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Rehoboth Pride celebrates third year amid drag brunch controversy

Festival raised $1,500 for LGBTQ unhoused youth

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Rehoboth Beach Pride Festival took place July 19 at the convention center. (Blade photo by Daniel Truitt)

The Rehoboth Beach Pride Festival took place July 19 at the convention center, followed by an after-party at Freddie’s Beach Bar and a ticketed event in the evening with a film screening, comedian, and musician.  

David Mariner, executive director of Sussex Pride, said the festival was a wonderful day with between 1,500 and 2,000 attendees. Sixty vendors set up shop and five workshops were hosted on pertinent topics related to the LGBTQ community. 

Mariner said the atmosphere was celebratory, but that the situation at Goolee’s Grille added an “air of significance.” He and hundreds of others got up the next day to attend a counter-protest to support the local restaurant, which had become the target of a church group’s plans to protest the monthly drag brunch event. The protesters did not turn up, but the LGBTQ community did. 

Protesters of a drag brunch in Rehoboth cancelled their event on Sunday but hundreds of counter-protesters showed up instead. (Blade photo by Daniel Truitt)

“We are … a strong group of people that find joy where we can find joy so I don’t think that we’re often deterred from that,” Mariner said. “But if anything, [the festival] just gave us a greater appreciation for what we have in Delaware and determination to support the community that we have and we really saw that with everyone coming out in full force for Goolee’s the following day.”

He said $1,250 was raised from the festival raffle, compared to last year’s $1000. That number is being rounded up to $1,500 to be donated to homeless LGBTQ youth, according to Mariner. 

Three organizations will each receive $500: West End Neighborhood House, the Housing Safeguard Committee of PFLAG Wilmington, and Housing Alliance Delaware

Mariner hopes next year, Rehoboth Pride becomes even more of a weekend destination. He loves the fact that the festival is supporting local businesses like the bars and restaurants that are here for the community every day of the year. 

Rehoboth Beach Pride 2026 is already set for July 15 to 19, with the festival on the 18th. 

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Rehoboth Beach

BLUF leather social set for April 10 in Rehoboth

Attendees encouraged to wear appropriate gear

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Diego’s in Rehoboth Beach will host a BLUF leather social on Friday, April 10 at 5 p.m. (Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Diego’s in Rehoboth Beach hosts a monthly leather happy hour. April’s edition is scheduled for Friday, April 10, 5-7 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to wear appropriate gear. The event is billed as an official event of BLUF, the free community group for men interested in leather. After happy hour, the attendees are encouraged to reconvene at Local Bootlegging Company for dinner, which allows cigar smoking. There’s no cover charge for either event.

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Rehoboth Beach

Women’s FEST returns to Rehoboth Beach next week

Golf tournament, mini-concerts, meetups planned for silver anniversary festival

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(Washington Blade file photo by Daniel Truitt)

Women’s+ FEST 2026 will begin on Thursday, April 9 at CAMP Rehoboth Community Center.

The festival will celebrate a remarkable milestone in 2026: its silver anniversary. For 25 years, Women’s+ FEST has brought fun and entertainment for all those on the spectrum of the feminine spirit. There will be a variety of events including a golf tournament, mini-concerts and happy hour meetups.

For more information, visit Camp Rehoboth’s website.

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Rehoboth Beach

CAMP Rehoboth hires new executive director

Dr. Robin Brennan’s background includes healthcare, fundraising roles

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Dr. Robin Brennan

CAMP Rehoboth, the Delaware LGBTQ community center, on Monday announced Dr. Robin Brennan as the organization’s new executive director.  

Brennan, who is relocating full time to Rehoboth Beach with her wife and daughter, will start on March 23. The position opened up following the retirement of Kim Leisey after more than two years in the role.

Brennan’s background is in health systems. At Nemours Children’s Health in Wilmington, Del., she held senior roles in evaluation, population health, and DEI education, according to a CAMP Rehoboth statement. Most recently, she served as vice president and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Redeemer Health. Brennan is an experienced fundraiser, according to the statement.

“After conducting a comprehensive national search, the Board of Directors selected Robin because of her depth of leadership experience, her fundraising acumen and her overall joyful, focused approach,” said Leslie Ledogar, president of the CAMP Rehoboth board of directors and chair of the Executive Director Search Committee. “The fact that core to her leadership is her belief that community well-being is inseparable from access to health, culture, education and the arts – an approach that mirrors CAMP Rehoboth’s holistic mission – makes Robin the exact next person to lead CAMP Rehoboth today and into the future.” 

“I am deeply honored to serve as CAMP Rehoboth’s executive director as we enter an exciting new chapter,” said Brennan. “I was drawn to CAMP Rehoboth because of its unwavering mission, deep roots in the community, and the meaningful role it plays in bringing people together. I look forward to meeting members of the community, listening to their stories, and building meaningful relationships with the many people who make CAMP Rehoboth such a vital community anchor.”

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