NYC's gay council leader snubs parade for Dublin celebration

New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn won't be marching in the Big Apple's St. Patrick's Day parade as usual out of protest.  I admire Speaker Quinn for refusing to participate in the parade, because its organizers refuse to allow gay and lesbian groups to march. 

This year, Speaker Quinn will march in Dublin Ireland's parade.  Quinn is an Irish-American and is the first openly gay council speaker.  She was personally invited by officials in Dublin.  She along with other city council members will join the lord mayor of Dublin, the speaker of the Lower House of the Irish Parliament, and Dublin City Council members for the celebration.

"My participation in Dublin's parade is also an opportunity to march openly as a member of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community, something we have not been able to do in New York City," Quinn said in a statement Sunday. "I hope my participation in the Dublin march will send a message about the importance of inclusion."

Other city officials like Mayor Bloomberg have also been known to snub the parade for this same reason. 

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