Read more: Gay groups welcome Mary McAleese’s stand over NYC St. Patrick’s Day parade

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"Don't Ask Don't Tell has been repealed.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."
 

Read more: Gay groups welcome Mary McAleese’s stand over NYC St. Patrick’s Day parade