Staten Island St. Patrick's Parade to include LGBTQ+ groups in 2025
STATEN ISLAND - The Richmond County St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee will allow LGBTQ+ groups to march in the parade this year for the first time in its 60-year history.
Now, they will be able to walk with pride in honor of Irish heritage.
"As a proud out lesbian mom, wife, and advocate who was raised Irish-Catholic in Staten Island, this win is especially heartening. LGBTQ people are building families and thriving in all of our communities; and we should be free to celebrate who we are without apology in the place we call home," President & CEO of GLAAD Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement. "This victory has been long in the making, and I’m grateful to those who made it possible through their relentless advocacy and visibility."
This year's parade will take place on March 2, 2025.
"There are strongly held beliefs on both sides of what was a controversial issue and no longer is. People feel strongly, not everyone is happy, it's a joyful, vibrant day, and we're moving forward," Staten Island St. Patrick's Day Parade chair Ed Patterson said.
"I have to say that words cannot describe how happy I am, but I could tell you one thing, I have never been so proud to be a Staten Islander than I am today," Carol Bullock said.
The committee is reminding participants that the focus of the parade is on St. Patrick's Day, the history, and the culture of the Irish people. Council member David Carr has advocated inclusion for years.
"As a Staten Islander and as a gay man, I could not be more thrilled to see the annual St. Patrick's Day now including the Pride Center," Carr said.
Last year, Staten Island held its first inclusive St. Patrick's Day Parade in March after excluding the LGBTQ community for years.
Spectators cheer as the Staten Island Pride Center, a community and activism center for the local LGBTQ community, marches for the first time in the Staten Island St Patricks Day Parade, March 17, 2024, on Forest Avenue in the Staten Island borough
For years, The Pride Center of Staten Island and the Gay Officers Action League tried signing up to participate but were denied.
In the past, gay, lesbian, and transgender New Yorkers could walk in the parade – just not under their own banner.
One year the parade application read in bold letters: "THE PARADE IS NOT TO BE USED FOR AND WILL NOT ALLOW POLITICAL OR SEXUAL IDENTIFICATION AGENDAS TO BE PROMOTED."
The Staten Island Business Outreach Center claimed they didn't want sexual identification or political agendas to be promoted in these kinds of events.