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June 14, 2019 - President's View by Chris Beagle

I Love a Parade!

At seven o’clock, on the morning of June 1, an enthusiastic group of 25 CAMP Rehoboth members and supporters set out for the state capital, Dover, to participate in Delaware’s first-ever Pride Parade.

Particularly poignant about this being the state’s inaugural parade to celebrate LGBTQ pride is that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. Widely recognized as the galvanizing event that catapulted the gay rights movement in the US, Stonewall occurred simply because a group of people decided to no longer be repressed for celebrating who they are.

One of the positive outcomes from Stonewall is the annual tradition of celebrating pride during the month of June. And, similar to the many celebrations to be held across the country and around the world during the month, the organizers of Delaware Pride worked hard to ensure that the First State can be proud of its first parade efforts as well.

In part, this is why it will come as no surprise to virtually anyone who knows me even fairly well, that this parade lover was determined to see CAMP Rehoboth have a presence in this important and historic event.

Given our brigade of Jeeps in every color of the rainbow, escorting several of Rehoboth’s finest drag queens, with the remaining crew engaging the crowd in an electric manner, we were covered in the local news and on the pages of multiple newspapers. We showed up. Our presence was known. Our mission accomplished. And we had a blast doing it. Thanks also to the Jeep owners who offered their time and vehicles, to I.G. Burton for making our rainbow complete with the use of a brand new orange Jeep, and to all those who marched with us.

CAMP Rehoboth was also represented at the Pride Festival by Health and Wellness Director, Sal Seeley, staffing a popular outreach booth, and by the CAMP Rehoboth Chorus, who received a warm ovation after performing on stage. Thanks to Sal, chorus director Doug Yetter, and to the chorus members who sang…all of whom represented CAMP Rehoboth well and made us proud!

Next year’s Delaware Pride Festival has already been set for June 6, so save the date and stay tuned fellow CAMPers. We have plenty of time to plan!

Shortly after our return home, an onslaught of social media posts commenced. Many accolades and emotions were expressed.  But I was particularly struck by the impact the event had on one of our very own, Fancie P. Charmington.

On Facebook she wrote, “Today was one of the most special days of my life. It was an honor to represent CAMP Rehoboth and Rehoboth Beach in the first ever Delaware Pride Parade.” Fancie went on to explain that most meaningful to her was the presence of “so many young people who are living their truth, a few were in tears as they greeted us and said hello. I have never experienced such joy and am forever humbled.”

If that isn’t the definition of pride, I don’t know what is. Happy Pride to ALL! ▼

Chris Beagle is President of the CAMP Rehoboth Board of Directors and a realtor at Berkshire-Hathaway-Gallo Realty in Rehoboth Beach.

‹ June 14, 2019 - Out & About by Eric C. Peterson up June 14, 2019 - The Real Dirt by Eric W. Wahl ›

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 12, 2019 - Issue Index
  • June 28, 2019 - Issue Index
  • June 14, 2019 - Issue Index
    • June 14, 2019 - Cover-to-cover with ISSUU
    • June 14, 2019 - In Brief
    • June 14, 2019 - The Way I See It by Murray Archibald
    • June 14, 2019 - CAMP Matters by Murray Archibald
    • June 14, 2019 - CAMP Out by Fay Jacobs
    • June 14, 2019 - CAMP News
    • June 14, 2019 - CAMP Rehoboth Needs You
    • June 14, 2019 - All in the Family by Doug Yetter
    • June 14, 2019 - Laura Linney
    • June 14, 2019 - Out & About by Eric C. Peterson
    • June 14, 2019 - President's View by Chris Beagle
    • June 14, 2019 - The Real Dirt by Eric W. Wahl
    • June 14, 2019 - It's My Life by Michael Thomas Ford
    • June 14, 2019 - CAMP Critters
    • June 14, 2019 - Eating OUT by Fay Jacobs
    • June 14, 2019 - Health and Wellness by Marj Shannon
    • June 14, 2019 - CAMP Stories by Rich Barnett
    • June 14, 2019 - CAMP Cheers!
    • June 14, 2019 - Intentionally Inclusive by Wesley Combs
    • June 14, 2019 - Out & Proud by Stefani Deoul
    • June 14, 2019 - CAMPshots Gallery 1
    • June 14, 2019 - CAMPshots Gallery 2
    • June 14, 2019 - CAMPshots Gallery 3
    • June 14, 2019 - Straight Talk by David Garrett
    • June 14, 2019 - CAMP Arts by Doug Yetter
    • June 14, 2019 - Booked Solid by Terri Schlichenmeyer
    • June 14, 2019 - CAMP Dates - June 14- July 5
  • 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

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