Make a difference this Paddy's Day

national | miscellaneous | news report Tuesday February 19, 2002 11:18 by Foyle Friend

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This will be the 12th year in which the Irish Lesbian and Gay Organisation (ILGO) will be excluded from the St Patrick's day parade in New York.
Every single year for the past 11 people have turned up for the parade, been harassed and then arrested were they are treated as criminals, locked up in a cell and taken to court by the authorities in New York.
The parade in New York continues to be organised and run by the Catholic organisation The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) who state if you are lesbian or gay you can take part providing you don't carry a banner which allows people to know who you are.
Foyle Friend wish to send an email to ILGO telling them that people back home support what they are doing and are thinking about them and their struggle particularly at this time of year as we lead up to St Patrick's Day. We will also forward the petition to the AOH urging them to allow lesbians and gay men to take part in the St Patrick's parade without having to hide who they are.
Please send an email to info@foylefriend.org and put in the subject box "I/We Support ILGO"
Please then copy the statement, compose a new email, paste the statement on and forward to all on your email list.
Many Thanks for your support.