By Paddy McCarthy
You’ve heard me tell you all about the AOH Division 7 and EIIC’s Celtic Cruise in this column for the last couple of weeks that did happen last Wednesday. I can only tell you that it was so well worth me telling you all about this annual cruise that is also a fundraiser for a very good cause, the Emerald Isle Immigration Center. It all started twenty-nine years ago, originally to benefit Nobel Peace Prize nominee Denis Mulcahy’s Project Children, which brought Catholic and Protestant children from Northern Ireland to live together in the US to give them a break from the violence that was happening for a very long time. It was then switched to support the EIIC, who are the backbone and major force in helping immigrants find a path to US citizenship. I have to thank both Siobhan Dennehy and John Tully who have worked tirelessly to make this cruise a total success and also to thank all the sponsors, as there is so many to mention in this column, but you all know who you are thank you again.
This next item came to me from The Dublin Society who will be having a summer get together on Tuesday June 27th at The Westbury (20 West 38th Street, just off Fifth Avenue). They will be in the upstairs room from 6:30 to 9:30 pm. There’s an open bar (beer, wine and soda) on the Society for the first hour or so, after that it’s on your dime. Sounds very good so all you Dubs don’t miss this very special evening.
On Sunday June 25 the Irish LGBQ group Lavender and Green Alliance will march in the New York City Pride March. They have been marching since 1994 and all are welcome to join them. The group assembles on 29th Street at 12.30 pm. Register at www.lavenderandgreenalliance.org or call (917) 402-3134.
Maya Milton, transgender organizer for the group said, “It’s important to come together and be visible when our human rights and our lives are under attack. I am proud to be a transgender Irish American and feel blessed to march with my friends in Lavender and Green Alliance.”
Brendan Fay, the founder of the group said, “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, to be themselves. This is a huge moment often a profound personal experience of relief and joy.
“At the June 4 Queens Pride parade, seeing our Irish banner – Lavender and Green Alliance – Muintir Aerach na hÉireann one ran out to join us. They told us: ‘I’m Daniel. I just arrived from Dublin on a J1 visa. I came to Queens Pride as a volunteer, and I find the Irish Lavender and Green Alliance.’ Another was excited to tell their story of discovering a family link with the renowned labor leader Jim Larkin.”
Fay, said that the Lavender and Green Alliance honors key moments in our LGBT Irish history: The 40th anniversary of the Irish “Stonewall” protest against anti gay violence in the wake of the murder of Declan Flynn in Dublin (1983), the 30th anniversary of the decriminalization of homosexuality in Ireland led by David Norris and Mary Robinson (1993), the 30th anniversary of the arrest of over 200 Irish at the NYC St Patrick’s Day parade in support of LGBTQ inclusion (1993), the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Civil Marriage Trail (2003) bringing couples across borders for legal marriage.
Fay concluded, “We carry posters to 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 LGBT violence.
“In power and pride we come out 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!”
Hope to see you all again next week when I am Out&About again.