A grassroots movement to allow LGBTQ people to march in Staten Island, New York’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade has failed.
Queer Staten Islanders have tried for years to secure a spot in the St. Paddy’s Day parade only to find their efforts rebuffed. This year proved no exception. Despite the efforts of several community groups–including Pride Center of Staten Island and the Gay Officer’s Action League, parade organizers have rejected the inclusion of out-LGBTQ participants. Parade organizer Larry Cummings gave the only explanation: “This is not a sexual identification parade.”
Pride Center of Staten Island executive director Carol Bullock pointed out to Cummings and the media that the St. Paddy’s Day Parade began, in large part, due to anti-Irish sentiment. Her illustrations of hypocrisy did not dissuade parade organizers.
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“It’s disappointing,” Bullock told GayCity News of the ongoing ban on LGBTQ groups in the parade. “It sends a terrible message, especially to the youth who are thinking of coming out and celebrating who they are. This is the type of thing they’ll be facing. It’s sad and frustrating.”
The continued ban on queer participation in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade becomes all the more perplexing when considering the bipartisan support for inclusion. Democrats Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Congressmember Max Rose, State Senator Diane Savino, and City Councilmember Deborah Rose have all voiced support for allowing LGBTQ people to join the parade, as have Republicans Borough President Jimmy Oddo and Councilmember Steven Matteo.
Still, despite the homophobia, Carol Bullock encourages people to attend the festivities. “This year I’m just asking people to still go and visit amazing bars and restaurants — just don’t march in the parade,” she said.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
The fuuck of the Irish….
jayceecook
I don’t feel sorry for them. They are like the nagging ex who just won’t or can’t accept that they are not wanted. And why they want to be a part of event that doesn’t want them, doesn’t like them, and probably contributes to the stripping away of their rights is shameful. But I guess the green beer they sell at the parade is pretty righteous.
Vince
Kind of does remind me of the log cabin republicans always getting kicked out of the conventions only to come graveling back year after year.
Isn’t Staten Island known as the right wing wacko side of NY anyways.
jayceecook
@Vince Yeah, it practically is. And the LCR is a good comparison.
A.S.Merrimac
Can we refrain from the ethnic slur “St. Paddy” please.
djmcgamester
Yay for getting offended over nothing.
jayceecook
Paddy is the appropriate name/nickname to call a man whose name is Patrick. You *do not* call him “Patty”. Try that in Ireland and the U.K. and see what happens.
Cam
I’m completely surprised that in the most racist area of NYC, and the only area that elects Republicans, they are bigoted. (Gasp)
frapachino
You mean Harlem?
Kangol2
@rustyspanks/frapachino [sic], your hatred really blinds you, doesn’t it? Come into the light and heal yourself, sister, and remove the scales from your eyes!
Den
@Frap.
When was the last time (if ever) that you have been to NYC? There are no areas more racist than the insular mostly white, right wing enclaves of Howard Beach and Staten Island.
Harlem is in the midst of a new renaissance.
But I assume you find black people too scary to look beyond your stereotypes, and see a lack of deference to whites as “racism”.
Cam
@frapachino
Awwww, how cute, the anti-LGBT troll account always comes in to attack black people to deflect from anti-LGBTQ bigotry.
jjose712
It’s curious but Irish in America seem way more conservative than Irish in Ireland who even had a gay president
Den
Staten Island is simply where New York’s conservative catholic Irish Americans have ended up. Plus, the EU has aggressively encouraged a 21st century attitude and social progress.
Don’t forget that among the American right wing social progress, social justice, inclusion, equality and equitable treatment are all dirty words.
They childishly think it is an insult to note somebody strives for social justice!
Mattster
Yes this is very weird. I know people from Ireland and they don’t understand what the big deal is, LGBTQ people have been included there for a long time, and marriage equality won in a landslide. Of course, they are also mostly horrified by the kitschy shamrock ties, leprechaun hats, etc.
Kangol2
@Den, Staten Island is heavily Italian-American. In fact, I think I read that it has the highest percentage of Italian Americans of any county in the US.
Also, there are sizable numbers of Irish-Americans, but also Latinxs (mostly Puerto Ricans and Mexicans), Asian Americans, and African Americans (it’s where the famous rap group Wu Tang Clan is from).
Staten Island actually is more ethically and racial diverse than many people think, but it is definitely the least diverse and most conservative of the five boroughs.
RyanMBecker
Indeed, I’d even say that Ireland is one of the most gay-friendly nations. I base that on the fact that Ireland was the first nation to legalize marriage equality by popular vote. All previous legalizations were done through the courts, where marriage inequality was judged unconstitutional. But in Ireland, it was done through the will of voters. That means the shift truly reflected the nation. And as far as I know, Ireland is still the only nation to have done this. Australia also had a vote approving marriage equality but it was non-binding, and only served as a guide for legislators.
I was engaged in several online music discussions when the Irish was debating the issue. I was shocked by the amount of Irish Twitter and Facebook accounts displaying the HRC gay equality logo (a yellow equal sign), mostly belonging to heterosexual users. It really did shock me because I had always assumed that Ireland was very conservative. I’ve since watched several gay Irish movies and realize how wrong I was.
The marriage vote sent shock waves throughout the world, including the US. No other nation is so identified with Catholicism, hence the term, “Irish Catholic.” The Vatican was left speechless and embarrassed. As were many homophobic American politicians. They constantly blamed “activist judges” for advancing gay rights yet here was an unexpected example where judges played no role. It was the Irish people that wanted gay equality. And as supposed champions of democracy, these conservatives then cannot criticize the results.
As an aside, American Catholics were perhaps not so shocked. One of the most surprising findings during America’s debate on the issue was that the majority of Catholic Americans approved of marriage equality.
djmcgamester
I know one or two straight, conservative-type guys from Staten Island. One invited me to his wedding. It’s too bad the local government doesn’t reflect at least some of its residents.
wikidBSTN
Who would want to march in Staten Island?!
You would just get your shoes dirty and have to take a shower to get the grime off you when you get home.
nitejonboy
I wouldn’t want to march in Staten Island anyway, Cropsey might get me!!
RyanMBecker
“This is not a sexual identification parade.”
Nor is it a “job identification parade” or a high school parade yet you have professional groups, e.g. Irish officers, and high school groups.