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Gay rainbow banners make debut at Boston St Paddy's parade
Sunday, March 15, 2015 ELIZABETH BARBER FOR REUTERS
BOSTON (Reuters) – For the first time in the 114-year history of Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day parade, gay rights activists marched openly on Sunday under rainbow banners in the city’s annual celebration of its Irish heritage, after organizers lifted a longtime ban.
Two groups, Boston Pride and OutVets, were among dozens of contingents taking part in the parade through the center of South Boston, once an insular Irish-American neighborhood near downtown that has undergone gentrification in recent years.
“South Boston is more diverse then it’s ever been and our inclusion is a testament to change in the neighborhood,” said Sylvain Bruni, president of Boston Pride, as he waited to march.
Organizers had excluded gay groups for two decades, maintaining that homosexuality conflicted with Roman Catholic doctrine. But they came under intense pressure to change their position, which ran counter to the liberal attitudes that prevail in Massachusetts. The state was the first in the United States to legalize same-sex marriage in 2004.
“Finally in the city of Boston we’re seeing the inclusivity we never thought we would see,” said Bryan Bishop, the 46-year-old founder of OutVets, representing gay military veterans. “This is personally one of the greatest days of my life.”
Read more at Gay rainbow banners make debut at Boston St Paddy s parade NewsDaily
Yo, Socialist Progressive Democrats run this town, and finally got their way, the abnormal!!!
"GTP"
"OBAMA SUCKS"
Sunday, March 15, 2015 ELIZABETH BARBER FOR REUTERS
- image: http://newsdaily.com/wp-content/upl...15binary_LYNXMPEB2E07O-BASEIMAGE-800x517.jpeg
A historic reenactment group fires blanks as they march down Broadway during the annual South Boston St. Patrick's Day parade in Boston, Massachusetts March 16, 2014. REUTERS/Dominick Reuter
- image: http://newsdaily.com/wp-content/upl...15binary_LYNXMPEB2E07N-BASEIMAGE-800x517.jpeg
A member of an inclusive neighborhood association walks with the group's diversity float down Broadway during the annual South Boston St. Patrick's Day parade in Boston, Massachusetts March 16, 2014. REUTERS/Dominick Reuter
- image: http://newsdaily.com/wp-content/upl...15binary_LYNXMPEB2E07Q-BASEIMAGE-800x517.jpeg
Gay rights advocates prepare to march in an equality parade immediately after the annual South Boston St. Patrick's Day parade in Boston, Massachusetts March 16, 2014. REUTERS/Dominick Reuter
- image: http://newsdaily.com/wp-content/upl...15binary_LYNXMPEB2E07M-BASEIMAGE-800x517.jpeg
Gay rights advocates prepare to march in an equality parade immediately after the annual South Boston St. Patrick's Day parade in Boston, Massachusetts March 16, 2014. REUTERS/Dominick Reuter
BOSTON (Reuters) – For the first time in the 114-year history of Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day parade, gay rights activists marched openly on Sunday under rainbow banners in the city’s annual celebration of its Irish heritage, after organizers lifted a longtime ban.
Two groups, Boston Pride and OutVets, were among dozens of contingents taking part in the parade through the center of South Boston, once an insular Irish-American neighborhood near downtown that has undergone gentrification in recent years.
“South Boston is more diverse then it’s ever been and our inclusion is a testament to change in the neighborhood,” said Sylvain Bruni, president of Boston Pride, as he waited to march.
Organizers had excluded gay groups for two decades, maintaining that homosexuality conflicted with Roman Catholic doctrine. But they came under intense pressure to change their position, which ran counter to the liberal attitudes that prevail in Massachusetts. The state was the first in the United States to legalize same-sex marriage in 2004.
“Finally in the city of Boston we’re seeing the inclusivity we never thought we would see,” said Bryan Bishop, the 46-year-old founder of OutVets, representing gay military veterans. “This is personally one of the greatest days of my life.”
Read more at Gay rainbow banners make debut at Boston St Paddy s parade NewsDaily
Yo, Socialist Progressive Democrats run this town, and finally got their way, the abnormal!!!
"GTP"
"OBAMA SUCKS"