LGBT+ Groups Banned Again from Marching in Staten Island St Patrick’s Day Parade
March 5, 2019Several politicians have boycotted marching in the Staten Island St Patrick’s Day Parade in response to the continued ban on LGBT+ groups from participating, reports The Irish Times.
The Pride Center of Staten Island has been banned from participating every year since 2011.
Borough president James Oddotweeted out that he would be not be taking part because of this: “I wanted to, and thought I could reconcile my call for inclusion with still marching, but internally I cannot.
No disrespect is intended towards anyone, including colleagues who will march.”
Democrat congressman Max Rosealso announced he would be boycotting the event, writing on Twitter: “I struggled with how to support our LGBTQ community while still honouring our Island’s rich Irish heritage, but for me I cannot march while the @pridecenterSI is still excluded.”
The St Patricks’ Day Parade is organised by the Ancient Order of Hibernianswho have continuedly ignored requests that Irish LGBT+ groups be allowed to participate.