In the United States St. Patrick's Day is often celebrated by irish themed parties, dressing in green clothing, and even eating green food. However, unlike any other year, this years St. Patrick's day has been monumental to two gay groups in the city of Boston.
The South Boston Allied War Veterans Council (SBAWVC) is a
private group that has organized a popular St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the city
of Boston for the last 114 years. For years the South Boston Allied War
Veterans Council had legally banned gay groups from participating in the parade
since 1995 after going all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. The U.S. Supreme
Court decision ruled that council had a right to exclude gay groups claiming
that it was the groups’ First Amendment right to exclude whomever it wanted. However,
on Sunday March 15, 2015, the Boston's St. Patrick's Day Parade made history!
After decades of opposition the gay military veterans service group OutVets and
gay rights group Boston Pride marched in the SBAWVC parade.
So we must ask, what are your thoughts? Were you aware of this Supreme Court case? Let us know.
To read the news story that caught our attention visit:Boston Celebrates End of Ban as Gays March in St. Patrick's Day Parade
Best wishes,
Vanessa Barrientos, Tianna Randle-Bean, and Dahlia Herrod
*Disclaimer: This blog is for a class project and not an official blog
