LGBTQ groups in New York’s Staten Island switched to alternative St. Patrick’s Day events this week after being barred from the local parade. 

Last weekend, the Staten Island Pride Center held a celebratory event to honor the Irish heritage. LGBTQ activist Brendan Fay shared his efforts of helping LGBTQ marchers perform in the city’s St. Patrick’s Day parades. 

“In the 90s, an Irish LGBT group called Irish Gay Lesbian (IGL), and sought to be included in the 5th Avenue parade and inclusion. The answer was always the same: their sexuality went against the Catholic religion,” Fay said according to a report by SILive.com.

“What truly made a turning point was in March of 1991, when Mayor Dinkins, I will never forget, stepped back from the place of honor that is traditionally held by the mayor, who usually leads the parade. He did that in support of IGL,” he added. 

Also Read: 23,000 mail ballots rejected in Texas primary elections

“I will never forget that. That, to me, was my coming out day, where I came out Irish, Catholic, and gay. I was proud of all those pieces of who I was,” Fay concluded. 

For years, LGBTQ marchers have been banned from marching in the parade. Recently, LGBTQ advocates set up a press conference ahead of this year’s parade to address the restriction.   

Also Read: Unvaccinated New York Mets, Yankees players to be barred from home games: Report

“(Advocates) called on city officials to halt public funding allocated for city workers to man the event until LGBTQ+ groups are allowed to march in the parade,” KC Hankins, head organizer of Rainbow Run Staten Island said during the conference. 

“It is far beyond time that a group of small-minded men stop having power over one of our biggest cultural events on Staten Island. ‘And if these men will not step aside, it’s time for New York City to stop giving public dollars to this parade,” Hankins added. 

“‘Issuing a permit to an organization that has consistently discriminated against LGBTQ+ groups is unacceptable,” Hankins concluded.

Several officials in New York City have denied participating in the parade, including Mayor Eric Adams. Adam’s spokesperson said that the Mayor will not partake in the parade until members of the LGBTQ community are welcomed in the festivities.