Re: Reports of LGBTQ Groups Prohibited from Marching with Pride Banners in Staten Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade

“I am outraged to learn the Pride Center of Staten Island and Rainbow Run Staten Island have been prohibited from marching with a pride banner in the 55th Annual Staten Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade. This ban sends the message that being LGBTQ is something you should hide. The overwhelming majority of Irish citizens who made history in 2015 when they voted to legalize same sex marriage certainly didn’t think the LGBTQ community had anything to hide. Let’s take their lead and bring the same spirit of inclusiveness here. I urge the organizing committee of the Staten Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade to reconsider and let these groups march with banners flying proudly. Irish history has always included members of the LGBTQ community. It’s time to stop pretending otherwise.”

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