Dublin’s St. Pat’s Parade more diverse than NYC version
Dublin’s freewheeling parade drew a
half-million spectators and included Christine Quinn, the first openly gay
leader of the New York City Council.
Lithuanian musicians, drum-beating Punjabis and West African dancers used Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Day parade on Saturday to celebrate their place in a booming Ireland that has become a land of immigrants. One man dressed as St. Patrick in papal hat and sunglasses did the samba, while another float nearby featured “Miss Panty,” Dublin’s premier drag queen.
Dublin’s freewheeling parade drew a half-million spectators and included Christine Quinn, the first openly gay leader of the New York City Council. Quinn is boycotting the more conservative New York parade because the organizers refuse to let gay and lesbian groups march.
This year, she accepted an Irish government invitation to be part of the Dublin City Council contingent.
“The fact I’m here in Dublin and able to march and participate in inclusive events should send a message of how backwards the New York parade is,” said Quinn.
“Nowadays there’s far more color in the parade. It’s great to see all our new Irish from across the world dressed up in green,” said Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, who normally spends St. Patrick’s Day in the United States but returned overnight after visiting President Bush in the White House.
Bravo!
Posted: Sun - March 18, 2007 at 08:31 AM