Boston gay veterans continue to be banned from marching in St Patrick’s Day parade
The announcement comes just over a week after it appeared that Boston Mayor Martin Walsh had arranged a deal between the Allied War Veterans Council, which runs the parade, and MassEquality, which was advocating for gay veterans to be allowed to join in.
Today, Kara Coredini, executive director of MassEquality, said: We are not marching. Its not happening
The parade is every bit as exclusionary this year as it was 20 years ago.
Following the meeting between the two groups last week, the Council released the following statement.
At a closed door City Hall meeting last night it was made clear to us that the LGBT Veterans for Equality do not have 20 United States Veterans who wish to march. Rather, they presented only one supposed Veteran and a group of others carrying rainbow flags. When asked about a Color Guard, their loan Veteran replied that he wasnt sure he could supply any more Veterans willing to march. It is our intention to keep this parade a family friendly event. We will not allow any group to damage the Integrity of the historic event or our reputation as a safe and fun filled day for all.
Over a dozen military and reserves veterans issued a statement today refuting the claims by the Councils statement.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/03/12/us-boston-gay-veterans-continue-banned-marching-st-patricks-day-parade/
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ABSOLUTE FUCKING BULLSHIT!