Queering Rehoboth Beach: Beyond the Boardwalk

by James T. Sears

“Create a More Positive Rehoboth” was a decades-long goal for progress and inclusiveness in a charming beach town in southern Delaware. Rehoboth, which was established in the 19th century as a Methodist Church meeting camp, has, over time, become a thriving mecca for the LGBTQ+ community. In Queering Rehoboth Beach, historian and educator James Sears charts this significant evolution.Sears draws upon extensive oral history accounts, archival material, and personal narratives to chronicle “the Battle for Rehoboth,” which unfolded in the late 20th century, as conservative town leaders and homeowners opposed progressive entrepreneurs and gay activists. He recounts not just the emergence of the gay and lesbian bars, dance clubs, and organizations that drew the queer community to the region, but also the efforts of local politicians and homeowners, among other groups who fought to develop and protect the traditional identity of this beach town. Moreover, issues of race, class, and gender and sexuality informed opinions as residents and visitors struggled with the AIDS crisis and the legacy of Jim Crow.Queering Rehoboth Beach is more than just an inspiring story about a community’s resilience and determination to establish a safe space for itself in the wake of the era of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. It is also a terrific beach read.

Genres: History

342 pages, Paperback

First published May 24, 2024

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exhaustive in detail, but excellent documentation of the people, groups, and the political, economic, and emotional climate in Rehoboth Beach as the community developed over the years to become a "place for all".

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of how Rehoboth Beach became Delaware's big gay vacation destination, based primarily on oral history interviews with some very interesting people. Heavy focus on the Boomer generation, but the 1970s-1990s were also the peak decades of change. Academic yet accessible to the average reader.

Also recommended: Salty Aftertaste by Jason Lloyd, a very funny account of a wild time in Rehoboth Beach.