On Sunday of Memorial weekend, the CAMP Rrehoboth Community Center was the site for a discussion by U.S. Senator Chris Coons focused on the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). The event was hosted by CAMP Rehoboth, Equality Delaware, and HRC. Senator Coons is a passionate supporter of the move to repeal DOMA. “It is time,” he says, “to make clear that it is not the policy of the government of the United States of America to discriminate against its citizens on the basis of their sexual orientation.” He believes passionately that discrimination because of who we love is a terrible injustice. Joining me for the discussion was Equality Delaware President Lisa Goodman, and Mike Clement of the Human Rights Campaign. With the recent passage of the Delaware Civil Union Act, there is a definite feeling of optimism in the air, and it was a real pleasure to hear from one of our great supporters in Congress.
On a state level, the work of Equality Delaware has not ended with the passage of the Civil Union Act, as there is still much work to be done, especially in the area of gender identity. With all the success we’ve had with the Hate Crimes, Non-Discrimination, and Civil Union legislation, transgendered people have still not received the rights they need and deserve. Equality Delaware is committed to doing the work it will take to achieve full equality for all LGB and T.
Shortly after the passage of the Civil Union Act, i mentioned that CAMP Rehoboth was working on a guide to Delaware Civil Unions. We are being joined in the effort by our friends at Equality Delaware and are planning to have the guide ready in the early fall of this year. Hopefully the guide will answer any questions, legal or otherwise, that might arise concerning Civil Unions in our state. Meanwhile reserve your space and we will CU@CAMP Rehoboth!
The Summer CAMP Beach House Challenge is back. The Summer CAMP Challenge is a light-hearted competition between beach houses in the area. Participating houses get points over the course of the summer by: raising money, becoming members of CAMP Rehoboth, attending events, and volunteering for CAMP Rehoboth and other community projects. Summer CAMP chair Chris Beagle and his team of “CAMP Counselors” are looking to make this season even more fun than the last.
When summer CAMP meets Love 2011, we’ve got fireworks all the way! Don’t miss The Boys of Summer, Love Bachelor Auction at Aqua on Saturday, June 18. Participating beach houses will enter their favorite “bachelor,” and the higher the bid, the more points they win in the challenge. High bidders win a dinner with the bachelor and a VIP Love Ticket Package. There’s no cover (though donations are always welcome), prizes, and a 50/50 raffle, so come and enjoy the best “reality” show of the summer—the real beach house boys of Rehoboth!
Love 2011—July 4th weekend—is our “biggest dance weekend of the summer!” This year’s mega-dance parties include Red Love, Blue Love, and our new Lady Love Tea Dance. With fantastic DJs, lights and sound, we can all dance our way through the holiday weekend! Don’t miss the fun! Purchase tickets online or by calling the CAMP Rehoboth office at 302-227-5620.
Recently, Brian Russo of NPR’s WAMU 88.5 interviewed Murray and me about CAMP Rehoboth and about what Civil Unions mean to us. We both enjoyed the conversation with Brian, and it made us think about all the benefits that Civil Unions will bring, not just to us, but to the economy as well. This is an exciting time for us and for the many couples in our area. Here is a link to the NPR interview.