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Home Page > News > NY Council Speaker speaks out for gay rights in New York St. Patrick’s parades - SEE VIDEO

NY Council Speaker speaks out for gay rights in New York St. Patrick’s parades - SEE VIDEO

Christine Quinn speaks in support of gay pride

MOLLY MULDOON,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Tuesday, March 8, 2011, 8:33 AM

Updated Friday, March 18, 2011, 12:43 PM

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Christine Quinn

New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn has vowed never to walk in the Staten Island St. Patrick’s Day parade again after participation by gay parade-goers who were barred.

Quinn, an Irish American lesbian, made the announcement on Sunday before the kick-off for the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Sunnyside, Queens.

Quinn told those gathered that in Staten Island a gay group sought permission from the parade’s organizers to march. At first they were permitted to participate but without any signage.

"Eventually, even the offer to march in a way was taken off the table all together, and there was no invitation," Quinn said of the would-be marchers.

Video shows a parade organizer trying to remove a marcher carrying a gay symbol on his jacket from the parade.

When asked by reporters if she thought it was wrong that New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg marched in the parade she said, “Everybody makes their own decision.”

"Don't Ask Don't Tell has been repealed. The military is no longer discriminating against LGBT people but yet parades in New York City are. It baffles the mind."

Nster.com

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PolinDeB | Mar 20, 2011, 08:30 PM EDT

@SCVMalcolm Here here... "All her children equally" as in the Proclaimation... so stop being mean to the gay ones...

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PolinDeB | Mar 20, 2011, 08:28 PM EDT

Wait till next year... David Norris, Irish president to march is the New York Parade...Of course to be accompanied by his male partner of 30 years. The bit everyone is waiting for is "will we have gay marraige" after all our President has to be respectfully married. ;0

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SCVMal | Mar 20, 2011, 01:57 PM EDT

New Irish Foreign Minister Eamon Gilmore has criticized New York St.Patrick's parade organizers for excluding Gays "What these parades are about is a celebration of Ireland and Irishness. I think they need to celebrate Ireland as it is, not as people imagine it. Equality is very much the center of who we are in our identity in Ireland." "This issue of exclusion is not Irish, let's be clear about it. Exclusion is not an Irish thing..... I think that's the message that needs to be driven home."

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SCVMal | Mar 20, 2011, 01:34 PM EDT

If discrimination against gay people in the US military can be realized and if DOMA is not supported anymore by the current Administration, the times, they ARE a-changing! The anti-gay bigots had better realize that the majority of Americans, like the majority of Irish are accepting people who happen to be gay! SLAINTE! BTW, one of the colors in the Rainbow flag is kelly green!

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katieherk | Mar 19, 2011, 08:59 PM EDT

Big loss! Actually this is a parade for Catholics, Irish, those who wish they were Catholic and wish they were Irish. Gays do not need to have a tag, if they're willing to march as the above individuals, they're more than welcome. Gays.... get a life and stop moaning, behave yourselves and you'll do just fine. good riddance to Christine Quinn! As if anyone cares if she marches!!!

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mrkennedy | Mar 19, 2011, 10:57 AM EDT

Wonderful! I look forward to her non-participation for the rest of her life!!

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Liamkeyes | Mar 19, 2011, 10:49 AM EDT

Next Year, I want to March. Is it ok if I get a Banner made up stating that I like the Colleens.?

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cillowen | Mar 19, 2011, 09:53 AM EDT

get to be tiring listening to stick it in one's face demented souls. gays have been marching for 250 years is a safe bet - but no - they want deviation to be normal behaviour for our children to absorb.

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PolinDeB | Mar 08, 2011, 11:37 PM EST

Why do they have to march as Gay? Why do I have to march as a Laois person or Save Tara person.. Gee it's who I am..

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dfyrts6sew3e4w2 | Mar 08, 2011, 11:26 PM EST

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dfyrts6sew3e4w2 | Mar 08, 2011, 11:26 PM EST

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SIIrishman | Mar 08, 2011, 09:33 PM EST

I think that all groups should have the right to march with a banner. The rules restrict flag be those of Ireland and USA. The issue is that an LGBT group was denied the right to represent who they are with a banner as they did in the Staten Island Columbus Day Parade in October 2010. We should all be treated equally. Look at the groups marching in the St. Pat's for All Parade. This is an inclusive parade. Of all the LGBT groups only one carried rainbow flags. The other were wearing green hats and waving the flag of Ireland. All had banners. That's the right thing to do. Why can't that happen on Staten Island and Manhattan? If the parade is a religious parade then the city funding must be returned. Let's all ask that the additional $3,000 the SI Borough President donated be returned.

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howareya | Mar 08, 2011, 05:43 PM EST

I don't get it. Why do they HAVE to march as gay Irish. Can they not just march as Irish with all the others? I don't see anyone insisting on marching as straight Irish. Aren't they just Irish/Irish-American....do they have to be segregated into Gay Irish? If that was required there would be heck to pay as well.

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REMITROMJR | Mar 08, 2011, 03:21 PM EST

" 'Don't Ask Don't Tell has been repealed. The military is no longer discriminating against LGBT people but yet parades in New York City are. It baffles the mind.' " Ms. Quinn seemingly can't distinguish between politicians caving to political correctness and PRIVATE groups exercising their Constitutional right of free association.

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scottymurph | Mar 08, 2011, 02:18 PM EST

GOOD !!...we don't need the likes of christine quinn here on S.I. starting trouble and looking for press and attention there are rules we all need to abide by, even the politicians !they (the gays) were told what the rules were and decided not to play by them. GOOD RIDENCE! thanks D.M. !!!!

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