LGBTQ+ Groups Invited to March in Richmond County’s 2025 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Staten Island

STATEN ISLAND (WABC) — For the first time ever, Staten Island’s Pride Center will participate in Richmond County’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

The parade committee announced Tuesday for the first time in 60 years that it will allow LGBTQ+ groups to march in Staten Island’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

The Staten Island Pride Center released a statement saying they are honored to be invited to march in the parade.

“This event is a time-honored tradition that brings people together from all walks of life to celebrate Irish culture, and we are excited to be part of this vibrant community celebration,” said Carol Bullock, Executive Director of Staten Pride Center Island.

The committee said the group has been invited to participate in the 2025 St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 2, 2025 and that the invitation was extended by the committee’s new leadership installed on October 30.

“The Parade Committee is tasked with ensuring that the focus of the parade remains on Saint Patrick, the history, traditions, culture and faith of the Irish people. In this effort, Pride Center leadership has assured the Parade Committee that they stand ready to support the Parade in meeting this commitment,” the group said in a statement. “It is not lost on the Parade Committee how controversial this event has become. The end of this controversy is for the benefit of the committee, the Pride Center and the greater Staten Island community.”

Mayor Eric Adams released a statement celebrating the decision.

“From day one, our board has been clear that celebrations in our city must be welcoming and inclusive. That’s why we brought the community together with the Staten Island Business Outreach Center to host the first-ever – and incredibly successful – fully inclusive St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Staten Island earlier this year,” Adams said. “We are thrilled that Staten Island’s LGBTQ+ community will finally be welcome to march under their own flag in this year’s Richmond County St. Patrick’s Day Parade and we applaud the committee for making this decision, which has been a long time coming. .”

PREVIOUS COVERAGE | LGBTQ members denied participation in Staten Island’s St. Patrick’s Day parade

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