Parade not a gay day

In your editorial of March 4 you refer to “New York’s (St Patrick’s Day) parade ban on gays”. It needs to be emphasised that there is absolutely no ban on anyone participating in the NY parade because of their sexual orientation per se. The ban is on carrying banners.

Given that there are other occasions, such as Gay Pride parades, when gay organisations can express their sexual orientation and carry banners to that effect, why do they insist on wanting to use another event for a purpose for which it’s not intended, ie as a sort of sexual orientation identity parade?

Would it not be deemed utterly ridiculous if heterosexuals in the parade were to carry banners proclaiming their sexual orientation?

However, that would be no different in principle from gay organisations doing the same. If organisers were to concede to one group, how many other groups would demand similar rights?

Lastly, if the Mayor of New York decides to boycott the parade, that’s his choice but there’s no compelling reason why the Taoiseach or anyone else should follow his example.

Hugh Gibney

Athboy

Co Meath