Census: Rehoboth Beach Has Delaware’s Highest Concentration of Same-Sex Couples
Anyone who has ever spent a summer day walking down Baltimore Avenue or strolling along Poodle Beach while visiting Rehoboth Beach knows that the small resort town is a popular getaway for LGBT people from across the Mid Atlantic.
Many people may not realize, however, that approximately one out of 10 of Rehoboth's permanent households consist of same-sex couples.
The Williams Institute, a think tank in the field of sexual orientation and gender identity-related issues in law and public policy, analyzed data from the 2010 Census and found that Rehoboth is home to the highest concentration of same-sex households in the state of Delaware.
The 2010 Census reports 3,352 same-sex couples statewide with nearly 10 same-sex couples per 1,000 households. The report also found slightly more female same-sex households (60 percent) as compare to males (40 percent).
In Rehoboth, the Census found 81 same-sex couples with more than 100 same-sex couples per 1,000 households. According to the Census, the population of Rehoboth is 1,327.
Fay Jacobs and her life partner of almost 30 years, Bonnie Quesenberry, moved to Rehoboth in 1999. The couple had been living in Washington, D.C., after moving from New York City. The women vacationed in Rehoboth for a number of years before deciding to relocate once again.
Jacobs was attracted to the town because of its gay-friendly reputation.
"After experiencing the support system in Rehoboth, especially CAMP Rehoboth, we knew this is where we wanted to be," said Jacobs. CAMP Rehoboth is Rehoboth Beach's LGBT community center.
Jacobs and Quesenberry were officially married in Canada in 2003. They are now investigating whether to register their relationship with Delaware once the state's civil unions law takes effect on Jan. 1.
While Delaware still officially bans marriage for same-sex couples, the civil union statute will provide many legal protections and benefits for same-sex couples.
It is Jacobs' belief that the growing openness of same-sex couples as well as gay singles across the state was a driving force in the approval of civil unions in Delaware and the passage of the state's gay anti-discrimination law in 2009.
As part of its research, the Williams Institute stresses that it's possible that some same-sex couples may be unwilling to publicly identify themselves on the Census due to concerns about confidentiality. The California-based think tank added many same-sex couples may think they will experience stigma and discrimination and consider it too risky to identify as spouses or unmarried partners on a government survey like the Census
Jacobs feels that is the case in Rehoboth. She believes that the number of same-sex couples is likely closer to double that of the Census' estimate.
Regardless of the exact numbers, however, Jacobs believes that the presence of gays and lesbians in Delaware is vitally important.
"Being out and visible is key," she commented. "It's that building of one-on-one relations with our neighbors that breaks down barriers. I see it happen every day in Rehoboth. It really does only get better."