AN IRISH LGBT group will march in the New York St Patrick’s Day parade for the first time in 2016.
A majority of the parade’s board voted to allow the Lavender and Green Alliance to join the parade under their own banner in the year that marks the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising.
The organisation, founded by Drogheda native Brendan Fay, has had its application to participate in the parade rejected every year since 1994.
Following the decision, Fay said: "We have been on a long and winding road to equality, a road marked by painful exclusion and years of protests and arrests.
"With the decision we are transformed from cultural outsiders to insiders who can share the St Patrick's Day parade, a vital expression of our heritage and culture."
He added: "It will be a great day for the Irish diaspora and for all New Yorkers as we will honour the centenary of the 1916 Rising together.
"Marching with our Lavender and Green Alliance — Muintir Aerach na hÉireann banner, the words from the 1916 proclamation, 'cherishing all the children of the nation equally', will be real and meaningful."
Lavender and Green Alliance founder Brendan Fay with then New York mayor Michael Bloomberg at the 2003 St Pat's For All parade (Picture: Getty)The decision follows the inclusion of an American group — Out@NBCUniversal, an LGBT group for employees of the media company — in this year’s parade, the first time an LGBT group has been allowed to participate.
Before this, gay people could march in the parade — held for over 250 years — but without banners disclosing their sexual orientation.
High-profile sponsor Guinness withdrew its support for the event in 2014 due to the exclusion of LGBT groups in the parade, before returning this year following Out@NBCUniversal’s admission.
However New York mayor Bill De Blasio boycotted the event for the second year running this year for the same reason — the first mayor to miss the parade in two decades. It is not clear if he will participate in the 2016 event.
Di Blasio has however taken part in the St Pat’s For All parade — an alternative event co-founded by Fay in 2000 which holds a parade in Queens every March that is open to everyone irrespective of race, gender, creed or sexual orientation.
Earlier this year Ireland became the first country in the world to recognise same-sex marriage by popular vote.
Finally! An Irish LGBT group is to march in New York's St Patrick's Parade. Congrats to Brendan Fay and all involved! http://t.co/LHe3iiD0bH
— Dr Panti Bliss-Cabrera (@PantiBliss) September 29, 2015
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