Irish govt reps give NYC bigots a stern message!

Irish Parliamentarians call for inclusion of LGBT organisations and banners in NY St. Patricks Day Parade

 http://t.co/5K4Iy5QNEX

A cross party message of support has been sent by Irish parliamentarians calling for the inclusion of LGBT banners and organisations in the New York St. Patricks Day Parade.

Deputy John Halligan (Member of Parliament – Independent); Senator Averil Power (Fianna Fail Party) Senator Ivana Bacik (Labour Party) Deputy Jerry Buttimer (Member of Parliament – Fine Gael) recorded a message in front of the Irish Parliament Building, Leinster House this week.

The message refers to Ireland as a diverse and inclusive society and calls on for the inclusion of LGBT banners and organisations in the NY St. Patricks Day Parade in Manhattan.  The deputies and Senators send greetings to the St. Pat’s for All Parade taking place in Queens on March 2 - this alternative event includes and welcomes all who wish to march.

This is the first time in 23 years of exclusion of LGBT organisations from the NY parade that a cross party grouping of parliamentarians have made such a statement.  A government minister has refused to attend the parade this year in protest at the exclusion.  Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny has said he will march in the parade if he is in New York.
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Excerpted transcript:

As TDs and Senators from the four largest groupings in Leinster House, we are committed to full equality for LGBT people.

We are proud of the huge progress that Ireland has made toward becoming a fully inclusive republic that cherishes all the children of the nation equally.

And we strongly believe that the diversity and inclusiveness of today's Ireland should be reflected in all St Patrick's Day festivities at home, and aboad.

Everyone should be able to participate in all events, irrespective of their sexual orientation, gender, creed, or color.

Bacik: We believe that it is wrong to exclude Irish American LGBT banners and members of the Irish American LGBT community from the main New York City St Patrick's Day parade.

Power: It is discriminatory, unfair, and completely out of touch with the values of modern Ireland.