Monday, March 17, 2014
New York, Boston mayors back LGBT groups, reject St. Patrick's Day parades
Mayor de Blasio from New York City, and Mayor Walsh from Boston both chose not to partake in their cities St. Patrick's Day parades. They both made this decision because the parade in their cities prevented citizens to partake if they expressed their sexual orientation. Both mayors saw this as an exclusion of selective groups of their citizens, and decided to refrain from participating as a political statement. Several other sponsors, such as Irish beer companies, withdrew their support as well.
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First off, I don't understand why someone can't participate in a parade because they have different sexual orientation. It's so obvious to me that this is like our past when blacks were excluded from many activities, and yet it still happens. I think that both mayors took a strong stance and I'm proud of them. I also think it's fantastic that beer companies are also getting in on this political action.
ReplyDeleteThis article made me really happy and proud that de Blasio and Martin Walsh feel strongly enough about equality for every sexual orientation to not participate in these public events. It makes no sense that the organizers of the parade are supposedly "not opposed to LGBT" but then at the same time don't allow people's sexual orientation to be displayed. It seems like they only said that so they wouldn't lose any other sponsors like the multiple beer companies that dropped out.
ReplyDeleteIt's sad the that something as simple as a parade even has the nerve to discriminate against LGBT citizens. The parade should have celebrated all Irish Americans, but I guess if you're homosexual you don't deserve to. I'm very happy that both mayors stood up for equality and chose not to participate. I hope other mayors from around the country can learn something from de Blasio and Walsh.
ReplyDeleteIt is pathetic that the organizers of both parades would not let LGBT citizens openly participate in the parades. Even if it is a religious or personal opinion against LGBT citizens, the opinion should not disclude those citizens. LGBT citizens should not be shut out of events or ceremonies because they do not coincide with someone else's opinion. This entire subject however is a matter of opinion and I am glad that both Mayors protested the parades in support of those unincluded citizens.
ReplyDeleteAs with the rest of my classmates, I don't think it is right that people shouldn't be allowed to participate if the "display sexual orientation." What happened to freedom of speech? This is a way for people to express their person and there is no need to discriminate against this people because it simply will not do any good whatsoever. Why not just let them participate and have everybody enjoy the St. Patties Day Parade? And if you really have a problem with a gay person expressing their orientation or whatever, it's a St. Patrick's Day Parade and everyone should be allowed to enjoy it
ReplyDeleteThis is a very strong statement on both the mayors' parts. Although it's kind of pathetic that even parades discriminate against LGBT groups, we can definitely draw out positive notes from the article about the Walsh and de Blasio's actions. Hopefully more big figures will step up and make stands like this to show that it's finally time to end this discrimination, not just in parades, but everywhere.
ReplyDeleteWhat does st. Paddy's day have to do with sexual orientation? Being Irish, I've marched in St. Paddy's day parades with my fellow members of the AOH since I was a child and have never seen discrimination. Nor have I ever seen a moment when discrimination would be possible or even make sense. To have a parade that discriminates is just offensive. And when an Irish beer company backs out of a St. Paddy's day parade, you know something is wrong.
ReplyDeleteIt's really sad that with all the progress the LGBT community has made this year, they are still discriminated in something as simple as a parade. This was a powerful and brave move for both de Blasio and Walsh, and supporters and members of the LGBT community everywhere will applaud them. Both mayors showed that equality of the citizens outweighs the fun and excitement of a parade.
ReplyDeleteAnother small step forward here for the LGBT community and supporters. Even though de Blasio and Walsh didn't directly affect any legislature with their gesture, it is definitely noted. When some of the most powerful and influential people in their respective cities do something as bold and direct as this, you can bet change is coming. Maybe next time, the parade's rules will be a little different, as they should be.
ReplyDeleteThis seems to be another step in the struggle to gain equal rights for all Americans regardless of their sexual orientation. There is no reason that anyone should be restricted in participating in a St. Patrick's Day parade of all things simply because of their sexual orientation. I am glad to see that two mayors of large cities openly went against the parade organizers and that several beer companies followed suit. Hopefully these actions will prevent this from happening again in the future.
ReplyDeleteI applaud the two city mayors and the beer companies for taking a stand on this issue. St. Patrick's Day is a holiday America celebrates to have fun with friends and family in bars, parades, and parties. Excluding those who choose to express themselves on a day that we celebrate to come together and have a good time is wrong.
ReplyDeleteI think that this is the kind leadership that out country should be proud to have. I was completely unaware that there was an exclusions of LGBT from Saint Patrick's day parades. This draw attention to the issue. Hopefully things will be different next year, because it is absolutely ridiculous that LGBT people are currently being excluded. You don't choose to be gay, just like you don't choose to be Irish.
ReplyDeleteIt makes me happy to see what mayors did, but it's pathetic that there would be a parade which is able to discriminate and go against our constitutional right to free speech. As we have talked about in class it would be illegal to try and stop the KKK from holding a march, nobody would like it but constitutionally we would have to allow it. So of we are a country which allows the KKK to march, but does not allow gay people to march in a St. Patrick's Day parade, what kind of message are we sending?
ReplyDelete