New York City Council Speaker Slams St. Patricks Day Parade Bias

"Unfortunately, a compromise has not been reached this year with organizers of the St. Patrick's Day Parade that would allow LGBT Irish New Yorkers to march in a way that openly celebrates our heritage and identity. Therefore, I will not be marching... New York City is the most diverse and welcoming place in the world -- it's a shame that for yet another year our... parade won't reflect that diversity... I continue to hope -- and I firmly believe -- that someday soon Irish LGBT New Yorkers will proudly and openly march up Fifth Avenue on St. Patrick's Day." New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, March 17, 2006