Steve Elkins Way christened during touching ceremony

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. –  The local LGBTQ equal rights movement would have looked a lot different without the contributions of Steve Elkins, a co-founder of CAMP Rehoboth, who passed away in March of last year. Saturday, the Rehoboth community came together to honor the life and legacy of Elkins.

People erupted into thunderous applause, as the plastic was stripped away from the sign that officially designated a new pathway in Rehoboth Steve Elkins Way. This is the product of a grassroots idea, approved by the city commissioners, with all funding raised by the community.

To many this is a beautiful way to honor and celebrate a man who worked tirelessly for three decades advocating for the LGTBQ community, and a big reason many say they live and visit this area in the first place.

Chris Beagle, CAMP Rehoboth’s president of the board of directors, says Elkins was instrumental in getting Delaware lawmakers to sign its non-discrimination bill into law in 2009.

And his work continued, side-by-side with his husband Murray Archibald, to pass legislation for civil unions, same sex marriage, and transgender protection.

Many who spoke Saturday described Elkins as a carpenter because of his ability to build bridges, even with those who may have disagreed with him along the way.

“Steve built bridges wherever he went. In today’s polarized world, we need people like Steve, who make connections. Who build bridges, and who are not afraid to reach out to people from different backgrounds and with different beliefs,” said Archibald.

CAMP Rehoboth was founded in 1991 as a news letter, it now has over 1,000 members.

The design for the signs on the walkway were made by Elkins’ husband and partner of four decades, Murray Archibald.