St. Patrick's Day Parade

Just before the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade began, Irish LGBT advocates spoke about the long history of exclusion of LGBT organizations from the parade, and the sudden change of heart of many corporate sponsors.

GLAAD President and CEO, Sarah Kate Ellis has written a letter to the editor of the New York Daily News, recalling her participation in the New York St . Patrick's Day Parade, and noting how excluding families like hers hurts on a personal level.

The San Francisco St. Patrick's Day Parade will include a first-time contingent from the San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Celebration Committee.

The Boston Beer Company, which owns Sam Adams beer, has issued a statement on its sponsorship of the Boston St. Patrick's Day Parade. Boston Beer, like other sponsors have been pressured to speak out about the exclusion of LGBT organizations, like the LGBT Veterans for Equality.