As seems to always be the case, the summer season is moving way too fast, and I can’t believe the July 4th weekend has already come and gone! In what has become a July 4th tradition, the men of 6 Futcher Drive outdid themselves with their annual Pool Party. This year’s M*A*S*H Bash event was a huge success, with around 750 partygoers and an amazing $11,000 donation to CAMP Rehoboth. There is a photo of all the party hosts in the In Brief section of this issue. Thanks guys, for your support! Thanks too, to Chris Beagle and his team of CAMP volunteers—and to Devotion Vodka for sponsoring the event.
With the Supreme Court marriage ruling still on our minds, the members of the Equality Delaware Board of Directors met recently to discuss the next steps for the organization. We all agreed that even though the victory is significant for us, the backlash will ensure that our work is not yet done. Across the country, staunch opponents of same-sex marriage and LGBT rights in general are stirred up almost as much as the Confederate flag wavers in the south—only these guys are waving a discrimination flag in the guise of religious freedom legislation.
A new program for CAMP Rehoboth called TRANSmission—a partnership with Unfinished Business Thrift Shop—has been created to serve the transgender community of Southern Delaware. The program is designed to help individuals navigate the physical changes the body goes through as a part of the transitioning process, by providing wardrobe assistance. Registration for the program is through CAMP Rehoboth. Contact Sal Seeley for information or to register for the program. A big word of thanks goes out to Sal for his continuing efforts on behalf of all the diverse people who make up the LGBT family—and to Lynn Maloy of Unfinished Business and CAMP Rehoboth Board member Kathy Wiz for their work on this project.
July is always our month to finalize the long list of Sundance Sponsors, Supporters, and Hosts. In his CAMPmatters column Murray writes about all the people who are a part of the Sundance story—auction donors, volunteers, and of course, Sponsors, Supporters, and Hosts. Now is the time to sign up, so don’t delay. Call or come by the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center office, or simply go to our website and do it all online. Sundance 2015: The Super Magic Rainbow Glitter Ball is September 5 and 6 at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center.
The cover of this issue of Letters features the very talented men of Well-Strung—the singing string quartet. Well-Strung is returning to Rehoboth Beach on July 25 for a one night only benefit concert for CAMP Rehoboth at the Convention Center. Pushing them into the limelight in recent weeks is their video supporting Hillary Clinton titled Chelsea’s Mom. These guys are great musicians—and not bad to look at either! By the way, that doesn’t mean this concert is just for the men. It’s a great show for our whole community L, G, B, T, straight, allies, family, and gender fluid! Summer Lovin’ is an all new show. Tickets are going fast and may be purchased on the CAMP Rehoboth website.
Throughout the year, we continue to celebrate CAMP Rehoboth’s 25th Anniversary, and big plans are underway for our Silverbration Celebration Weekend, October 9-11. A fantastic Silver Gala is planned for the Friday night of that weekend, and on Sunday we’re having a huge Block Party on Baltimore Avenue. Public ticket sales begin on September 5. For information on becoming a sponsor of the event, contact me. Information for Block Party vendors will be available by the end of July. I know it’s hard to focus on this in the middle of the summer season, put please make plans to join us for this sterling Silver Weekend.