STATEN ISLAND, NY — New York City does not stand for exclusion and discrimination, yet the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the organizing committee of the Staten Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade continues to discriminate against LGBTQ+ groups by not allowing them to march in the parade. The undersigned community leaders call upon the City of New York to suspend the use of public funds for the Staten Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade until the organizing committee stops discriminating against marginalized groups when choosing which organizations march in the parade.
Since 2011, the Pride Center of Staten Island and other LGBTQ+ groups have been systematically denied the ability to march in the parade, and it is long past time the City of New York put a stop to this discrimination. Issuing a permit to an organization that has consistently discriminated against LGBTQ+ groups is unacceptable, and the use of public funds for this event must be put to a stop if the group is going to continue to discriminate.
Gay Pride Parade. Image Credit – Mercedes Mehling
This year, the Pride Center of Staten Island, NYPD GOAL and FDNY Fire Flag were all once again denied marching in the parade by the parade organizers on Sunday, Feb. 20.
We will be having a press conference before the start of the St. Patrick’s Day parade at the beginning of the parade route on Forest Avenue and Hart Blvdon Sunday, March 6 at 11:00 AM.
After the press conference, we will be having our Annual Rainbow Run down the Staten Island Athletic Club (SIAC) Forest Avenue Mile, as well as lining the streets with rainbows and signs supporting LGBTQ+ inclusion.
A little St. Patty’s Day crafting. Image Credit – Cooking Cinderella
“Even in 2022, members of the LGBTQ+ community are continuing to have our identities swept under the rug and prevented from enjoying the same privileges as our straight counterparts,” said NYC Council Member Lynn Schulman. “It is disheartening that The Staten Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade organizers have decided to exclude some of their neighbors and community members in an event that should be open to all.”
You can find relevant coverage from the past 11 years press here.
The undersigned community leaders call upon the City of New York to suspend the use of public funds for the Staten Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade until the organizing committee stops discriminating against marginalized groups when choosing which organizations march in the parade.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
she/her
US Senator for NY State
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams
he/him
NYC Public Advocate
Comptroller Brad Lander
he/him
NYC Comptroller
Council Member Crystal Hudson
she/her
NYC City Council Member, District 35
Council Member Lynn Schulman
she/her
NYC City Council Member, District 29
Justin Sanchez
he/him
President, Stonewall Democrats NYC
Nicholas Tamborra
he/him
President, Lambda Independent Democrats
Allen Roskoff
he/him
Jim Owles Democratic Club
Jasi Robinson
she/her
AD 61 District Leader
Derek Gaskill
he/him
President, Lambda Independent Democrats
Émilia Decaudin
she/her
AD 37A State Committee Member & District Leader
Rose Christ
She/Her
Past President, Stonewall Democrats NYC
Dr. Regina D. Cassidy
she/her
Chaplain
Melisa Sklarz
she/her
AD 30 State Committee Member & District Leader
Lewis Goldstein
he/him
NYS Democratic Committee
Vice Chair, Bronx Democratic Committee
Julio Peña III
he/they
AD 51 State Committee Member & District Leader
Brian Romero
he/him
Past President, Stonewall Democrats NYC
Kelly Villar
she/her
Founder, Staten Island Urban Center
Marianne Brennick
she/her
Staten Island Community Leader
Michael Mulgrew
he/him
President, United Federation of Teachers
Jeremiah Jurkiewicz
he/him
Staten Island Community Leader
Marcy Carr
she/her
Global Advisory Council, InterPride; District VP United States Associations of Pride; Regional Director Northeast Region of Pride (USA)
Andrew Savage
he/him
Past President, Young Democrats of Richmond County
Rosemary F, Palladino, Esq.
she/her
Staten Island Community Leader
Rev. Karen Jackson
she/her
Co-Chair, Staten Island Inter-Religious Leadership
Dominick Derubbio
he/him
Past President, Young Democrats of Richmond County
Danny Harris
He/Him
Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives
Sally Jones
she/her
Chair, Peace Action Fund of New York State
Vanessa-Renee Mical
she/her
Democratic Party County Committee Member
Scott Van Campen & DB Lampman
Owners, Makerspace NYC
Stephanie Ward
She/her
Staten Island Women Who March
Rose Uscianowski
she/her
Staten Island Community Activists
Yesenia Mata
she/her
Executive Director, La Colmena NYC
Cesar Varga
he/him
Michael De Vito Jr.
he/him
Executive Director, New York Center for Interpersonal Development, Inc.
I don’t even know what to say. It’s just a F****G parade! If you’re LGBTQ don’t sweat it. This parade SUCKS anyway. Do something worthwhile that day other than be around a bunch of judgemental SAINTS. Saints? Are they, really?
The gall that they exclude ANYONE! Let them keep their lame parade!!
It really shows how much they JUDGE (just like Jesus said not to?! lol). So, like, none of the holier-than-though Hibernians ever cheated on their wife? Ever lied? Stole? THEY say gay is a sin. OK. That is their right to believe that and interpret Scripture that way. Fine. That is their legal right.
But not in public, spreading that message in a public parade. C’mon. And, it’s just sooo judgemental. We all have an LGBTQ person in our family or circle of friends. If the Pope can extend a hand in friendship to gay people, why can’t average Catholics?
Don’t pretend it’s about the Faith. It’s about hatred of gay people. No one is perfect. Yet these people throw many large stones.
I am not gay but I understand the plight. Being excluded. In the end, it’s better to just go and do your own thing. Some people are just full of hate. Let he without sins throw the first stones. I am not into LGBQ culture, and I think modesty is best, gay or straight, but I am not trying to live in a Christian version of Sharia law. So, do your thing. Be free. But just remember to be the best version of yourself. That you can be.
I don’t even know what to say. It’s just a F****G parade! If you’re LGBTQ don’t sweat it. This parade SUCKS anyway. Do something worthwhile that day other than be around a bunch of judgemental SAINTS. Saints? Are they, really?
The gall that they exclude ANYONE! Let them keep their lame parade!!
It really shows how much they JUDGE (just like Jesus said not to?! lol). So, like, none of the holier-than-though Hibernians ever cheated on their wife? Ever lied? Stole? THEY say gay is a sin. OK. That is their right to believe that and interpret Scripture that way. Fine. That is their legal right.
But not in public, spreading that message in a public parade. C’mon. And, it’s just sooo judgemental. We all have an LGBTQ person in our family or circle of friends. If the Pope can extend a hand in friendship to gay people, why can’t average Catholics?
Don’t pretend it’s about the Faith. It’s about hatred of gay people. No one is perfect. Yet these people throw many large stones.
I am not gay but I understand the plight. Being excluded. In the end, it’s better to just go and do your own thing. Some people are just full of hate. Let he without sins throw the first stones. I am not into LGBQ culture, and I think modesty is best, gay or straight, but I am not trying to live in a Christian version of Sharia law. So, do your thing. Be free. But just remember to be the best version of yourself. That you can be.