Sun 20 Mar 2016 In: International News View at Wayback View at NDHA
For the first time ever, LGBTI groups marched in the New York St Patricks Day Parade, after a historic ban on LGBTI groups was lifted. AP Photo/Mary Altaffer The massive event has always banned LGBTI groups from marching in the parade as they go against the values of the Catholic Church. The event has been boycotted commercially because of the ban including in 2014, when Heineken dropped it’s sponsorship with the event. The parade has also been the target of protests and New York Democratic Mayor has publicly spoken out against the parade each year since his election. This year LGBTI groups marched in the parade and the Irish Queers and the Lavender and Green Alliance marched proudly down the street lined with crowds. Mayor de Blasio says “The St Patrick’s Day parade is a New York City tradition, but for years Irish LGBT New Yorkers could not show their pride. “Finally, they can celebrate their heritage by marching in a parade that now represents progress and equality.” A number of Catholic groups refused to attend the parade this year due to the policy change.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Sunday, 20th March 2016 - 4:50pm