By Michael Howard Saul And Sophia Hollander
The decision by organizers of the St. Patrick's Day Parade on
Fifth Avenue to permit one gay group to march next year drew praise
from many quarters, but some gay activists and elected officials
said the change wasn't sufficient and reflected inconsistencies in
the parade's policies.
Parade organizers said Wednesday that they invited one gay
organization, Out@NBCUniversal, a group of openly gay employees at
NBC, to march in next year's parade. Other gay groups may apply for
consideration in 2016, a spokesman for the parade organizers
said.
Mayor Bill de Blasio, who boycotted the parade this year because
of its policy on gay groups, described the announcement as progress
and a "step forward for inclusion." But Mr. de Blasio, the first
mayor in 20 years to boycott the event, said the city needs a
"truly inclusive parade" and he wouldn't make a decision on whether
to march next year until he learns more.
Roman Catholic Cardinal Timothy Dolan called the policy change
"wise" and said the parade organizers had his "confidence and
support."
It was the latest chapter for the city's oldest parade, which
was started in 1762 by homesick Irish soldiers stationed in the
colonies. Over the past two centuries, it has grown into one of the
largest parades in the world, drawing hundreds of thousands of
marchers and spectators to Midtown every year.
The announcement comes after decades of controversy and protests
over a policy that effectively prevented openly gay groups from
marching. The policy banned any displays of gay identification,
such as banners, flags and pins.
Last year, Guinness pulled its sponsorship a day before the
parade. Although all the funds had already been donated--and
weren't withdrawn--Guinness hadn't planned to contribute this year,
a spokeswoman said. She said the company is now "open to talking
with the organizers" about potentially restoring their sponsorship
this year.
Some gay activists said they hoped elected officials and others
would continue to boycott the parade until organizers permit full
inclusion. Others said they would join the NBC group if invited;
parade organizers have said the NBC group is free to invite anyone
to march as part of its contingent.
"It's a welcome baby step, but sadly it's still not enough,"
said state Sen. Brad Hoylman, a Manhattan Democrat who is openly
gay. "The fact is that Irish LGBT organizations are still not
permitted to march under their own banner in one of New York City's
most widely celebrated parades."
Emmaia Gelman, a spokeswoman for Irish Queers, an organization
that has protested the parade's policy on gay groups, said allowing
the NBC group, which isn't affiliated with Irish heritage, to march
demonstrates that parade organizers are more concerned with
corporate connections than its relationship with the Irish
community.
"My interest in marching in the St. Patrick's Day Parade is to
celebrate my identity and community as an Irish LGBT person," Ms.
Gelman said.
A spokesman for the parade said the organizers' long
relationship with NBC played a role in allowing the group to
participate. WNBC has broadcast the parade for many years.
Christine Quinn, a former City Council speaker who
unsuccessfully ran for mayor last year, said she and her
88-year-old father would march with the NBC group if invited. "This
is progress, and one can be both grateful and not fully satisfied
at the same time," said Ms. Quinn, who is openly gay.
Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League, said he would
accept the new policy, although he voiced disappointment that
organizers were "being forced by the moneyed interests to make
these changes," noting that some of the parade's corporate sponsors
recently withdrew.
Eileen Cronin, a retiree from Nassau County, stood up at a news
conference Wednesday evening and accused the organizers of "bending
to pressure" from the mayor and others. "I think it stinks because
then you are going to have everybody in creation wanting to march
down the avenue and it's going to turn the parade into a fiasco,"
she said.
As part of the change in policy, the organizers also will now
let a "pro-life" group march with a banner, said parade spokesman
William O'Reilly.
Asked if a group that supports abortion rights will be permitted
to march with a banner as well, Mr. O'Reilly was noncommittal.
"Anyone can apply," he said.
That drew criticism from some abortion rights groups. "We would
be concerned if the rules were written such that no pro-choice
groups could march," said Andrea Miller, president at NARAL
Pro-Choice New York.
Write to Michael Howard Saul at michael.saul@wsj.com and Sophia
Hollander at sophia.hollander@wsj.com
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