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A COALITION OF Irish LGBT groups will later on today formally apply to take part in next year’s New York St Patricks Day parade, amid disappointment that only one gay group has so far been given permission to march.
Last Wednesday, the parade’s organising committee confirmed an earlier report by the Irish Voice newspaper, that for the first time, they would officially sanction the participation of an LGBT group.
However historic, the move has been met with growing skepticism and frustration in parts of the Irish gay community in America.
It later emerged that the sanctioned group would be composed of employees from NBC Universal, the event’s television partner, but that other groups – including Irish ones – would have to wait until “future years.”
Indeed, sources close to the issue told the Irish Voice that the inclusion of OUT@NBCUniversal was a reaction to threats from the company that they would stop broadcasting the parade unless it included the LGBT community.
Now, the St Pats for All, Lavender and Green Alliance, and Irish Queers groups are taking a stand.
This afternoon at 2.30 pm Irish time they will appear on the steps of the iconic New York public library, before formally posting their applications for permission to march in next year’s parade.
“This is an historic moment that belongs to the Irish community and not a corporate sponsor,” said Brendan Fay, an activist and filmmaker originally from Drogheda, and founder of St Pats for All – an inclusive and diverse alternative to the 5th Avenue parade.
“The sense now in the Irish community is that this is just not an acceptable resolution,” he added, speaking to TheJournal.ie by phone from Astoria in New York.
We’re almost there, but we’re not quite where we want to be.
There is a strong desire to see the Irish LGBT community represented on 5th Avenue on March 17th next year, and – with no disrespect to them – OUT@NBC does not represent that.
When I heard the news, I went from total delight, to major disappointment, and now determination that Irish gay groups will be there next year in the heart of our community, where we belong.
This video shows New York mayor David Dinkins marching (unsanctioned) with the Irish Lesbian and Gay Organisation at the 1991 St Patrick’s Day parade, and suffering verbal abuse at the hands of attendees.
Lisa Guido / Vimeo
“This is about honouring our Irish and LGBT heritage, and the 20 years of protests and struggle to be recognised,” Fay added, noting that he has personally been arrested on three separate occasions over his years of activism.
A spokesperson for Irish Queers told TheJournal.ie: “[The parade organisers] do not represent the Irish community.”
They claim that Irishness is the most important thing for them.
But a corporate gay group has absolutely nothing to do with Irishness.
In an earlier statement, the group denounced the agreement with NBC as “a backroom deal” which would keep Irish LGBT groups “on the sidelines, not permitted to march, and once again erased from the parade’s portrayal of the Irish-American community.”
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St Paddys day parades are a celebration of all things Irish.
I don’t see why it should be hijacked by any one particular group to further another agenda.
How would gay rights groups feel if gay pride marches were used to push abortion issues, for example?
Time and a place..
I hear this mentioned all the time. What is their agenda?
With the marriage equality referendum being held next year, I think it’s quite relevant to have Irish LGBT people represented.
Nobody is trying to hijack the parade, they just want to be included.
It’s St. Patricks day. NOT St. Paddys day or Paddys day
I didnt realise people were screened pre-patricks day parades to ensure they are of the correct sexual orientation!
Except nobody is excluded from marching at Pride, there were plenty of banners for pro-choice groups and Free Palestinian groups for example at both Dublin and Cork Pride this year. So your point doesn’t stand at all.
The issue seems to be more with other groups joining in the parade. If you start letting in one then you have to start letting them all in.. what if the NRA wanted to march.
You’re absolutely right – it shouldn’t be hijacked by one group; it should be open to gay and straight.
The only group that has hijacked the parade is the Ancient Order of Hibernians (a pompous name if ever I heard one), and their agenda is discrimination. Gay groups aren’t asking to take over the parade – they’re asking for a place in it.
It is open to everyone, just not everyone’s issues and rightly so imo.
Time and place…
It’s clear from this fiasco the LGBT lobby are not looking for equal rights, which they already have at the NYC parade, but special treatment. This is counter-productive.
Many Irish Americans are strongly Pro Life. Why not allow an Irish American ‘Pro Life’ group to march?
Why should the gay community be given special treatment all the time.
If the allow one group to march – then surely they should allow others as well.
All this lobbying by ‘rights’ groups, will eventually destroy the parade.
Giuseppe
Time and place? When do heterosexuals adhere to this logic?
For they are forever flaunting their sexuality in peoples faces daily
Read the history of the parade. It was founded by the Ancient Order of Hibernians at a time when discrimination against the Irish was rampant in New York.
@Mr L.Jay
I’m not saying people of any sexuality can’t or shouldn’t show affection in any public place.
Tho I don’t agree with your last line as I’ve been going around my daily routine all week to work,gym,friends etc and haven’t noticed anyone throwing there affection for anyone in anyone else’s face ??? Let’s not get carried away.
Time and place is not turning a fun public holiday/parade for EVERYONE into a political or rights group or any other organisations platform to waffle out there issues or agenda. If that does happen then the holiday/parade becomes less fun and enjoyable for some people I am sure and would destroy the good spirit of the event.
ALL THE TIME? TAKE YOUR HEAD OUT OF THE CATHOLIC TRASH CAN THAT IT IS IN.
I was brought up to accept each and every culture, religions and orientation and I seriously belive what or who people do is their own right and business.
I don’t however see what the lgbt group plan to gain by pushing for a place in the NY Patricks day parade other than publicity. The parameters of the parade are laid out for all to see and specificly outline that it cannot be used as a platform for other agendas other than promoting irishness. This means no tobacco companies , no white supremacy groups no black panter style groups and no political organisations.
It is and isn’t . So you could march as Irish republican, irish democrat etc as part of those groups. Lgbt are exclusively disallowed on the basis of sexual orientation and not being seen as part of Irishness. I don’t know though if other Irish groups are disallowed. Maybe irish feminists and unionists are banned as well. It’s an odd one and everytime I read about it I get more confused about what the issue is.
No they’re not. You can march if you’re gay. You just can’t march BECAUSE you are gay. I don’t really know where I stand on this. I think ultimately if you’re going to allow LGBT groups to march you have to open the floodgates in the interest of fairness until it becomes a carnival of political interests. You’d have pro-life/pro-choice groups, white supremecists, super PACs and probably the tea baggers. Nobody wants that. I’m all for LGBT equality, but that doesn’t mean you get special treatment. They’d be the first ones to complain if the Christian right had an anti-gay rights march and so they should.
LGBT have their own parade , now they want to hijack St Patricks Day .
The St Patricks Day Parade is not about promoting causes , its about celebrating Irishness .
whats the bets LGBT will want panti bliss to lead the Irish Parade next March.
They want to obtain positions based on their sexuality , which is discrimination .
I suppose that means no corporate sponsors. Do you think they do it because they are Irish or because it gives their company publicity?
I’m prob gonna suffer for asking this but why should they be allowed to March in the parade?, what are they bringing to the parade?, I know the LGBT community are fighting for equal rights and all that but they shouldn’t be using at Patricks day parade as a platform for publicity! Also they already have their own parade!!
Because they’re Irish too.
Paddy’s Day parades are nothing of they’re not about publicity and inclusiveness. Why else do supermarkets and bin companies the length and breadth of Ireland take part in parades?
here’s one for you….
why NOT?
keep coming with the thumbs – and no explanations.
well done all you pilars of tolerance.
My understanding is that it’s not gay people that are banned, it’s political sloganeering. And the reason that should be banned is that the parade is a celebration of Irish history & culture, and not a hustings
Tony, when I bring my children to a parade celebrating the culture and identity of this nation I do not want my children viewing scenes like this…
http://static1.demotix.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/a_scale_large/2200-7/photos/2207337.jpg
Is that so hard to understand?
My kids would get a great laugh out of that .. Cool !
Oh, so what you’re saying is that you’d be fine with it as long as there’s a dress code?
Now I get it.
Thanks, you’re explanation is not only clear – it’s illuminating in what it says about you.
they like to cause controversy. would they allow prolife groups or iona march at gay pride. didn’t think so. why not. why would they discriminate against these people.
THEN STAY HOME. THIS IS LIFE. WAKE UP AND SMELL THE WINDS OF CHANGE.
A family orientated parade is not an appropriate forum to celebrate your sex life. It’s not because it’s homosexual, it’s just because it’s sexual.
Then it will be NRA marching and pro abortion and then what ever next. UIt will be less about the St Patrick’s day and more about the agenda of different groups and publicity
What is their agenda again?
Pride parades look like a porn show.. That’s what they’ll want to turn Patricks day into
Linda/Finbarr, Have you been to a Pride Parade in Dublin? Or a porn show, for that matter?
My 60yo dad marched with me this year – I doubt he would have considered it that way.
The vast majority of people who march in Pride Parades are normal people, gay or straight, just out to show support to friends or family.
Aren’t gay people families and family members too and there’s a lot more to been gay than just ‘their sex lives’ as is the same for heterosexuals. This should be about inclusiveness, something a true Republic should aspire to.
What more is there to being gay beyond sex life exactly?
Lack of equal rights and privileges.
Dave, so this is an attempt to further a political agenda then? Pretty much exactly what this parade is not supposed to be about.
No. Gay people in NY have full rights with same sex marriage. They want to march simply because they are of Irish heritage and gay.
Can you tell me what agenda they are trying to push? Nobody else can.
It was you who mentioned equal rights & privileges. If they are marching, even partially, in an effort to have rights & privileges extended to a group, then this is a political agenda. It’s a political agenda I agree with & support, but other political agendas that could argue for inclusion in future may not be for such palatable causes.
If it’s not for rights, then it is marching to celebrate their sex lives, which is entirely inappropriate in this event.
I mentioned “equal rights & privileges” with regards your question of “What more is there to being gay beyond sex life exactly?”I wasn’t aware you were asking solely about this parade.
Again. What is their agenda? Can you answer that?
In fact. If the parade organizers are allowing one gay group to march (the NBC group) what is their reason for not allowing others?
Are the NBC gay group not making any political statement?
Dave, if they have no agenda due to already enjoying equal rights in NYC, then they are marching in celebration of their sex lives. That is entirely inappropriate at a family event.
And if they’ve already allowed one gay group march, why shouldn’t Irish members of the Westboro Baptist Church also be allowed march (hopefully they are none, but if)? Particularly in America with their freedom of speech of laws, you could be shocked where precedents like this could lead.
No no, if they allow one gay group to march why not other gay groups?
You are also confusing sex and sexuality.
Why only other gay groups though? Why not intolerant religious fanatics? Problem with freedom of expression is that once it’s invoked it’s not only invoked for those with whom you agree.
Silent, you’re giving extreme examples in order to make a point. That doesn’t make your point any stronger.
You seem intent on presenting the LGBT community as sex obsessed – as if the requirement for being gay is just to have gay sex and that’s that. Very short sighted.
Your assertion that “they are marching in celebration of their sex lives” is akin to saying the PSNI marched last year in celebration of internment!
Tony, the way freedom of expression laws operate in America, extreme examples like Westboro are relevant.
And I’m not presenting the LGBT as sex obsessed, it’s just that beyond our sex lives, they are not part of the gay community, they are just part of the community. Why are they so eager to distinguish themselves from the broader Irish community who by and large just want to include them as people, not gay people?
The entire discussion is about gay groups. Any group can apply to march in the parade.
Once again the gays seem to be the focal point of some mythical dam. If we allow gay people to do something it means we must allow everybody to do it. It will open the floodgates.
“Why are they so eager to distinguish themselves from the broader Irish community who by and large just want to include them as people, not gay people?”
Why do any groups march in the parade then? Why the need to have a school marching as a group or public workers or police? Why do we need to know what group they are apart off? Why separate them into different groups that are part of the community instead of one big community.
Once again you seem to saying that gay people should be doing something different to every other group?
Sexuality is not comparable to alma mater. A more like with like comparison would be to imagine I have a penchant for BDSM. This sexual preference has left me feeling like there’s something wrong me, and is something I cannot discuss with others due to fear of ridicule or exclusion. Now, I find a group of other like minded individuals. It’s not that I want to have orgies with this group or anything, but at least I can feel comfortable talking about my sexual preferences, and am around other like minded people should I wish to find myself a partner. Frankly, I’ve never felt happier in myself. Should I march in my leathers & chains?
That’s right, because all gay people are one-dimensional…
Such a pity to feel so threatened, need a hug?
I’m not saying they’re one dimensional, I’m just saying there is only one minor difference between us which I do not believe a family parade celebrating national identity is an appropriate forum in which to highlight this relatively minor distinction.
Silent, you have pretty consistently put homosexuality down to sex and nothing else. It’s unfortunate that your definition doesn’t appear to stretch any further – you might understand a little more about this whole story if you did.
You’ve also referred to “sexual preference” as if being gay is a choice? it seems to me that you’re the person that’s one dimensional.
As regards to any notion of celebration of national identity. Isn’t that a bit convenient? For many, it’s a family day out – for many others, celebrating their national identity translates to “off to the pub”.
As for what people think the day is and what the day really is – well, it’s SAINT Patrick’s day. I’m sure people will all be lining the aisles at mass before going down to enjoy good sanitised family fun and make sure those crazy homosexual sinners don’t give rise to kids questions which might just happen to be a bit uncomfortable and therefore justifies the exclusion of a group from a parade.
Fair play to Limerick Gardai, that’s all I can say.
Tony, I apologise if my view is one dimensional, but I have asked a few times on this thread for any other differences between straight & gay folk other than sexual preference and none have been forthcoming. Can you please provide any other differences?
Sexual preference does not indicate choice, it indicates a preference. This is a pretty commonly used phrase by commentators of either or neither persuasion, so I somehow doubt I really caused you offence with my choice of words.
It’s actually not a holy day of obligation (don’t know why I know that, or know that phrase even, good old catholic education!) so no need to head of to mass. The parade itself is supposed to be a family friendly event though, which is why such efforts are made to remove the drunken element from the parades if not the day itself, and is also the reason no sexuality should be celebrated during the event.
Also, the limerick gardai came out in support of Pride. Now there were one or two good points raised against it, but I’d agree with your sentiments of fair play. I’m not anti-gay whatever that means, and I’m genuinely not homophobic. I just don’t think that the paddys day parade is an appropriate forum to air your sexuality. Like I said above, opinions like mine should represent a victory for LGBT campaigners who fought true discrimination in the past, although probably still be deemed a defeat by some current campaigners for whom discrimination, perceived or otherwise, is a necessity.
Any group should be allowed march as long as they have an irish connection or heritage. It is discrimination no matter what argument anyone puts up. If blacks were excluded there would be uproar.
CLEARLY YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TO A PRIDE PARADE YOU IGNORANT WOMAN.
I’m gay… I’m Irish I don’t support this, it’s really not right to throw it in people’s faces like that. There’s a time and place for this kind of demonstration and the St Patricks day parade isn’t it. It may in it’s current form be a national holiday celebrating Irishness but it has a religious history and that should be respected.
It’s akin to a religious group demanding their right to march in protest at a gay pride parade.
Very sensible attitude.
Can you imagine if Opus Dei demanded representation at the Pride parade!
Throw what in people’s faces? Should I hide my sexuality from public view because it makes some people uncomfortable? Should I refrain from holding my partner’s hand in the street or from any form of expression of sexual identity? We haven’t come as far as we have in the search for equality by meekly keeping silent and out of the public view, and we aren’t about to start now.
That’s it graham, keep forcing it in everyone’s faces. Don’t worry about whether I want to bring my young kids to events like this, and feel that talks about sex & sexuality should occur on my terms & timeline. Your freedom to be able to announce to the world exactly who you prefer to sleep with should take precedence over my children’s innocence or my role as primary educator. Time & a place, this ain’t it.
Will you teach your children about the Northern Irish politics before you bring your child to the parade?
Silent
All they want to do is march, nothing more nothing less.
Why mention sex and sex talks? Do you just view gay people in terms of sex???
As for forcing it in peoples faces,heterosexuals force their sexuality in peoples faces everyday.
Graham, I think the point being made is the difference between just living your life and flaunting it. Part of the LGBT community continually push their agenda and want to be seen as different, whilst proclaiming they are not different just another part of the jigsaw puzzle that makes up humanity.
Just my view and I don’t feel the need to defend it.
Dave, I have no problem teaching kids about northern politics from a young age. I was taught about the troubles from a young age to illustrate how wrong violence was and to discourage me ever getting involved. I don’t particularly care if my kids grow up to be gay, I would just personally rather not deal with sex or sexuality with them until I decide they are an appropriate age, not when you or the parade organisers decide.
L.Jay that’s because it is just about sex. The only difference between a gay guy and a straight guy is their choice of sexual partner. Nothing else. This realisation by straight folk should be celebrated as a victory by LGBT campaigners, but unfortunately indifference will rob you of that special status some (and I emphasise some) members of the LGBT community so desperately crave.
I know people of the same sex hold hands during the Dublin Patrick’s Day Parade. You should think twice about bringing your children to it also.
Silent
There’s more to being gay than just sex.
Gay people dint want special privileges, all they want is equality and no discrimination, not much to ask
If the troubles taught us anything it should be that separating Irish identity from politics is a good idea
Name one other difference other than sex.
Joseph
Flaunting it really?? How?
Also what exactly is this “Agenda” you talk about
So Silent Majority I’m guessing that holding hands with my partner in public is a definite no – no : we wouldn’t want to corrupt your children’s innocence with stuff like truth and facts, now would we?
Strong straw man there graham. And no, no problem with people holding hands in public (kissing gets at me sometimes, gay or straight, but I recognise that as personal prudishness), but ultimately it just serves to normalise homosexuality in society. Defining yourselves as somehow different from the rest of us just due to what is essentially a very minor difference, only serves to emphasise an opinion that you are distinct from the broader community and thus somehow not normal.
Can they just put a huge canopy over their float ?! Would hate to have my seven year old boy see it as, I don’t want him explaining ‘what a gay person is’ and ‘what they do sexually’, to me .
Perhaps all babies (newborns especially) should be banned from the parade as well…cause ya know.. Your children might ask how they were created etc. and you may have to explain the birds and the bees to them right then and there!!
Silent – a homophobe AND a misogynist. Can’t say I’m shocked.
Thanks Dee, I was holding out for an intolerant “liberal” to pop up to make this all the easier to argue, and the ad hominems to follow really strengthen your point. However, objecting to parade floats doesn’t have it’s own “phobia” yet I’m afraid.
How, why, when and if I deal with matters such as sex and sexuality with my kids is my business, not yours. That right is enshrined in the constitution, you’re right to march in a parade is not.
This is has nothing to do with homosexuality, it has to do with sexuality. A family parade celebrating national identity has nothing to do with sexuality, and is not an appropriate event for any form of sexuality to be celebrated.
I knew the misogyny card would be played, because it always is. Didn’t see the “shitty kids” one coming though
THEN STAY THE HELL HOME. WE EXIST. Stop burying your childrens head in the sand, as they will have to function in a world of equality once they leave your clutches.
Isn’t the issue actually that banners and slogans are not allowed, not that specific individuals or groups are prohibited from marching?
Yeah, it’s akin to saying;
“I’d like to carry a banner in your Pride parade that says ‘End the British occupation of Ireland’”
“Sorry that’s not what this parade is about”
“Oh so you’re banning Irish people??”
Christianity at it’s finest….once again, as always, harming others in the name of jesus. RELIGION IS EVIL.
If LGBT groups want to be part of Patricks day then they should learn an instrument or build a float celebrating Irishness just like everyone else taking part. They can then apply to be part of the parade not based on their sexuality but on their desire to celebrate our national holiday. Paddy’s day has nothing to do with people’s sexuality. Why do LGBT groups always feel victimised by tradition?
Niall, I think some of them play the sax and the flute maybe even the recorder
They”d rather make an issue of their sexuality, then promote and celebrate their Irishness along with everyone else. For them it’s a political issue. Paddys day is turning into Saint Patricks pride day.
They can blow on a tin whistle for all I care Brian as long as they’re not slapping people, especially kids in the face with their sexuality.
Gay story first … Next abortion … Then Educate Together…..the journal would want to start doing serious news stories for a change
Linda you should ask the Catholic Voice to do a site like this. I’m sure that would be more up your street.
I hear ya !!
For someone so unhappy with many of the articles on the Journal, I see you comment quite a lot, Linda/Finbarr/whatever-your-name-is.
Skip this, and read the next? It’s not about abortion or Educate Together.
Linda.
You are a
agree Linda, Its usually in sequence. There will probably be a pro abortion article coming next, along with the usual spiel on ‘backward’ ‘Catholic’ Ireland etc.
Linda, you’re so painfully repetitive…..
How about a story on property ?!
Ridiculous. They moan about discrimination, want to be treated the same etc.
If you want to be treated equally then look upon yourself as equal!
I am straight but I don’t feel the need to broadcast it or look for attention by marching with a banner proclaiming my straightness.
Panti has a look that’s definitely best suited to darkened pubs/clubs
Yawn.
They have more rights at the moment than most sections of society…it’s about time that the Labour party looked after homeless people for a change .. They have their own parade Pride and by god they’ve turned that into a circus .. Let’s keep paddys day for real people that are genuine about irishness
Because it’s not like a homosexual person has ever been homeless. *rolls eyes*
@Linda. What more rights do they have?
Real people? Wow…
Niall, the gay community have massive representation and voice – through the Irish mainstream media, more than any other group in Irish society.
Almost on a daily basis, such as here on ‘the Journal’ or the ‘Irish Times’, the media push their case.
We will be hearing about this parade, probably every day, non stop, until the next March 17th. Yes, this issue deserves some media focus, & but what is going on is totally out of proportion.
Other ‘minority’ groups such as the travelling community, the disabled, or other ethnic or faith groups are almost totally ignored. They make up our society too – but in the eyes of the media, it seems, only one group counts.
Zoe, that may be true, but it does not infer that LGBT people have more rights. I would love to see more articles highlighting the causes of homeless, disabled, or ethnic minorities.
A simple solution to try reduce the amount of articles on LGBT stories, would be to not click on them. News websites like TheJournal.ie earn revenue through ads, and therefore, via views.
If articles covering a certain subject are the biggest draw for views, than proper business sense would be to continue writing articles on this subject.
Yeah because us gays aren’t real people. Could you be any more of a ignorant b1tch
@ Trevor, I’m hoping that wasn’t directed at me as my comment was in support and riddled with sarcasm, which should have been evident.
Handbags at dawn !
Man bags at dawn!!
What is the focus of the float going to be? It is going to be your average Paddy’s day parade float, inspired by the bull of Tara or whatever but made entirely by gay people? Or will it be more focused on being a celebration of gayness?
It’s interesting how in Ireland LGBT groups have been taking part in the St Patricks day parade for over a decade and there are no problems, kind of annoying how a parade that claims to celebrate our national holiday that takes place in another country gives Ireland a bad name when in Ireland nobody really cares who joins in the parade.
Keep them out, out out out
It is serious Linda . Might not be to you .
What sexual ordination someone is has nothing to do with me but there is an agenda to push this on to people , do they invite other groups outside of theirs to participate in gay pride parades.
Gay Olympics, gay pride, most people are tolerant of their rights , but they don’t seam to respect heterosexual rights , if I go to a party and I’m not wanted I would leave not try and force my way in . I will get slaughtered for this but there ye go
Actually Kevin they do invite other groups to participate in gay pride. maybe you should check your facts before screeching about discrimination against the poor unfortunate heterosexuals of our society.
ok Graham , I stand corrected , never been to a pride parade so yes I should check my facts , but I wasn’t screeching, and I cant see how that could be taken from my comment , and I never cried poor mouth for the hetrosexuals either , I feel there are anger issues you need to confront , as I was just voicing my own personal opinion , maybe you should have a bit more tolerance for people and try and educate them without being so negative .I have always found the people who demand respect are at the back of the queue when it comes to returning it , but again if my comments have offended you Im sorry
I suppose rte won’t be able to broadcast it unless there’s an anti gay delegate! On a serious note, the squabbling shows how ludicrous defining yourself or being defined solely by your sexuality is. LGBT people have no more in common with each other than non lgbts. Unfortunately the st Patrick’s day parade will fall victim to this dispute among the various LGBT groups.
Were I, Panti. I would have publicly stayed out of this one as it doesn’t seem to have a whole lot of support on this side of the Atlantic. I’d have to question Rory’s judgement with a referendum so close here.
“The irish queers” I already dont take them seriously…but let the others march I say ☺
let me break this down as I understand it
NYC Patricks day parade has banned groups with a political objective from marching in the parade.
they decided that the LGBT groups fell into that category for their work on gay marriage etc
CNN decided they were going to get around this ‘ban’ by getting LGBT members of their staff to march under a CNN banner
The CNN group are LGBT individuals marching for CNN(advertising) vs the LGBT groups are still beating the same ‘political’ drum.
Vote here . The catholic church does more good than harm . Thumbs up if agree , thumbs down if disagree
What the hell is the point of showing a video from 1991?
Is that meant to be relevant?
Why can’t we celebrate gay Irish aswell as straight Irish. Gay people exist. You can’t pretend they don’t. Gay floats are in the Dublin one. Why do people have a problem with them in others?
Equality for straight people we want a straight pride day out
Equality would involve revoking your rights to marriage. That what you want?
We can’t have a march they can’t get married life’s a shit sometimes
Organise your own ‘straight pride’ march if you want. It’s a free country.
But just a question, would LGBT people be allowed to take part?
You CAN’T have a march? Em, no….you can march all ya like. You just haven’t tried Thierry.
It wouldn’t be allowed under some ridiculous public order or incitement of hate act
If they are proud to be straight or support straight pride
Have you tried Thierry, or is that utter speculation?
I took a Group to march in NY parade in 2013 and I needed their permission. In the application I was told if I wanted a banner, other then the pre-approve banner, they would have to vet and approve it first. The pre-approved banner is standard issue “England out of Ireland”!
I got approval for my own.
Vote here…..thumbs up = allowed parade,,,,,,,thumbs down = not allowed parade
Hopefully they will be permitted to join and can transform the St Patrick’s Day Parade NY into something more like the Berlin Love Parade, bringing a real exotic carnival vibe to streets of the city.
Ostentatious banners, provocative dancing, techno music and skimpily clad participants exuberantly promoting their sexuality, with a little green statue of St Patty buried somewhere in the middle of the party,
Who is “St. Patty”?
Spot the american, CPM!
Thank God we have the Holy Roman Catholic Church , the beacon for truth , decency and love , to support the protestors in the video and prevent these perverts from parading their vileness and corrupting our children .
Hold on …….
At this moment in time st Patrick’s parades mean f@ck all. It’s nothing more than a festival to get pissed. It’s a celebration of a Welsh man who came to Ireland to banish the “snakes”- the original people of Ireland who refused to switch over to Catholicism, look beyond the metaphors. St Patrick’s day as it is does little more than perpetuate the drunken Irish stereo type so I for one would love to see the LGBT community to march to show we care about more than booze and are at least trying to move into the 21st century
What a very backward and largely incorrect view you hold.
- St Patrick brought Christianity to Ireland, not Catholicism.
- The drunkens you speak of are the same people drunken every weekend and the justice system keeps putting them back out on to the streets. The vast, vast majority of drinkers in Ireland are pleasant and know their limits.
- LGBT can march in the parade, just without a political banner and as long as they adhere to a dress code.
It’s LGBT groups who are holding this parade back from the 21st Century with their demands for special treatment.
“a corporate gay group has absolutely nothing to do with Irishness” …… lol
This is fun Derek, vote… Thumbs up humans should be forced to pay taxes, thumbs down they shouldn’t and get on with their own life’s
good christians in action…..always but always trying to harm others, in the name of their chritianity. RELIGION IS EVIL.
have your say