Sir, - The exclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgenderpeople marching under their own banner in the St Patrick's Day Paradein New York is an affront to Irish identity.
Ireland, North and South, increasingly recognizes and protects thediversity of its peoples. The Equal Status Act 2000 and EmploymentEquality Act 1998 in the South prohibit discrimination on the groundsof sexual orientation and gender in provision of goods and services andin employment. The proposed Bill of Rights and other legislation in theNorth will prohibit discrimination more widely.
The argument that the parade is a private or religious event andbeyond civil rights challenge is false. It is a public act that islikely to involve 300,000 marchers, draw 2 million spectators andmillions more viewers. It is a deeply political event, attractingpolitical leaders and other people of influence, and legitimating anexpression of national identity that is narrow and exclusive.
Those embracing an inclusive Irish identity should protest against the parade until it honours all Irish people. - Is mise,
Ithaca, New York,
USA.