LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
SPEAK Out |
Iranian President Ahmadinejad's recent statement that Iran has no homosexuals was so ludicrous as to elicit widespread laughter in his Columbia University audience. Lacking Ahmadinejad's anti-gay agenda, these collegians are aware that homosexuality is not a western construct. Indeed, scholars have found that the percentage of homosexuals over the last five millennia and in every culture, no matter how persecutive, is consistent: something under 10%. (See for example Chandler Burr, "A Separate Creation.") Of course Ahmadinejad might want to believe there are no homosexuals in Iran, where homosexuality is actually a capital offense. Similarly, right wing extremists right here in Delaware have no room in their perfect world for gay and transgender persons, and thus oppose the most basic civil rights for us. Sneering at the 69% of Delawareans polling in favor (Hickman-Brown, 2002) and Jack Markell's 2007 petition containing over 900 signatories, Dixiecrats in the Delaware senate have prevented S.B. 141 and all previous equality legislation. Do our Delaware lawmakers really want to align themselves with President Ahmadinejad's mindset? Towards equality, Douglas Marshall-Steele On behalf of Delaware Pride, thank you for helping to make the eleventh annual Delaware Pride festival a great success! Without the generous support of individuals, organizations, vendors, entertainers, volunteers, and the local GLBT community and its allies, this year's Delaware Pride Festival, held on September 15 in Rehoboth Beach, would not have been such a wonderful event for the our community. Also, we extend much gratitude to this year's Equality Sponsors: CAMP Rehoboth Community Center, Diamond State Financial Group, ID Lube, and Safeway. We're already looking forward to next year's festival! If you would like to become involved in Delaware Pride or learn more about the organization, please visit our www.delawarepride.org. Gene Edmund President, Delaware Pride |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 17, No. 14 October 12, 2007 |