• Letters from CAMP Rehoboth
    • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
    • Advertising Information
    • Where Can I Get Letters?
    • The Write Stuff
  • Events
    • SUNFESTIVAL 2023
    • Women's FEST
    • Pride Month Listicle 
    • CAMP Rehoboth Chorus - Out for the Summer!
    • Block Party 2023
  • Programs
    • Arts & Culture
    • Education & Advocacy
    • Health & Wellness
    • Community Building
    • CAMP Facilities
  • About Us
    • Membership
    • Volunteers
    • Board of Directors
    • CAMP Rehoboth Staff
    • Reports and Financials
    • History
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Press
  • Resources
    • Beach Guide Directory
    • LGBTQ Resources
    • LGBTQ Providers
    • LGBTQ Delaware Data
    • Trans & Nonbinary Resources
    • BIPOC LGBTQ Resources
    • LGBTQ Local and National Resources Guide
  • Contact
  • Shop
close× Call Us 302-227-5620
close×

Search form

July 26, 2019 - CAMP Out by Fay Jacobs

The Torch Is Passing (and that’s a great thing!)

Fay JacobsMany, many years ago, when I was only a few years out of the American University Theatre Department, my friend Kathy and I went back there to see a show. Kathy had been a starring character actress her entire four years at school and was one of the most recognizable and beloved figures on campus.

She was a big girl, with a delightfully rubbery face she could contort into any expression imaginable. Her booming voice and impeccable comic timing were unmatched.

When we went back, of course, we saw all these new young faces and nobody knew us. Not only was it sobering, but after the show when we went to “our” backstage to congratulate the actors, we were perceived as nobodies and interlopers.

At one point, someone addressed Kathy, saying “Excuse me, do I know you?”

She stood tall, threw her shoulders back and in a booming, classic Bea Arthur (or Tallulah Bankhead) voice barked, “Do…You…Know…Who…I…Used…To…Be?”

I was reminded of that moment recently on the patio at Blue Coast restaurant, where we went to hear the duo Bettenroo entertain. As the music rocked, the place filled up with dozens of women, many appearing to be years or even decades younger than me. Yes, I knew a smattering of the women there, maybe 15 percent, but the rest were new, happy faces.

Some were weekend visitors from DC or Philly, staying with friends; I spoke with gals who’d recently purchased second homes here, just as we had done 25 years ago. Some women had just retired and were moving here full time.

Let’s face it, many of us remember when we’d gather at the old Cloud 9 or the Renegade and know absolutely every lesbian in the room. Clearly, for me, those days are long gone—and that’s a positively joyous thing.

It’s fabulous to see a new wave of women (and men) populating the Rehoboth area, partying like crazy as we did, and picking up the torch to continue Rehoboth’s hard-fought reputation as a place with room for all.

And for many readers, my next sentence is predictable. Along with my hearty welcome to the newcomers (and those I’m just meeting who have been here a while), I’m making the ask: please join CAMP Rehoboth.

Just a basic membership will do. But, whether you feel you need CAMP Rehoboth’s programs or not, whether you ever visit the community center or not, whether you have no idea what CAMP Rehoboth really does or not, I urge you to become a member. It’s well established that CAMP Rehoboth made this town the haven it is for the queer community (and yes, I am getting comfortable with the word queer to describe us), and you probably would not even be here without the work CAMP Rehoboth did and continues to do.

And as we all know, despite the fantastic Pride month we experienced in June, the work is not over.

So, I urge folks who are not now members of CAMP Rehoboth to go online to camprehoboth.com and join up. You can even do it in recognition of “Fay Being Old.”

Yes, I’m embracing the fact that I’m over the hill. In fact, there used to be a Letters column called “Gay and Gray.” Well, I can’t turn “CAMPout” into that one, as I have just dyed my hair blond and I’d rather put a fork in my eye than ever see my natural hair color.

But even as I encourage CAMP Rehoboth membership in the name of my being old, headed for ancient, I have to let you know that things haven’t changed all that much.

On that July 4th weekend night at Bluecoast, my wife and I started with Watermelon Crush Cocktails and Bettenroo; moved on to Diego’s, with more cocktails, to listen to a fantastic singer Darryl and Joe brought in from Puerto Vallarta; then dined at Confucius at 8:30; stuck our heads into the Parrot Biergarten; walked around a bustling downtown; ran into lots of folks we did know; and got back home very close to Cinderella’s curfew.

I ain’t down yet. But I am thrilled to be welcoming the new wave, and have confidence that when I finally have to utter “Do you know who I used to be?” our gay community will be alive, well, and thriving like always.

Anybody have a recipe for a chocolate martini made with Boost? ▼

Fay Jacobs is an author of five published memoirs. Her newest is Fried & Convicted: Rehoboth Beach Uncorked. As a humorist, she’s touring with her show Aging Gracelessly: 50 Shades of Fay. 

‹ July 26, 2019 - CAMPmatters by Murray Archibald up July 26, 2019 - CAMP News ›

Past Issues

Issues Index

  • November 15, 2019 - Issue Index
  • October 18, 2019 - Issue Index
  • September 20, 2019 - Issue Index
  • August 23, 2019 - Issue Index
  • August 9, 2019 - Issue Index
  • July 26, 2019 - Issue Index
    • July 26, 2019 - Cover-to-cover with ISSUU
    • July 26, 2019 - The Way I See It by Murray Archibald
    • July 26, 2019 - In Brief
    • July 26, 2019 - CAMPmatters by Murray Archibald
    • July 26, 2019 - CAMP Out by Fay Jacobs
    • July 26, 2019 - CAMP News
    • July 26, 2019 - Sundance!
    • July 26, 2019 - CAMP Insight by Glen Pruitt
    • July 26, 2019 - CAMP Stories by Rich Barnett
    • July 26, 2019 - It's My Life by Michael Thomas Ford
    • July 26, 2019 - Intentionally Inclusive by Wesley Combs
    • July 26, 2019 - Local Heroes
    • July 26, 2019 - President's View by Chris Beagle
    • July 26, 2019 - Candidate Statements
    • July 26, 2019 - Community News
    • July 26, 2019 - CAMP Cheers!
    • July 26, 2019 - Sporty Gals by Anita Pettitt
    • July 26, 2019 - Heroes at Work by Michael Gilles
    • July 26, 2019 - Out & Proud by Stefani Deoul
    • July 26, 2019 - We Remember
    • July 26, 2019 - Health and Wellness by Marj Shannon
    • July 26, 2019 - Historical Headliners by Ann Aptaker
    • July 26 2019 - CAMPshots Gallery 3
    • July 26 2019 - CAMPshots Gallery 4
    • July 26, 2019 - CAMPshots Gallery 1
    • July 26, 2019 - CAMPshots Gallery 2
    • July 26, 2019 - The Real Dirt by Eric W. Wahl
    • July 26, 2019 - CAMP Critters
    • July 26, 2019 - Out & About by Eric C. Peterson
    • July 26, 2019 - CAMP Arts by Doug Yetter
    • July 26, 2019 - Booked Solid by Terri Schlichenmeyer
    • July 26, 2019 - CAMP Dates - July 26- August 11
  • July 12, 2019 - Issue Index
  • June 28, 2019 - Issue Index
  • June 14, 2019 - Issue Index
  • May 31, 2019 - Issue Index
  • May 17, 2019 - Issue Index
  • May 3, 2019 - Issue Index
  • April 12, 2019 - Issue Index
  • March 8, 2019 - Issue Index
  • February 8, 2019 - Issue Index

Follow Us

Follow us on Social Media!

RECEIVE WEEKLY EMAIL

Information

  • Letters
  • Events
  • About Us
  • CAMP Center

Support CAMP

  • CAMP Membership
  • Volunteer
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
Copyright © CAMP Rehoboth, 2023
  • p. 302-227-5620
  • info@camprehoboth.com
  • 37 Baltimore Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971