Task Force Calls on St. Patrick’s Day Parade Organizers to Immediately Lift the Ban on LGBTQ Groups’ Participation

WASHINGTON, DC, Sept. 4, 2014 —The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is calling on the organizers of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City not to delay its lifting of the ban of LGBTQ groups’ participation in the annual event.

“Every American should be able to proudly and openly celebrate their heritage, culture, and rich history regardless of who they are or who they love.

“And, while we are delighted to hear that the organizers of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade plan on dismantling the poorly conceived barrier singling out LGBTQ people, we are disappointed to learn that only one LGBTQ group will be allowed to march during next year’s parade — denying organizations such as the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force the opportunity to openly and genuinely participate in the celebration.

“As we know very well, in the not too distant past, Irish immigrants like many other groups in this country have faced harassment, discrimination , and inequality simply because of who they are. The unfair and continued exclusion of a group of people from participating in public events was wrong then and it is wrong now.

“We look forward to the day when LGBTQ Americans of Irish heritage and the LGBTQ community as a whole will be able to proudly and openly take part in the iconic St. Patrick’s Day Parade as other New Yorkers already do.”

— Mark Daley, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

Born in Northern Ireland, Daley immigrated to the United States in 1994.

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Media Contacts:
Mark Daley
Chief Communications and Marketing Officer
(Office) 202.639.6325
(Cell) 202.379.8318
mdaley@thetaskforce.org

Jorge Amaro
Media and Public Relations Director
(Office) 202.639.6306
(Cell) 213.842.7564
jamaro@thetaskforce.org