Overall, it was a whirlwind trip and the weather could have been much, much better. None the less, we had a great time and were also able to catch up with longtime friends of mine - who it turns out are getting married in Washington, D.C., this week for both romantic and pragmatic reasons. Their situation is a perfect example of why civil marriage rights for same sex couples is so necessary. Here's how the story goes:*
A's former employer provided domestic partner benefits so A had B - who has been his partner for 18 years - on his health coverage through his employer. A's company was bought out by another company which only gives such health coverage benefits to "married" couples married in either their home state or the state where they are employed. As a result of not being "married", B lost his coverage and had to go on COBRA for inferior coverage at a far higher premium. By getting legally married in DC, where A works, B can again be fully covered by A's company benefits.
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Getting back to the weekend, for a small historic resort area, Rehoboth has great restaurants and equally great gay and gay friendly clubs. Saturday night we went to three different bars/clubs and they were all in less than a 10 block radius. Besides being gay friendly - something that the Virginia Beach resort area is decidedly not, Rehoboth has so many fewer "tourist trap" stores that all sell the exact same junk that few refined travelers would want to buy. If Virginia Beach had any sense, a part of the resort strip would be set aside to cultivate gay travelers.
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In any event, we are going back to Rehoboth Beach for the July 4th weekend and looking forward to seeing the place in summer with the benefit of locals to show us around and give us a place to stay. It should be fun. Oh, did I mention that the place was originally founded in the 1800's to be a "Christian beach resort?" Things have certainly changed.
A's former employer provided domestic partner benefits so A had B - who has been his partner for 18 years - on his health coverage through his employer. A's company was bought out by another company which only gives such health coverage benefits to "married" couples married in either their home state or the state where they are employed. As a result of not being "married", B lost his coverage and had to go on COBRA for inferior coverage at a far higher premium. By getting legally married in DC, where A works, B can again be fully covered by A's company benefits.
*
Getting back to the weekend, for a small historic resort area, Rehoboth has great restaurants and equally great gay and gay friendly clubs. Saturday night we went to three different bars/clubs and they were all in less than a 10 block radius. Besides being gay friendly - something that the Virginia Beach resort area is decidedly not, Rehoboth has so many fewer "tourist trap" stores that all sell the exact same junk that few refined travelers would want to buy. If Virginia Beach had any sense, a part of the resort strip would be set aside to cultivate gay travelers.
*
In any event, we are going back to Rehoboth Beach for the July 4th weekend and looking forward to seeing the place in summer with the benefit of locals to show us around and give us a place to stay. It should be fun. Oh, did I mention that the place was originally founded in the 1800's to be a "Christian beach resort?" Things have certainly changed.
1 comment:
Michael.. my partner and I have been going to Rehoboth every summer for the last 12 years. We share a beach house on the boardwalk with 7 other couples near Poodle Beach and always have a great time in the beautiful laid back gay friendly environment. March is probably not the best time to be there, but probably less expensive! Denis
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