This is the LGBTQ Pride Issue of Letters from CAMP Rehoboth. Pride is celebrated in June because the Stonewall riots occurred on June 28, 1969 when the patrons of the Stonewall Inn in New York’s Greenwich Village fought back against a police raid. It is considered to be the start of the modern day LGBTQ rights movement. Though Pride is generally celebrated in the month of June, there are exceptions—including Delaware Pride on August 8 in Dover. Philadelphia Pride is June 8-18; NYC, June 14-24; DC, June 7-10; Baltimore, June 16-17. Our Pride feature on page 84 is an original short story by Letters columnist and author Stefani Deoul titled June 28th. To say much more about it might spoil the ending. It’s moving, surprising, and good preparation for June 28. ▽
In the days before this issue was published, CAMP Rehoboth joined with Equality Delaware and Delaware ACLU to very strongly oppose the proposed revisions to Regulation 225, meant to protect Delaware students from discrimination in all educational programs and extracurricular activities, and to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for them. We strongly urge the Department of Education to rescind the revisions. While the language of Regulation 225 seems to create some confusion, it is clear that there are several reasons why we cannot support it in its present state. The proposed revisions require permission from parents before a school will recognize a change in any protected characteristic—outing children from unsupportive homes. They delete the requirement that students are given the opportunity to participate in sports in a manner consistent with their gender identity. They eliminate the creation of a model policy meant to guide schools in shaping their own policies. See more about Regulation 225 on the next page. ▽
Listen up, this is new! Labor Day weekend we will celebrate Sundance for the 31st time—that’s not the new part. As is our custom, the Saturday night of Labor Day weekend (Saturday, September 1) is the Sundance Auction, and the following Sunday night (Sunday, September 2) is the dance. Our change comes on the night of the dance, and in truth is more of an addition than a change. This year, the doors will open a little earlier than usual for an all new Sundance Disco Twilight Tea from 7-9:45 p.m. featuring legendary Studio 54 and Saint DJ Robbie Leslie. Sundance headliner Joe Gauthreaux will follow as usual, and the music never stops. Come early, stay late—a dance ticket is good for the entire night. Please take time to sign up to be a Host, Supporter, or Sponsor of Sundance 2018 right now. All ticket levels are on sale now. Call CAMP Rehoboth or signup today online. ▽
Over the decades that my husband was Executive Director of CAMP Rehoboth, he built strong connections with our city police and the park police at Cape Henlopen State Park by conducting diversity training sessions with the officers. In recent years Fay Jacobs assisted him with those sessions. At the 2018 Cape Henlopen Park Police training, Fay carried on the tradition alone as I was not available. Reporting on the session, Fay expressed optimism for the level of engagement she received from the young officers present this year. “They were concerned about addressing transgender men and women in a respectful manner…. They wanted to make sure they could serve our community well.” For more about this year’s training session, see Fay’s CAMP Out column. ▽
National HIV Testing Day is June 27, and our CAMP Rehoboth Health team will be on site all day—from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.—to offer free HIV tests. Appointments are not necessary and testing only takes 10-15 minutes. For more information on National Testing Day at CAMP Rehoboth email Salvatore Seeley. In the coming weeks CAMP Rehoboth will launch a new LGBTQ Health Services Providers addition to our website to make finding a doctor in our area an easier process. Watch for details about this and other CAMP Rehoboth health related services and programs. ▽
Looking ahead, Skivvies and Gay Men’s Chorus Cabaret tickets are on sale now, and check out the information in the CAMP News section on Tom Wilson Weinberg’s performance at CAMP Rehoboth on Friday, July 13. Tom is a musical theater composer and cabaret performer. Purchase tickets for any of these events. ▽