{"id":28223,"date":"2023-06-21T17:39:19","date_gmt":"2023-06-21T21:39:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=28223"},"modified":"2023-06-21T17:39:21","modified_gmt":"2023-06-21T21:39:21","slug":"outabout-227","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=28223","title":{"rendered":"Out&About"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Grand Council of United Emerald Societies members on the Celtic Cruise: David Wilson, Brian J. Sharkey, Thomas Farrell, Timothy Cowen<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

By Paddy McCarthy<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ve heard me tell you all about the AOH Division 7 and EIIC\u2019s Celtic Cruise<\/strong> 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<\/strong>. It all started twenty-nine years ago, originally to benefit Nobel Peace Prize nominee Denis Mulcahy\u2019s Project Children<\/strong>, 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<\/strong> and John Tully<\/strong> 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. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This next item came to me from The Dublin Society<\/strong> who will be having a summer get together\u00a0on Tuesday June 27th at The Westbury<\/strong> (20 West 38th Street,\u00a0just off Fifth Avenue). They will be in the upstairs\u00a0room from 6:30 to 9:30 pm. There\u2019s an open bar\u00a0 (beer,\u00a0 wine and soda) on the Society for the first hour or so, after that it\u2019s on your\u00a0dime. Sounds very good so all you Dubs don\u2019t miss this very special evening. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Sunday June 25 the Irish LGBQ group Lavender and Green Alliance<\/strong> will march in the New York City Pride March<\/strong>. They have been marching since 1994 and all are welcome to join them.\u00a0\u00a0The group assembles on 29th Street at 12.30 pm. Register at www.lavenderandgreenalliance.org<\/a> or call (917) 402-3134. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maya Milton<\/strong>, transgender organizer for the group said, \u201cIt\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Brendan Fay<\/strong>, the founder of the group said, \u201cAs 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt the June 4 Queens Pride<\/strong> parade, seeing our Irish banner \u2013 Lavender and Green Alliance \u2013 Muintir Aerach na h\u00c9ireann one ran out to join us.\u00a0\u00a0They told us: \u2018I\u2019m 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.\u2019 Another was excited to tell their story of discovering a family link with the renowned labor leader Jim Larkin.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fay, said that the Lavender and Green Alliance honors key moments in our LGBT Irish history: The 40th anniversary of the Irish \u201cStonewall\u201d 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),\u00a0the 30th anniversary of the arrest of over 200 Irish at the NYC St Patrick\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fay concluded, \u201cWe 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.
\u201cIn 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,\u00a0Poland, Ukraine and across the world. We are : Amach Le Ch\u00e9ile – Out Together!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hope to see you all again next week when I am Out&About again. <\/p>\n

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