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IMO the only reason LGBT groups are excluded from participation just boils down to one: The parade organizers are hidebound and are clinging to their reactionary views.
And that position looks more untenable with each passing year. It’s more in line with Putin’s Russia than New York. A few dozen people with a rainbow banner is no big deal. It may have been an issue 10 years ago, but the city, and much of the country, has moved on.
The analogy isn't equivalent, not at all, because you (and the Hibernians) imply that to be Irish is to be heterosexual or homophobic. Christine Quinn (who is both Irish and gay) would be the antithesis of that.
Straight lifestyles are default in society anyway.
The analogy is equivalent. The parade is a salute to Irish heritage. It's not a parade to salute if your straight or gay.
I disagree, it's not a matter of participation, but the need to showcase (i.e. via banners, signs etc) by sending a message that makes it appear as if they were trying to upstage the event. I think gays, or anyone that is interested in participating within the scope of the celebration should be allowed to.
If a Chinese American (using your example) wanted to march in the St. Patty's Day parade decorated in green and other items that fit within the theme of the event--then great.
Do I think you should be able to dress in traditional Chinese clothes, and hold signs written in Mandarin in the middle of that parade in order to feel included?--well no, atleast not at the discretion of the parade's committee. I'd feel the same way if it were the reverse as well.
Well, I disagree. You can be gay AND whatever other identity and participate. The fact that one might think it's about "upstaging" probably means that the organizers are insecure in their identity OR that they're just plain reactionary homophobic.
Again, in SF, plenty of gay groups march with their group identity and nobody thinks they're upstaging or diluting the spirit of the Chinese Lunar New Year parade. Maybe we're a bit more enlightened about it over here on the West Coast. Or at least the organizers are.
And that position looks more untenable with each passing year. It’s more in line with Putin’s Russia than New York. A few dozen people with a rainbow banner is no big deal. It may have been an issue 10 years ago, but the city, and much of the country, has moved on.
No one ever stopped Christine Quinn from marching with the politicians. She chose not to participate. Ed Koch marched every year, and always received a warm welcome from the crowd. Nothing about him Irish, except his Aran sweater. He never flaunted his sexuality, and no one else did, either.
The organizers of the Orange County Vietnamese Tet Parade relented and allowed LGBT groups, formerly excluded, to participate as a group. That's the thing, as a group.
If the Vietnamese (who are by no means liberal) can do it, why can't the Irish in NY?
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