turner was a battered spouse; there are thousands of women (and feminized gay men and trans people) battered physically and emotionally each day; there is a great deal of spousal battering and abuse in gay and lesbian relationships that is never discussed.
Do we as a community really want to parade our insensitivity to these issues by applauding an act that does not take these concerns seriously? The Rev. Tom Bohache Pastor, Metropolitan Community Church of Rehoboth I know I speak for the entire Board of Sussex County AIDS Council when I say the Super "T" Benefit held Sunday, August 21, at Cafe Zeus was a WOW! event. We owe a debt of gratitude to the event sponsors and all of the good natured people who participated. We also want to say thanks to the very generous people who supported the event. We at SCAC are always gratified whenever a group recognizes the needs of people with AIDS and are willing to do something to help. John Furbush, Vice President SCAC Board of Directors While there are many GLBT evacuees from the Hurricane Katrina disaster, they may well be poorly served or even totally unwelcome in the mainstream systems of evacuation. Those systems are being run by the Salvation Army, the American Red Cross, and faith-based and government groups, all of which have a history of discriminating against the Gay Community. Host families receiving evacuees from these sources may often not want gay or transgenderpersons in their home, may not allow same-gender couples to share the same bedroom, etc. The "Action Alert!" page at toward equality.org contains details on how gay-friendly people can house GLBT evacuees in their second home, in their guest room, or even on their couch. Some cannot house evacuees and want to give moneybut do not want their money going through these groups which discriminate against GLBT persons and their families. Those wanting to give money to GLBT people specifically or through gay-friendly channels may again go to the "Action Alert!" page at towardequality.org where there is a link to the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force's list of groups to which one may donate in good conscience. Douglas & Corey Marshall-Steele We are looking for safe space for members of our community who may not be welcome in mainstream relief efforts. The network of the Association of Lesbian Intentional Communities is collecting and coordinating offers of rent-free short-term and long-term housing for GLBTQI victims of hurricane Katrina. If you have housing, job leads, etc. available for gay, Lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, queer, andintersexed,people who were displaced by the hurricane, please send details you would like to post about the space available and location. Please include at least an e-mail, but a phone number would be helpful. Mitru Ciarlante 610-657-1542 act4change@comcast.net Letters to Letters should be addressed to Editor, Letters from CAMP Rehoboth, 37 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971. Or e-mail editor@camprehoboth.com. Please include your name and daytime phone number for verification. |
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LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 15, No. 13 September 16, 2005 |