Breaking a decades-long prohibition, Irish people will be allowed to march in this year's annual Siouxland Gay Pride Parade.
Everett Hillendale, organizer of the 2014 Parade, officially welcomed Hibernians to full equality in the march, and encouraged participation of those who trace their heritage to the land of peat bogs and leprechauns.
Hillendale issued a formal invitation during a press conference Saturday night at McSorley's Irish Gentleman's Club in Salix.
"Our prejudice against the Irish has been based on ignorance and bigotry. The Irish have been persecuted through hurtful slurs and falsehoods.Hillendale expressed hope that inclusion in the Gay Pride Parade would be an important step in the acceptance of the Irish.
"Through a renewed sense of tolerance and acceptance, we can all feel the pain of our Irish brothers and sisters:
"Of the heartbreak of the loss of a beloved Irish partner, made even worse when their family will not allow them to drink at the wake,
"Of those who must conceal their Irishness from members of their church, fearful that they will be rejected by that congregation,
"Of young Irish boys and girls who are taunted and bullied in school locker rooms for their red hair and pale skin.
"We celebrate the courage of the men and women that face that difficult conversation with their parents:
"Mom, Dad ... I'm Irish."
"We look forward to the day when the Irish have all the rights of any American, including the right to get married ...
"Not to each other, and not anytime soon ... but eventually."
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| Sign from Last Year's Gay Pride Parade |
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