Connect with us

Delaware

10 Pride month celebrations in Delaware

Visit parades, parties, art shows across the state this June

Published

on

Delaware is celebrating Pride month with an array of events.

As June arrives, the nation is gearing up for a month of Pride celebrations ranging from block parties to parades. The Blade has compiled a list of 10 events that will be held in Delaware this year to help you make the most of Pride month 2022.

June 4: 2022 Delaware Pride Parade. A staple of Pride month each year, Delaware Pride is hosting its annual Pride Parade from 9 to 10 a.m. in Dover, Del., ending at Martin Luther King Blvd S. at its Main Pride Celebration. Local vendors and parade participants are sure to kick off another Pride Month with a fun and memorable celebration.

June 4: 25th Anniversary Delaware Pride Festival. Delaware Pride has invited local comedians, performers, vendors, food trucks and more for its main festivities this Pride Month, held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the State Capitol located at 411 Legislative Ave. in Dover, Del.

June 4: Pride Kids & Youth Cabaret. The Milton Theatre, located at 110 Union St. in Milton, Del., welcomes community members of all ages to a cabaret starting at 2 p.m.

June 8: Milton PRIDE Pre-Party & Art Show. From 6-9 p.m., Inn the Dog House Tiki Bar at 428 Chestnut St. in Milton, Del., is hosting an art show and Pride celebration including local art vendors and handcrafted specialty cocktails.  

June 11: Queer Queens of Comedy. The Milton Theatre is bringing LGBTQ comedians Poppy Champlin, Katie Robinson, Samantha Vega, Tavares Royale and Reih Rogers, for a night of Pride comedy and drag beginning at 8 p.m.  

June 11: 2nd Annual Pride Walk and Festival. Community members in Middletown, Del. will host a Pride festival, including a community walk and an array of local vendors, from 12-5 p.m.  

June 12: Conversations with Caffeine. Delaware Pride welcomes the local LGBTQ community to Panera Bread located at 3650 Kirkwood Highway in Wilmington, Del., for a chance to chat over coffee and snacks from 1-3 p.m.  

June 18: Delaware Pride Bowling. Held the third Saturday of each month, Delaware Pride will host a bowling night from 7-9 p.m. at Bowlerama located at 3031 New Castle Ave in New Castle, Del., and welcomes bowlers of all skill levels.  

June 24: Have A Gay Old Laugh! Pride Stand-Up Comedy Show. The Milton Theatre is welcoming LGBTQ comedians Alejandro Morales, Brandon Jackson, Jess Carpenter and Keith Purnell for a night of laughs beginning at 8 p.m.   

June 25: Pride Day at the Brandywine Zoo. From 10 a.m.-4 p.m. the Brandywine Zoo, located at 1001 N. Park Drive in Wilmington, Del., will host educational events, scavenger hunts, crafts, raffles and more to commemorate Pride month this year.  

Advertisement
FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM
SIGN UP FOR E-BLAST

Delaware

Delaware governor issues executive order creating LGBTQ+ Commission

Body to ‘strengthen ties’ between government and community

Published

on

Delaware Gov. Bethany Hall-Long, center, on Jan. 16, 2025, signed an executive order that created the state's first LGBTQ+ Commission. (Photo courtesy of Sussex Pride)

Delaware Gov. Bethany Hall-Long on Jan. 16 signed and issued an executive order creating a Delaware State LGBTQ+ Commission that she said will hold public forums for the exchange of ideas on the needs of the state’s diverse LGBTQ community.

“The nine-member commission will serve to strengthen ties between the government and LGBTQ+ organizations,” a statement released by the governor’s office says.

The statement adds that the new commission will “help remove barriers to societal participation for LGBTQ+ people and improve the delivery of services to the community in Delaware to areas such as employment, equality, education, and mental health.”

It says that members of the commission will be appointed by the governor and serve without monetary compensation for a three-year term.

According to the statement, the commission members “will represent different facets of the LGBTQ+ community, taking into account age, race, gender, identity, background, life experiences and other factors, and reflect the geographic diversity of the state.”

Hall-Long’s executive order creating the new commission came at a time when she is serving in effect as interim governor for a period of just two weeks. As lieutenant governor, she became governor on Jan. 7 when outgoing Gov. John Carney resigned to take office in his newly elected position of mayor of Wilmington.

Carney, who served two terms as governor, could not run again for that position under Delaware’s term limit law. Democrat Matt Myer won the governor’s election in November and will be sworn in as Delaware’s next governor on Jan. 21, when Hall-Long will step down.

Myer was expected to appoint the commission members in the weeks following his assumption of gubernatorial duties.

“Ultimately, the commission will advise the governor, members of the governor’s Cabinet, members of the General Assembly, and other policymakers on the effect of agency policies, procedures, practices, laws, and administrative rules on the unique challenges and needs of LGBTQ+ people,”  the statement released by Hall-Long’s office says.

“It is truly an honor to bring this commission to fruition, and I am very excited to see the positive changes the commission will make in the lives of our LGBTQ+ neighbors,” Hall-Long said in the statement.

David Mariner, executive director of Sussex Pride, an LGBTQ advocacy group based in Delaware’s Sussex County, which includes Rehoboth Beach, praised the new executive order as an important step in advancing LGBTQ equality.

“It is my hope that through this commission, we can address the critical issues facing LGBTQ Delawareans,” Mariner said in his own statement.

“This includes developing an LGBTQ health report with a tangible roadmap to health equity, increasing collaboration and communication on hate crimes and hate-related activities, and ensuring that nondiscrimination protections, guaranteed by law, are a reality for all of our residents,” he said.

The statement announcing the LGBTQ+ Commission and the full text of the executive order can be accessed here. 

Continue Reading

Delaware

Delaware advocacy group to host panel on media’s role in countering hate

Blade editor among journalists participating in Wednesday event

Published

on

Blade editor Kevin Naff is among journalists participating in a panel discussion on hate this week.

LEWES, Del. — Speak Out Against Hate (SOAH) will hold its bi-monthly community meeting at 5 p.m. on Nov. 13 at the Lewes Library and via Zoom. The meeting will concentrate on the role of the press in responding to the divisiveness and rising tide of hatred in our country and communities. 

The meeting will feature a panel of journalists comprised of Chris Rauch, owner and publisher of the Cape Gazette; Benjamin Rothstein, journalist at the Daily State News and its sister paper the Greater Dover Independent; Kevin Naff, editor and co-owner of the Washington Blade; and Jake Owens, editor-in-chief of Spotlight Delaware.

Patty Maloney, president of SOAH said, “Following a national and state elections that saw our country nearly evenly divided, this important discussion with our local press will shine a light upon the role of the press locally and nationally in confronting the obvious chasm within our citizenry.”

For more information about the event and to register, please visit Speak Out Against Hate at soah-de.org.

Speak Out Against Hate was formed to confront and counter the rising tide of hate, whenever and wherever it exists.

Continue Reading

Delaware

Comings & Goings

Owners win top honors from Delaware Restaurant Association

Published

on

Bob Suppies, David Gonce, Tyler Townsend, and Lion Gardner of Second Street Hospitality.

The Comings & Goings column is about sharing the professional successes of our community. We want to recognize those landing new jobs, new clients for their business, joining boards of organizations and other achievements. Please share your successes with us at [email protected]

The Comings & Goings column also invites LGBTQ college students to share their successes with us. If you have been elected to a student government position, gotten an exciting internship, or are graduating and beginning your career with a great job, let us know so we can share your success. 

Congratulations to Second Block Hospitality, winners of the Delaware Restaurant Association’s designation as Restaurateurs of the Year. This award was won by business partners Lion Gardner, David Gonce, Tyler Townsend, and Bob Suppies, whose Second Block Hospitality restaurants include Bodhi Kitchen, The Pines, and Drift, all in Rehoboth Beach, Del.

“The partners of Second Block Hospitality, each bring unique expertise from diverse business backgrounds, and have successfully united to create a flourishing restaurant group in downtown Rehoboth Beach. Their first venture, The Pines, was inspired by the rich history and hospitality of old Rehoboth Beach, where pine trees meet the ocean. Their newest ventures, Drift Seafood & Raw Bar, and Bodhi Kitchen, showcase sophisticated seafood and Asian-inspired street food, earning awards, accolades, and features in top regional publications. Driven by a mission of hospitality, innovation, and community, the team exemplifies the qualities honored by the Restaurateurs of the Year Award, celebrating their passion, diversity, and creativity in Delaware’s dining scene.”

Townsend said, “The entire team at Second Block Hospitality is thrilled to have won Restaurateurs of the Year. Since 2018, we have worked hard to bring the very best in dining, cocktails, entertainment, and décor.” 

Suppies added, “Yes, winning this award truly validates we are on the right path to keep bringing innovative design paired with amazing food and drinks. More is coming from Second Block for sure.”

Continue Reading
Advertisement World Pride Guide
Advertisement
Advertisement

Sign Up for Weekly E-Blast

Follow Us @washblade

Advertisement

Popular