The New York City Saint Patrick's Day Parade Lacks True Irish Pride

I used to love St. Patrick's Day. Growing up in an Irish-American household, my mother passed the traditions of soda bread and wearing green that her father instilled in her on to me. We would attend the New York City Parade and smile at those with authentic brogues. As a child it was a pure and joyous holiday. Fast forward two decades and St. Patrick's Day in the United States, New York in particular, has morphed into an uber political showcase for bigotry, buffoonery and boozing. This change saddens me more than even I care to publicly admit.

Edward Cardinal Egan, leader of the New York Archdiocese, declared this year's parade the most diverse in city history. Is he kidding? City Speaker of the House Christine Quinn is certainly not laughing. Quinn, one of the more respected officials in Big Apple politics, proudly accepted an invitation to march in the Dublin parade boycotting the New York event being gays and lesbians are not permitted to participate under their own banner. There is a prevailing notion among some involved in the New York parade including the Ancient Order of Hibernians and parade organizer John Dunleavy that no one group should dominate the parade. Yet how can they justify denying gay Irish-Americans from marching when they allow groups with no discernable link to Irish culture like high school bands and Spanish dancers to march? If the parade were privately funded, then the Hibernians and Dunleavy would have cause to run their parade as they saw fit. However, the event is public and a lobbyist's dream or nightmare depending on personal opinion. Banning gays is blatant discrimination, a shame carried out by those directly involved with the parade and those marchers who silently disagree with the views of the Hibernians and Dunleavy.