New York St Pats Parade - Gays need not apply

[bshole]

There appears to be some blowback on the ban on openly gay groups participating in the St Pats Day parade.

So is this a case of an Irish festival wanting to keep ALL politics out of a celebration of Irish heritage OR is this more oppression of a minority group? I suspect gays goups may eventually get into the parade, money is a prime mover.

Guinness is the latest beer giant to withdraw its support for a St. Patrick's Day parade because lesbian and gay groups aren't allowed to march openly.

The beer maker late Sunday announced its decision to drop its sponsorship of Monday's parade in New York City.

Over the weekend, gay rights icon Stonewall Inn had threatened to stop selling Guinness beer if the company continued to sponsor the parade. And LGBT advocacy group GLAAD had planned an anti-Guinness event on Monday.
"
We were hopeful that the policy of exclusion would be reversed for this year's parade," Guinness said in a statement. "As this has not come to pass, Guinness has withdrawn its participation."

http://money.cnn.com/2014/03/16/pf/guinness-parade/

 

[Blackjack200]

"If you want to create space for gay folks to meet and work on homophobia, straight supremacy, and straight privilege to better our city and yourselves, please feel free to do just that"

 

[MrPickins]

"If you want to create space for gay folks to meet and work on homophobia, straight supremacy, and straight privilege to better our city and yourselves, please feel free to do just that"

Not sure I could have thought of a more asinine response if I tried. :thumbsdown:

 

[Drako]

Sometimes it's not all about being gay.

 

[smackababy]

What exactly does banning openly gay parade participants have to do with "wanting to keep ALL politics out of a celebration of Irish heritage"?

I am glad Guinness pulled out support. No organized event that discludes people for such asinine reason as their sexuality deserves the support of no one.

 

[bshole]

What exactly does banning openly gay parade participants have to do with "wanting to keep ALL politics out of a celebration of Irish heritage"?

I am glad Guinness pulled out support. No organized event that discludes people for such asinine reason as their sexuality deserves the support of no one.

The parade technically allows gay groups to march but bans signs and placards regarding sexual orientation.

 

[OCGuy]

Everyone involved in this matter is exercising free speech so far, as is their right. The system is working as it should.

There is no need to pretend gays were banned, however. You don't need to mislead people to argue your position.

 

[CLite]

So is this section of the LGBT community simply trying to participate in every parade under the sun with banners supporting LGBT and if the event declines they are attacked as anti-LGBT?

I really don't understand how a section of a St. Patties day parade waving LGBT banners fits the theme. I normally see bagpipers, local school marching bands, fire trucks, cop cars, maybe some Irish dancers, nothing about sexual orientation.

If the parade didn't let LGBT people participate as bagpipers/marching bands/dancers/etc I would see that as very offensive. However, I don't see them refusing LGBT outfits or LGBT banners as particularly offensive. I don't think the parade would let me march in a storm trooper outfit, are they against Star Wars?

 

[BUnit1701]

So is this section of the LGBT community simply trying to participate in every parade under the sun with banners supporting LGBT and if the event declines they are attacked as anti-LGBT?

I really don't understand how a section of a St. Patties day parade waving LGBT banners fits the theme. I normally see bagpipers, local school marching bands, fire trucks, cop cars, maybe some Irish dancers, nothing about sexual orientation.

If the parade didn't let LGBT people participate as bagpipers/marching bands/dancers/etc I would see that as very offensive. However, I don't see them refusing LGBT outfits or LGBT banners as particularly offensive. I don't think the parade would let me march in a storm trooper outfit, are they against Star Wars?

But Star Wars cosplay enthusiasts aren't a protected class!!!!1! /librulrage

 

[rpsgc]

So is this section of the LGBT community simply trying to participate in every parade under the sun with banners supporting LGBT and if the event declines they are attacked as anti-LGBT?

I really don't understand how a section of a St. Patties day parade waving LGBT banners fits the theme. I normally see bagpipers, local school marching bands, fire trucks, cop cars, maybe some Irish dancers, nothing about sexual orientation.

If the parade didn't let LGBT people participate as bagpipers/marching bands/dancers/etc I would see that as very offensive. However, I don't see them refusing LGBT outfits or LGBT banners as particularly offensive. I don't think the parade would let me march in a storm trooper outfit, are they against Star Wars?

How dare you try to use logic! Bad CLite, bad!

 

[bshole]

So is this section of the LGBT community simply trying to participate in every parade under the sun with banners supporting LGBT and if the event declines they are attacked as anti-LGBT?

I really don't understand how a section of a St. Patties day parade waving LGBT banners fits the theme. I normally see bagpipers, local school marching bands, fire trucks, cop cars, maybe some Irish dancers, nothing about sexual orientation.

If the parade didn't let LGBT people participate as bagpipers/marching bands/dancers/etc I would see that as very offensive. However, I don't see them refusing LGBT outfits or LGBT banners as particularly offensive. I don't think the parade would let me march in a storm trooper outfit, are they against Star Wars?

Actually they do let storm troopers march..... lol!

 

[smackababy]

So is this section of the LGBT community simply trying to participate in every parade under the sun with banners supporting LGBT and if the event declines they are attacked as anti-LGBT?

I really don't understand how a section of a St. Patties day parade waving LGBT banners fits the theme. I normally see bagpipers, local school marching bands, fire trucks, cop cars, maybe some Irish dancers, nothing about sexual orientation.

If the parade didn't let LGBT people participate as bagpipers/marching bands/dancers/etc I would see that as very offensive. However, I don't see them refusing LGBT outfits or LGBT banners as particularly offensive. I don't think the parade would let me march in a storm trooper outfit, are they against Star Wars?

I didn't go to the parade in Chicago this year, but last year they had a group of DeLoreans. There isn't really a "theme" other than: pay X amount of dollars to the organization so you can sponsor a float.

The fact is if they specifically banned banners or signs with "replease law X" or "support prop Y", it looks like a knee jerk "omg, they won't let us use this as a political platform, and therefore hate gays" reaction. If they specifically banned things actually concerning gays or denied the float sponsors because of their sexual orientation / political affiliation with LBGT communities, then they deserve all the hate they are getting.

With that said, last year, I did see political candidates with floats campaigning in the Chicago parade.

 

[Retro Rob]

So, the parade won't be allowed to be turned into a pro-gay demonstration?

 

[Blackjack200]

Actually they do let storm troopers march..... lol!

That wasn't the answer he was looking for.

 

[CPA]

The parade technically allows gay groups to march but bans signs and placards regarding sexual orientation.

Which begs the question, why, in a St. Pats day parade, are LGBT groups wanting to parade with signs and placards regarding their sexual orientation?

 

[CitizenKain]

So, the parade won't be allowed to be turned into a pro-gay demonstration?

No, only standard rightwing pro-hatred platforms are allowed.

 

[MomentsofSanity]

Which begs the question, why, in a St. Pats day parade, are LGBT groups wanting to parade with signs and placards regarding their sexual orientation?

You ever see a float or group in a parade that wasn't identified?

 

[Retro Rob]

No, only standard rightwing pro-hatred platforms are allowed.

Gays aren't banned...the parade isn't about what sexual orientation you are.

Why should it matter? Just have some drinks, have some fun, and not turn it into a political issue.

 

[peonyu]

The parade technically allows gay groups to march but bans signs and placards regarding sexual orientation.

That makes sense to me, its a parade about being Irish, not about being gay. If they allowed gay pride signs then they would have to also allow the religious right to display anti-gay signs...It would completely water down the parade and turn it into a political BS parade, save the gay pride signs for the gay pride marches.

 

[momeNt]

Not everything needs to be a platform for your own personal beliefs.

 

[BoomerD]

Sheesh...what's next? Are the gay pride parade organizers going to ban the Westboro Baptists from participating in their parades?

 

[peonyu]

Sheesh...what's next? Are the gay pride parade organizers going to ban the Westboro Baptists from participating in their parades?

Thats not a good comparison, how about straight-Black Pride folks marching in a gay pride parade and making a stink about it and yelling about how being black is so great ? It just doesnt belong there in a gay pride parade. Save the gay pride banter for YOUR parade..


The comparison you are making, is more along the lines of a group that hates Irish people protesting the St.Paddys day parade.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

I don't even get why this is a problem at this time. Let the gay groups in, simply make it known that this is not meant to be a political exercise and review what the parade participants want to wear/display and let them know if its appropriate or not. A few guys and/or girls holding hands plus a simple sign should not be an issue at this time.
Also expecting to be in the parade but essentially wanting to hijack it with over the top signage, rhetoric or dress is not proper either and you should expect to be banned or removed.

 

[CLite]

Actually they do let storm troopers march..... lol!

haha, awesome find

Well if the parade is letting everything in then excluding only LGBT is pretty bigoted. I still don't think it's against the law because they are letting LGBTs participate, just limiting the type of displays, but still bigoted and vulnerable to boycotts.

I was just thinking from the parades I have seen that were generally pretty well themed and I could understand them not wanting to go off in crazy directions.

 

[smackababy]

haha, awesome find

Well if the parade is letting everything in then excluding only LGBT is pretty bigoted. I still don't think it's against the law because they are letting LGBTs participate, just limiting the type of displays, but still bigoted and vulnerable to boycotts.

I was just thinking from the parades I have seen that were generally pretty well themed and I could understand them not wanting to go off in crazy directions.

I think a problem is that, and I can't speak for the NY parade specifically, a lot of floats are sponsored by political groups / members coming up for reelection. They plaster their name and face on something and send it forth. It isn't a problem, but when a LBGT group does the same, it becomes an issue. If the parade bans all political signs and references, then that is one thing, but if they are selecting this issue as where they selectively apply the "no politics" then it is a bias.