Just because the LGBT community is essentially being blackballed from the annual South Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade doesn’t mean they’re going to let the Irish holiday pass them by. On the contrary, in fact. They’ll be hosting their own shindig, aptly dubbed the “LGBT and Allies St. Patrick’s Day Celebration,” at Stella in the South End from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
In attendance will be a handful of local politicos, including state Treasurer and gubernatorial candidate Steve Grossman and State Auditor Suzanne Bump. Boston City Councilor Josh Zakim will headline the event.
Now in its fifth year, “LGBT an Allies” was launched by Jeff Ross to help reinforce the harsh reality that the LGBT community still faces exclusion and discrimination, even during holidays like St. Patrick’s Day, where the primary objective is for people to simply enjoy themselves.
Ross ran for a Boston City Council At-Large seat in 2013 but was unable to secure it.
“Since we first put this together with the help of former City Councilor Felix Arroyo, and City Councilor Ayanna Pressley, this event has served as a reminder of the work we still have to do in Boston to make sure that there is no discrimination left in our communities,” said Ross in a statement.
Mayor Walsh has led on this issue by pushing for LGBT inclusion in the parade. Although it wasn’t successful this year, I’m proud of the work he and MassEquality did by creating a dialogue where none has existed for decades. We are talking about who and when, rather than if there will be inclusion and this is progress.
Mayor Walsh has attempted to broker smoother relations between those excluded from marching in the parade and the Allied War Veterans Council – the parade’s organizers – who are upholding the strict tradition of banning any political advocacy or cause message on marchers’ banners or clothing.
MassEquality, the LGBT advocacy group spearheading the charge, has expressed that not only should they be able to march and promote their message of acceptance and respect, but that the Allied War Veterans don’t even recognize them as a legitimate organization.
“Even in Boston, this fight is not yet over, as once again the Allied War Veterans Council has chosen to discriminate against our city’s LGBT community in the Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade,” said Councilor Josh Zakim in a statement. “I stand in solidarity with the LGBT community and wholeheartedly condemn their exclusion from what should be an event for all to celebrate.”
This St. Patrick’s Day, Go Bragh or Go Home. Join us on March 14th from 6 – 9pm at Ned Devine’s and kick off your weekend at #BostInnoGoBragh. Get your tickets now, and enjoy your first beer on us. See you there!
