Staten Island’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade has finally broken a 60-year ban, allowing LGBTQ groups to march in the annual event.
Organizers have invited the Pride Center of Staten Island, a local community nonprofit, to participate in the celebratory march on March 2, 2025.
The invitation was also extended to Pride Centers, which have battled with past leaders over exclusion of LGBTQ groups. leadership change within the Richmond County St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, which organizes the parade.
“The Parade Committee is charged with ensuring that the parade focuses on the history, traditions, culture and beliefs of St. Patrick and the Irish people,” the commission said in a statement. “In this effort, Pride Center leaders have assured the parade committee that they stand ready to support the parade in meeting this obligation.”
The parade committee, previously led by Larry Cummings, frequently cited the Catholic nature of the event and the religious basis of the holiday as justification for excluding LGBTQ groups.
Cummings also objected to allowing LGBTQ groups to appear, as he strongly believes the event is not about “sexual identity.”
But similar parades have been held in other cities, including Boston, Dublin and New York City, which lifted its own ban in 2014 and has since eased its ban. Prior to this latest news, the Staten Island parade was reportedly the last to exclude LGBTQ groups from marching with their own flags. new york times.
“We are truly honored to be invited to march in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade,” Pride Center Executive Director Carol Brock said in a statement.
The Pride Center is the only LGBTQ organization to receive an invitation to march so far, but the committee indicated it would invite other LGBTQ delegations to participate.
City Councilman David Carr (R-Staten Island), who is gay, said at a parade committee press conference that the end of the ban is “proof that sexual orientation issues no longer divide us.” said.
Similarly, City Councilwoman Camilla Hanks (D-Staten Island) said her half-Irish transgender stepdaughter will be able to participate in the parade for the first time.
“This is emotional because it’s important to me. Inclusion is important,” Hanks said. “This parade will truly represent all Staten Islanders.”
Source: Metro Weekly – www.metroweekly.com
