LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Delaware Liberty Fund Dinner with Tallulah |
by Kelli Steele |
"Obviously Jesus does love gays," said Suzanne Long, Vice President of the Delaware Liberty Fund. Long made her comment during a gala fundraiser held on the evening of Saturday, August 5th to benefit the Delaware Liberty Fund, the state's only GLBT political action committee. "Number one, the weather is fabulous for tonight's event; obviously Jesus does love gays because last night at this time it was raining cats and dogs. Second, I'm totally thrilled about tonight. The event is a complete success; the people are having a wonderful time, the food is great and we sold all the tickets," said Long. The gala fundraiser was held at the former Henlopen Acres home shared by actress Tallulah Bankhead and Louisa Dupont Carpenter. David and Suzanne Squires who graciously hosted the event now own the home. "We just wanted to contribute to the DLF because it's the basis for Delaware's human rights campaign and we wanted to host and be supportive of the community," said David Squires. He continued by saying, "I'm a Republican and the Delaware Liberty Fund is bipartisan and I strongly believe that the Republicans and the Democrats need to work together not only on gay rights issues but all issues." Making an appearance at the fundraiser was Tallulah Bankhead, a.k.a. Harry Rees from Newark, Delaware. "I was asked to be here tonight by the DLF just to add a little spice to the evening since this is Tallulah's old house," said Rees. "I'm also here to support the cause," he added. Dressed like Tallulah in her 1944 movie "Lifeboat", Rees told me that, "Tallulah was a rebel who drank a lot and who loved to be naked at her parties but rest assured that won't be happening tonight." The Delaware Liberty Fund seeks to survey candidates in Delaware political races, endorse those who support equal and civil rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons, announce these candidates in a voter guide, and make financial contributions to their campaigns. The organization is trying to raise $15,000 this year and is already 95% there according to Lisa Oursler, DLF President. "We raised $6000 from tonight's event alone and I think we have really brought a lot of folks together from different parts of Delaware, which is very important to us since we try to remain non-partisan," said Oursler. The Delaware Liberty Fund continues to plan events prior to November's general election. The organization will probably hold another fundraiser in October in Wilmington and a meet the candidates forum has already been planned for September 17th at the community service Building on Delaware Avenue in Wilmington. Any and all candidates running for office in Delaware are invited. For more information on the Delaware Liberty Fund, call 302-633-6635 |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 10, No. 11, Aug. 11, 2000. |