RTE News at One reporting that President McAleese has turned down an invitation to act as Grand Marshall to the New York St. Patrick's Day Parade next year. The date coincides with the final year of her Presidency and the 250th anniversary of the St. Patrick's Day Parade.
Niall O'Dowd reporting that her reason for turning down the invitation relates to a ban on gay groups participating in the St Patrick's Day Parade in New York.
Is that ban still in force then ?
"We hold that no power, not even the British Parliament, has the right to deprive us of our heritage of British citizenship".
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She's right though. I honestly think that the president showing that we're not a 19th century backwater will do more for inward investment than just blindly accepting an invitation to an event that would discriminate against anyone.
Who is the organising committee and what gives them a right to decide that what they do represents all things Irish ?!
She's head of state and she has to represent all our citizens, including the gay ones!
Good on her.
Nice one Pres ! Homophobic and sectarian marches shouldn't be supported by anyone.
Yes I think it is a positive development. Apparently Bloomberg tried to broker a compromise whereby she would be Grand Marshall of a gay sponsored parade a few days before and then participate in the main parade but not as Grand Marshall. However, this didn't suit the President's scheduling.
Good call on her part.
Don't piss off the Ancient Order of Hibernians.. they have powers beyond you wildest imagination.
I remember reading that the US Courts ruled on the Gay Ban in the past.
"We hold that no power, not even the British Parliament, has the right to deprive us of our heritage of British citizenship".
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Way to go , Pres
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