Irish Pride was prominently on display on Sunday, June 25, during New York City's annual Pride March.
But the festive and celebratory mood on Fifth Avenue was joined by reminders of the hostility and sometimes violence faced by the gay community in the U.S. and around the world.
More than 120 friends and supporters joined the "Irish Pride" float in the parade.
This was the fourth year for the “Irish Pride” float, organized by the Irish Consulate. The float was emblazoned with harps, tricolors and Pride flags.
According to a release from the consulate, the theme for its parade presence this year was “Amach le Chéile – Out Together.”
Among those joining the Irish Pride contingent were Consul General Helena Nolan, author Yvonne Cassidy, and former New York City Council Member Danny Dromm, who marked an unbroken fifty years of marching in the New York Pride event.
New York-based Irish DJ Anthony Finucane played the float down Fifth Avenue with a mixture of Irish and international pop and disco beats. Archley Prudent of Cork City Ballet was the float emcee.
Consul General of Ireland, Helena Nolan, said: “I want to thank all of our friends and volunteers who marched with us for New York City Pride. Ireland has been on a transformational journey of equality and inclusivity. This weekend marks forty years since the very first Dublin Pride March, thirty years since homosexuality was decriminalized in Ireland and eight years since Ireland voted for marriage equality.”
The Irish presence on Fifth Avenue was reinforced by the activist LGBTQ group Lavender and Green Alliance.
Brendan Fay, originally from Drogheda and who founded the group in 1994 said: “People cheered when they saw our banner, ‘Lavender and Green Alliance/Muintir Aerach na hËireann celebrating Irish Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender, Heritage and Identity.'
“We held posters of Robert Rygor (1953-1994), Mark Ashton (1960-1987), Fr. Mychal Judge of 9/11 (1933-2001), Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Lyra McKee (1990-2019) and others. We remembered our friend Christopher Cook who died this past March.
"We remember and celebrate those who made the road for equality here and in Ireland. We remember those whose lives were cut short by AIDS, indifference, and anti-LGBTQ violence.”
“As with every Pride march we meet immigrants who have just arrived as well as elders and youth from across the city for whom this is their first time to be out and open. This is a huge moment and profound personal experience of relief and joy.
"In power and pride we come out together and rise together. We raise our voices in solidarity and friendship for our LGBTQ communities in New York, Ireland, Florida, Uganda, Poland, Ukraine and across the world. We are Amach Le Chéile - Out Together.”
