Gay Veteran Group Denied Spot in Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade
In perhaps the most liberal state in America, and the state that first brought us gay marriage equality, discrimination rears its ugly head. Boston.com reports,
OUTVETS members and supporters marched in the 2015 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in South Boston. OUTVETS, which has marched in the parade for two years, says it was not approved to march in this year’s parade.
Mayor Martin J. Walsh said Wednesday that he will not march in South Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day parade unless organizers reverse their rejection of a gay veterans’ group’s request to participate.
“I will not tolerate discrimination in our city of any form. We are one Boston, which means we are a fully inclusive city,” Walsh said in a statement provided by a spokeswoman. “I will not be marching in the parade unless this is resolved. Anyone who values what our city stands for should do the same.”
OUTVETS, which has marched in the parade for the past two years, said in a statement on its Facebook page late Tuesday that it was denied a spot in this year’s event.
Am I the only one who feels that discrimination and hate are suddenly now more acceptable and praised under the new Trump administration. When you are seeing this blatant discrimination against a gay veteran in the progressive and accepting city of Boston, you know we have issues. It looks like the battle begins all over again!
Photo credit: DINA RUDICK/GLOBE STAFF/FILE
