Two candidates for a state Senate seat representing South Boston called Friday for the inclusion of gay and lesbian groups in the neighborhood’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, but the parade’s organizer said there are no plans to change its policies barring those groups.
Maureen Dahill, a Democrat and fourth-generation South Boston resident, and state Representative Linda Dorcena Forry, a Dorchester Democrat, released statements Friday saying the time has come to welcome lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender groups into the parade organized by the Allied War Veterans Council.
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I love South Boston! We can all learn something from Southies!
What about trannies? Shouldn't trannies be allowed to march in the St. Patrick's day parade? Don't they deserve their own float?
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You're right! They should; but only if they can have a special breakfast at your house first. I'm sure you're up for that, right, "Harry"?
And congressman Lynch will proudly march in it again.
I can't really tell if that is supposed to be criticism or praise for the likely next senator from Massachusetts? Why wouldn't he march in the parade?
Lynch is marching in Holyoke's parade which makes sense if he is seeking support from across the state. He can't be in 2 places at the same time so he will have many of his supporters marching in the parade on his behalf. I think it is a wise choice. No need to read into it.
"It's not that type of parade." What type is that? What exactly are the criteria for groups to participate?
They initially banned the LGBT group, because they stripped naked during the parade that is largely attended by children...it was the inappropriate behavior of few that ruined it for all...the group never apologized, just holds out that they are being victimized.
Don't the LBGT community realize they caused have more hate and discrimination by forcefully and arrogantly pushing their abberant life style down our throats! I had it!! I think most of America has had it! Shut your mouth and just be a decent person in your life ,job and society!! You won't have half the problems your having now!!! Your ridiculous demands are tyrannical and obnoxious!!
Sexual orientation or preference is an unseemly reason for any parade. How would San Francisco or Northampton feel about a hetero parade? They would think its a provocation.
Excellent! Your point is right on!!
This is open and shut. The Supreme Court ruled 9-0 in the Hurley case, 515 U.S. 557, with the liberal Justice Souter writing the opinion, that the parade organizers can legally restrict participants who want to convey a message different than the private organizers' own choosing and that making them do otherwise would violate the First Amendment.
and, what exactly is the private organizers' message? that Irish-Americans are bigots?? of all the immigrant groups, us Irish are the last who should post signs 'No Gays Need Apply' which is exactly the message intended and sent, loud and clear. this is pathetic.
Gays already march in the parade?! What don't you get? Gay men and women are not banned from the parade. It's the gay provocation and exploitation that is not part of the overall sentiment of the parade. The gay community are the only ones who are creating separation for themselves by having to stand out as being different...they are creating their own diversity. Just integrate into society as an equal...
Way to go, Maureen and Linda!
Nick, it's time to get on board, and break with this bigoted past. Will you make the case for inclusion?
To the 10 people who live in SB who still think it's 1972, look around. To say things have changed in SB is an understatement.
It's sad to me that the organizers of this parade choose to live in the past, and continue to support a bigoted decision, on that is not representative of the majority of people of South Boston. Get with it.
The parade should remain about celebrating St. Patrick, not about flaunting ones sexual preferences. All of the politicians who refuse to march in the parade, like Menino, probably aren't able to, don't want to and of course want all constituents to believe they have become empathetic to the cause of GLBT's, which is simply not true. What would they do if they never got reelected.?