Murray Archibald to receive Heroes Award May 2
Adding his name to a long line of amazing LGBTQ leaders and allies, CAMP Rehoboth co-founder Murray Archibald has been honored with the Delaware Valley Legacy Fund John Cunningham Lifetime Legacy Heroes Award. The award was bestowed by the Philadelphia-area LGBTQ nonprofit for Archibald’s “tremendous and unwavering commitment to the LGBTQ+ community.”
Archibald follows in the footsteps of previous winners like activist pioneer Barbara Gittings, legislative allies Rep. Brian Sims and Rep. Patrick Murphy, as well as Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell and activist Olympian Johnny Weir.
Along with his late husband Steve Elkins, Archibald founded CAMP Rehoboth over 30 years ago in Rehoboth Beach. At the time, amid the 1990s AIDS crisis, tensions were high between Rehoboth’s growing LGBTQ community and longtime Rehoboth residents. Archibald and Elkins are credited with bringing the community together, establishing understanding and friendship between the gay and straight communities, and working tirelessly to weave the LGBTQ community into the diverse fabric of Rehoboth Beach.
Archibald said, “I am incredibly honored to be awarded the 2021 Lifetime Legacy Heroes Award from Philadelphia’s Delaware Valley Legacy Fund. It was a lovely surprise, made even better when I see names like Barbara Gittings, Dr. Rachel Levine, Mel Heifetz and Johnny Weir on the list of past award winners. My thanks for all who made this possible!”
But it was Archibald, along with his late husband who made so many things possible. To list all of Murray’s accomplishments would be impossible, but the list must include the inspiration and running over more than 30 years of the mega-fundraising event Sundance, the vision for the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center, historic events like CAMP Follies, LOVE art auctions, and many magnificently produced and decorated circuit-party-like dance events.
As word of the honor got around. Rehoboth Beach Police Chief Keith Banks said, “Murray means so much to our community. Many years ago, CAMP Rehoboth was brought in to speak to our officers during their training. Murray’s unwavering dedication to this annual program of cultural diversity has brought about a greater understanding of and improved communication with the LGBTQ community and the police officers who serve the residents and visitors of Rehoboth Beach. Murray is a true friend and heart of our community.”
A letter to Archibald from DVLF President Fernando Gonzalez states, “It gives me great pleasure to inform you that you have been selected to be honored as the 2021 Lifetime Legacy award recipient. Congratulations! Through the nomination process, HEROES identifies youth, adults, nonprofits, allies, local, regional/national businesses, and a national person or project who have bold ideas, act with selfless intention, are admired for their integrity and regarded as courageous in advancing equity and equality. DVLF celebrates these examples of character and encourage others to act heroically… on behalf of DVLF, we hope you will accept this honor and join us as a DVLF HERO.”
According to DVLF, The HEROES Award was established by the organization in 2003 to spotlight and honor “the unwavering dedication of community leaders and organizations who advance the rights and well-being in the greater Philadelphia LBTQ+ community - and beyond.”
There will be a virtual event at 11:30 a.m., Sunday, May 2, to bestow the award on Archibald as he takes his place among the many LGBTQ leaders and allies, organizations and businesses recognized by DVLF for their contributions to the LGBTQ community. For tickets, go to dvlf.org/heroes2021.
