REHOBOTH BEACH, Del.- A very close community now working past hate speech towards the gay community. Just one day after a Facebook post with a derogatory word used towards a drag performance, is making its way around social media. 

The post sent out on Nov. 15th by Assistant Lewes Fire Chief, Bill Buckaloo, has now been removed, but the words are still lingering for many. After a typical Sunday night at the Blue Moon where Magnolia Applebottom was performing her one woman comedy show. Buckaloo sat front row as Jeremy Bernstein, who plays the character of Magnolia Applebottom performed. Bernstein says the post comes as a shock.  Bernstein said, "You don't know people's past and history, bullied in high school and middle school and even in college and that word is like other words you would call a minority group of people."  Bernstein referred multiple times to this term as "the f word". Buckaloo did issue an apology on Facebook saying in part, "I definitely displayed a lack of good character and judgement. I offended a lot of people including myself." Bernstein says this isn't enough. "But I would much rather see actions, not just words at this point," he said.  Since the post was put up, the Lewes Fire Department says Buckaloo was let go as assistant chief, and suspended pending the outcome of an investigation. Buckaloo, the former Fire Cheif as well was also arrested back in 2018 for disorderly conduct. Camp Rehoboth which is located next to the Blue Moon says it is important to address issues like the one last night, and make sure the gay community feels safe. David Mariner, the Executive Director of Camp Rehoboth said, "You know we want to know that we are safe and that we're going to be protected by emergency responders, by our first responders."  Bernstein says the way Buckaloo described the performance separates homosexuals from the rest of society, but he will not let it hold him and his talents back. He says drag is more than a performance.  Bernstein said, "A large range of artistic talent from dance, to singing, to lip syncing, to costume design, to hair and makeup design."  Bernstein will be back on stage tomorrow night as Applebottom once again, and says it will not stop him from doing what he loves.  This week is also Transgender Awareness Week. Camp Rehoboth says if anyone wants to talk moving forward you can contact them through camprehoboth.com.