LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
High CAMP |
by Brent Mundt |
Dover Soul
"Come on Dover, move your bloomin' arse!"Eliza Doolitle Poor little Eliza wasn't wanted in proper society. Not unlike the outcast and shunned Miss Doolittle, the Delaware gay community watched its horse fall behind at the legislative equivalent of the legendary Ascot Races in the beloved musical My Fair Lady. For 13 years, brave First State activists have been looking at Dover, pleading for civil liberties to nose ahead in the race. And with leadership of our community and its straight allies, our Doolittle did a lot. Dover, indeed moved its arse. And in so doing, Dover found its soul. You may be oblivious to the drama that unfolded in Delaware last montha drama with a very happy ending that would make any drama queen squeal with delight. Our own CAMP family joined our straight allies and expanded CAMP Rehoboth to CAMP Delaware. According to eye witnesses, it all unfolded complete with a special effects rainbow worthy of Steven Spielberg. With the leadership of state Senator Dave Sokola and our own gay-ally Representative Pete Schwartzkopfand many othersto lead it through the legislative process, Senate Bill 121 finally added sexual orientation to the list of prohibited practices of discrimination in Delaware. The landed aristocracy didn't much like a flower girl like Eliza breathing what they consider their rightful and exclusive rarefied air. And our conservative neighbors didn't much like us asking for our civil rights, so they lined up to take a whack at us for what reportedly seemed like hours. For outcasts who have been vilified and reviled by the right wing, blamed for natural disasters like tornadoes and hurricanes, it could only happen that an eerie clear weather rainbow would bring the heartwarming curtain down on the Dover drama. With expert legislative strategists to lead the charge, all our supportive Governor Jack Markell had to do was get out his signing pen. So, led by Sokola and Schwartzkopf, the "SS Markell" sailed into Rehoboth with a bill to sign. If you don't get a million gay goose bumps knowing that the signing was held in our own CAMP headquarters with cheers and tears, you're neither human nor homo. Two days before Independence Day, the action moved from Dover to CAMP for signing and celebration. As they sing in My Fair Lady: Are there lilac trees in the heart of town? Can you hear a lark in any other part of town? Does enchantment pour out of every door? No, it's just on the street where we live. Yes, indeed, more than 175 folks could have danced all night. Like Eliza, we were finally at the danceand finally incorporated into society. For locals, when the alarm goes off Monday morning and your feet hit the floor, take a moment to look out your window north toward Dover. Remember the men and womengay and straightwho fought discrimination on your behalf. Remember a rainbow that mysteriously appeared, and go to work unafraid that the state will allow bigots to penalize you. For that you can thank CAMP Rehoboth, the ACLU, Delaware Stonewall, Representative Scwhartzkopf, Senator Sokola, Governor Markell, and many others. For you weekend warriors who drive through Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and the District to return home, remember your job isn't done yet. Long ago, My Fair Lady was the talk of the town, and I was, like all seventh graders, remembering my state capitals: ColoradoDenver! ConnecticutHartford! DelawareDover! During the memorizing, I was simultaneously trying to forget that I had a crush on Little Joe Cartwright on Bonanza, and that I wanted my cousin Beth's cheerleading pom poms more than anything in the world. I'd have given anything to be normal. I was so glad that my "disease" was invisible. No one would ever have to know. No one ever would know. The truth hit me later that this wasn't going away. Deep in my soul, I knew there would one day be a world out there that would accept and love me. Dover found its soul just in time to prove me right. While Eliza was reciting "the rain in Spain stays mainly on the plain," her father was taking something for grantedhis second marriage. But if rainbows can appear over the capitol and we can host the governor to sign and celebrate with us, can it really be that long before we can rightfully sing Mr. Doolittle's signature song? I'm getting married in the morning! Ding dong! The bells are gonna chime. Pull out the stopper! Let's have a whopper! But get me to the church on time! To paraphrase My Fair Lady again, Everyone knows by now that in Delaware towns of "Henlopen, Harrington, and Harbeson, homosexuals often happen." And we do tend to pair up. So to quote Eliza once more: Come on Dover, move your bloomin' arse! It's only fair, lady.Brent Mundt makes a living in Washington and a life in Rehoboth Beach. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 19, No. 09 July 17, 2009 |