5th Annual LGBT & Allies St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
Yet Traditional Parade Still Excludes LGBT Groups
BOSTON, Mass.—Boston LGBT leaders and activists are hosting the 5th Annual “LGBT and Allies St. Patrick’s Day Celebration” this coming Monday, March 17th from 6-8 p.m. at Stella in the South End, located at 1525 Washington Street. Community activist Jeff Ross launched this event five years ago as a reminder of the exclusion that the LGBT community still faces by the St. Patrick’s Day Parade organizers. This year’s event is being headlined by Boston City Councilor Josh Zakim and is a fundraiser for campaign committee. Co-hosts include State Auditor Suzanne Bump and Rep. Gloria Fox is expected to draw other local and state-wide elected officials. Suzanne Bump and Steve Grossman supported the 1st annual event in 2009.
This year’s event is expected to draw a wide crowd in light of the talks initiated by Mayor Walsh, MassEquality and the South Boston Parade Committee. The South Boston St. Patrick’s Parade Committee recently decided to continue to exclude LGBT groups from marching in the parade despite efforts from Mayor Walsh to broker a compromise with the group. [pullquote]The South Boston St. Patrick’s Parade Committee recently decided to continue to exclude LGBT groups from marching in the parade despite efforts from Mayor Walsh to broker a compromise with the group. [/pullquote]
“As chair of the Boston City Council’s Committee on Human Rights and Civil Rights, I recognize that we must continue pushing an agenda of equality and social justice,” said Councilor Josh Zakim (D-Back Bay). “Even in Boston, this fight is not yet over, as once again the Allied War Veterans Council has chosen to discriminate against our city’s LGBT community in the Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade. I stand in solidarity with the LGBT community and wholeheartedly condemn their exclusion from what should be an event for all to celebrate.”
“Since we first put this together with the help of former City Councilor Felix Arroyo, and City Councilor Ayanna Pressley, this event has served as a reminder of the work we still have to do in Boston to make sure that there is no discrimination left in our communities,” said Jeff Ross, who ran for Boston City Council At-Large in 2013 and finished in 6th place. “Mayor Walsh has led on this issue by pushing for LGBT inclusion in the parade. Although it wasn’t successful this year, I’m proud of the work he and MassEquality did by creating a dialogue where none has existed for decades. We are talking about who and when, rather than if there will be inclusion and this is progress.” [pullquote]“Even in Boston, this fight is not yet over, as once again the Allied War Veterans Council has chosen to discriminate against our city’s LGBT community in the Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade. I stand in solidarity with the LGBT community and wholeheartedly condemn their exclusion from what should be an event for all to celebrate.”—Councilor Josh Zakim (D-Back Bay)[/pullquote]
“As a lifelong resident of South Boston who is raising a family here, I think it is important that our parade reflect the vibrant and inclusive neighborhood that is South Boston in 2014,” said Maureen Dahill, former candidate for State Senate in South Boston.
[From a News Release]
