A spokesperson for New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced that two St. Patrick's Day parades will be held on Staten Island this year, one of which will include LQBTQ, the New York Times (NYT) reported.
This dual parade solution came in the wake of years of disagreement between the original parade organizers and LQBTQ activists. Parade organizers have long argued that gay advocacy groups should not be included in a parade celebrating the feast day of Ireland's patron saint, arguing that gay advocacy groups have no place in a parade commemorating a Catholic saint. The outlet reported.
“Our parade celebrates Irish tradition and culture. This is not a parade for political or sexual identification purposes,” Larry Cummings, original Staten Island Parade chairman, previously said. Ta. Said Irish voice.
The parade is reportedly known for discouraging the participation of individuals advocating for LQBTQ causes, including Miss Staten Island winner Madison Linsalata, who later came out as bisexual. ing.
Miss Staten Island comes out as bisexual and gets kicked out of St. Patrick's Day parade https://t.co/FopRjSfERI pic.twitter.com/EwciSZmJfs
— New York Post (@nypost) March 1, 2020
Two parades will reportedly be held in the borough to circumvent the original parade organizers' resistance to the LQBTQ group. The original parade will be held on March 2nd, and the LQBTQ parade will be held on the actual day of the saint's feast day, March 17th. The newspaper said Mayor Adams had boycotted the event in the past, but his office announced he would participate in the March 17 parade. (Related: Video highlights deception allegations against Catholic cathedral that welcomed them)
Kayla Mamelak, a spokeswoman for Mayor Adams, said, “We welcome anyone interested to march with us, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, or creed,” the NYT reported. .
“We are so happy to be able to bring this parade back for the Staten Island community,” said Carol Brock, executive director of the Pride Center of Staten Island, who has been trying to get groups to participate in the parade for years. reportedly said. “Finally, I will be marching down Forest Avenue with my staff, board, supporters and banners to celebrate our Irish heritage.”
As previously reported, LQBTQ activists recently condemned the funeral of transgender sex worker Cecilia Gentili at New York City's St. Patrick's Cathedral as “blasphemous,” according to the New York Post. and demanded an apology from the cathedral. In her eulogy at her funeral, Catholic saints were reportedly mocked.
🚨Anti-Catholic trans “activist” group mocks Christian faith inside St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York:
“You whore,” the mob held a funeral service for transgender atheist prostitute Cecilia Gentili, praising her as a “whore.” This wonderful whore. pic.twitter.com/7w0wmifzkH
— Catholic Vote (@CatholicVote) February 16, 2024
“You whore. You wonderful whore. Saint Cecilia, mother of all whores!” she said, referring to Gentili while mocking Christian martyr Saint Cecilia, according to the video. The cathedral said it had no knowledge that the funeral was for a transgender person and that the ceremony was carried out in a “deceptive manner”.
