LGBT Groups Proudly March In New York’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade

It was an Irish Pride Parade!
From: NewNowNext

For the first time in its history, the New York St. Patrick’s Day Parade welcomed LGBT groups to march under their own banners.

After 25 years of protest, LGBT group will march in NYC #StPatrick's parade https://t.co/LpqMxFPx5D pic.twitter.com/GK8HnepoEg

— Talking Points Memo (@TPM) March 17, 2016

Two weeks ago, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio, who also marched in the parade, posted an image on Instagram that said “Let’s March Together” in rainbow colors with a shamrock.

New York City just got a little bit better. The organizers of the St. Patrick's Day Parade have fully dropped their longstanding ban on allowing gay groups to march under their own banners. This parade is a New York City tradition, but for years Irish LGBT New Yorkers could not show their pride. Finally, they can celebrate their heritage by marching in a parade that now represents progress and equality. New York wouldn’t be New York without the contribution of Irish New Yorkers, and today they have another reason to be proud of that contribution.

A photo posted by Bill de Blasio (@billdeblasio) on Mar 2, 2016 at 5:26pm PST

The Mayor posted this comment along with his picture:

“New York City just got a little bit better. The organizers of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade have fully dropped their longstanding ban on allowing gay groups to march under their own banners. This parade is a New York City tradition, but for years Irish LGBT New Yorkers could not show their pride. Finally, they can celebrate their heritage by marching in a parade that now represents progress and equality.”

During the parade de Blasio also posted other pictures of LGBT marchers from the location “St. Pats For All 2016.”

“I look forward to crossing the historic threshold on Fifth Avenue with my brothers and sisters. It’s the moment we’ve been waiting for,” said Brendan Fay, a founder of the Irish LGBT group Lavender and Green Alliance. “The road to inclusion and equality rises to welcome and embrace us all.”

Check out pictures from the parade below and celebrate the LGBT community finally being able to proudly march in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Happy St. Pats for all! 🍀💚🇮🇪 #Equality #LGBTQ #LGBT

A photo posted by Gay Officers Action League NYC (@goalny) on Mar 6, 2016 at 2:36pm PST

We were so happy to meet the Mayor of NYC @billdeblasio today! Thank you so much for saying hi! #stpatsforall #equality #newyorkcity @nycmayorsoffice

A photo posted by @courtnayg on Mar 6, 2016 at 2:58pm PST

#HappyStPatricksDay Off to see the parade in New York, for the first time including LGBT groups #paddysdayforall pic.twitter.com/dZhaQMU8uu

— Carmel Crimmins (@carmelcrimmins) March 17, 2016