On March 7, many LGBT Irish and Irish-American people, officially unwelcome at several of New York City's St. Patrick's Day parades, joined with friends and loved ones to march in the 11th annual, inclusive 'St. Pat's for All' Parade, held in Sunnyside and Woodside, Queens.
Among those at the head of the afternoon parade, behind a banner reading "Saint Patrick's Parade, Queens, New York-Cherishing all the children of the Nation Equally," were openly lesbian New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and openly gay Councilmember from Queens Daniel Dromm; Lt. Dan Choi, fighting the good fight against the military's heinous Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy; and Irish gay activist Brendan Fay. Bearing banners; green, white and orange Irish flags; and rainbow flags, participants marched a mile, from 43rd Street and Skillman Avenue to 61st Street and Woodside Avenue.
Organizations with contingents in the parade included Marriage Equality New York, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Queens Chapter, Metropolitan Community Church Queens, Dignity USA, Stonewall Democrats, the Queens HIV Care Network, and Staten Island LGBT Pride.
