Gay rights group okayed to march in Boston St. Patrick’s Day parade

[unhappycamper]

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/03/01/gay-rights-group-okayed-to-march-in-boston-st-patricks-day-parade/



Gay rights group okayed to march in Boston St. Patrick’s Day parade
By Reuters
Saturday, March 1, 2014 21:52 EST
By Jonathan Allen

(Reuters) – A gay rights group will be allowed to march in Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day parade, event organizers said on Saturday, reversing a 20-year-long stance after the city’s new mayor intervened.

It was unclear, however, if marchers from MassEquality, one of the largest gay rights advocacy groups in Massachusetts, would be permitted to carry signs or use slogans identifying themselves as gay men and women, which may yet prove a sticking point.

“We don’t ban gays, we just want to keep the parade an Irish parade,” Tim Duross, the lead organizer of the parade that celebrates the city’s Irish heritage and honors military veterans, said in a telephone interview on Saturday.

He cited parade rules banning political protest and references to sexual orientation, suggesting that MassEquality was established enough not to have to explain who they are.


unhappycamper comment: The Veterans For Peace portion of this parade is assembling at the intersection of D Street and Broadway again this year. If you don't like the Allied War Veterans' rules (no signs) join us.

Last year Menino gave us the finger. Theoretically we were supposed to march one mile behind the 'main' parade but before the street sweepers - last year we were 3 1/2 miles behind the parade AND the street sweepers. One of the sweepers broke down and we were able to get some nice pics with the Smedley Butler chapter in the middle of the street.

Total distance for the parade is around 4 miles or so.