This year, Coastal Delaware celebrates Pride for the month of June. This month coincides with the momentous Stonewall riots in June of 1969, the catalyst for the gay rights movement. As 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of Stonewall in NYC, Southern Delaware has joined much of America in celebrating the LGBTQ+ community throughout Pride month.
Additionally, CAMP (“Creating a More Positive”) Rehoboth will celebrate CAMP Families Pride Weekend on June 28 – 30. This weekend features family-oriented fun like boat rides, bonfires, and a Parents Night Out with complementary babysitting available with the YMCA. One week prior on June 22, CAMP Rehoboth will host “Voices from Stonewall,” a theatrical retelling of the riots.
Co-founder of the Mattachine Society, one of the earliest gay activist groups, in the 1960s and the Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance, Paul Kuntzler was honored with the LGBTQ Rights Pioneer Award by the Delaware Stonewall PAC on June 8. Elected officials like Senator Chris Coons were present.
Rehoboth Beach in particular is distinguished for being one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly destinations on the east coast. While still a family town, Rehoboth has welcomed individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or are under the queer umbrella for the past several decades.
Organizations like CAMP Rehoboth have been instrumental in cultivating that acceptance and community for LGBTQ+ members. It provides programs centering on health, advocacy, and publishes their Letters from CAMP Rehoboth magazine.Written by: Matty Brown
June 20, 2019
