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Wacko's spirit lives on: Gay veterans once again barred from South Boston parade

The Globe reports.

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Sad and dumb. At this point it just feels like the organizers are doing this because they don't want to be seen as backing down. Such a stupid hill to die on. At this point, even the VA does LGBTQ support, Trans therapy, etc. Admit you were wrong and grow up. Or, just quietly and sneakily change your policy without fanfare.

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At this point it just feels like the organizers are doing this because they don't want to be seen as backing down. Such a stupid hill to die on

Nope, it's just the same fuck you, I got mine mentality that encompasses a large swath of that entire generation. And yes, they will be dead soon.

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Until the last boomer is dead.

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The boomers that you mock and derogate are also the people who created the antiwar movement, and who sustained it while you had your head stuck in your nintendo. They are the people who created the gay rights movement and got gay civil rights as a matter of law in Massachusetts and other states while you were crapping your diapers. They are the people who I see actually showing up to do the hard work of the various progressive movements today, the work that's done behind the scenes, as opposed to showing up for a big gaudy rally. But for you, they're a convenient scapegoat, easy to mock with ageist slurs. And you really think that things will get better when these people are dead and you have the sandbox all to yourself? I guess you'll find out when it happens.

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It's pretty meaningless to attack or defend a huge generation of people. Obviously there are great people and horrible people within any given age range.

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who created the antiwar movement, and who sustained it while you had your head stuck in your nintendo

HOW DARE MILLENIALS NOT BE OLD ENOUGH TO HAVE VOTED AGAINST THE WAR THAT MY GENERATION APPROVED GOD WHAT IS IT WITH KIDS AND THEIR VIDEO GAMES GRUMBLE GRUMBLE.

Sorry, you guys don't get a pass for token resistance against something you're also responsible for starting. Millennials were just starting to graduate highschool at the oldest end, and we weren't the ones using "freedom fries" seriously. But hey we went and died for y'all to have cheap gas so. A+ there.

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is an application of prejudice. All that is accomplished is to turn away people who would be your friends and companions in any good work.

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Nope. Just a reflection of the track record of destroying everything.

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As a Boomer myself, I find this widespread condemnation of Boomers by Millennials a new and somewhat jarring phenomenon, but not an unexpected one. It's only natural. No less a Boomer icon than John Lennon once said "our children will hate us too, you know", just as us Boomers didn't hold much truck with the so-called "Greatest Generation" that came before us. The generation that started both WW2 AND the Vietnam War. And so it goes.

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The Greatest Generation left their children a country better off.

Boomers can't say the same, and every year it's getting worse and worse. And now with this administration, clean air and water is on the block as well, which was just about the only thing they can say they're handing off better.

A lot of the animosity stems from seeing a generation with so much, still taking it all the way to the grave with little concern for their legacy (ie children and grandchildren) who are going to have to make due with much less unless there are big policy changes from the current crop of leaders.

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The median wage has been flat since the 70s. Boomers were born between 1946-1964. I don't know where this idea comes from that everything was easy for them--and I'm 34. Generational division is just another way of turning ordinary people against each other instead of blaming the politicians and lobbyists.

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I had a Commodore64 and Colecovision.

Secondly, the greatest generation handed you idiots the literal world on a platter.

And you effed it up. Bigly.

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Secondly, the greatest generation handed you idiots the literal world on a platter.

The "greatest generation" themselves inherited -- didn't create -- a world where, for a few nations (primarily the United States) there was a period of artificial prosperity caused by the fact that everyone else's industrial production capacity had been bombed into rubble and ours hadn't. That prosperity lasted until the conditions that created it no longer held. Why you or anyone believe that the "greatest generation" created that prosperity or that baby boomers "effed it up" is beyond me. Maybe you'll study some history some day and learn better.

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Nation States are artificial constructs we apply to the world as well. Economic systems too. That doesn't make them any less real.

Policy matters, and the the Greatest Generation decided to radically try something different and it worked. Skip to present day and Germany currently implements many of the same policy ideas we have abandoned, and it's working there just as well in the international economy.

It's as if educated people that have good infrastructure and money in their pockets lifts all boats in non-zero sum economics.

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Thankfully.

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it's time to move this parade to boylston street and fewnay.

the parade caters to 4 groups of people (none of which live in South Boston):

1. families that got priced out and live on the south shore.
2. College kids
3. suburban teenagers.
4. Bros that got priced out and live in dorchester now.

In 2017, the actual residents living in South Boston do not want this parade. Move it!...or better yet, do the entire city a favor and cancel it.

- A South Boston Community Member

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We don't want it either. Don't send your trash here. They are your problem.

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you deal with that trash 81 times a year when the sox have a home. what's one more?

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When I worked in a public school in Southie, the teachers and families who were from multigenerational South Boston families were mostly ALL about the parade. The only people who didn't seem to support it were people of color, immigrants, and non-Christian folks. The teachers in the public schools in Southie talk freely about the parade and assume all families support it and wish to attend. Long-time Southie folks can't seem to wrap their minds around how SAINT Patrick's Day is not a holiday that all people celebrate or appreciate having talked about constantly in their public schools. And yes, if they were teaching the history of this holiday or any culture's holiday, that would be great, but I didn't ever observe that, just teachers mocking children who didn't wear green, having their students make fucking leprechaun traps, and assuming that their Muslim students would be psyched to go to a drunken parade about a Catholic saint. Oh, and telling kids that mentioning the pride parade is inappropriate.

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1980 was about 3 decades ago. South Boston has changed drastically.

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I don't disagree with your assertions about 1980, but I worked there in 2015.

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The parade is definitely not just watched by old Southie. Plenty of families of color and of different religions attend the parade if they live in South Boston.

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The St P Parade has 1st amendment rights. I'm not interested in shutting it down.

That written, at what point is simply not going no longer enough? At what point do we call out those who participate in the parade as contributing to the bigotry with action? Is peacefully but vocally protesting a parade even a thing?

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It's not quite as cut-and-dry about that, considering the parade expends public resources, and even if not an 'official' city event, may as well be.

Plus, the first amendment still doesn't give someone the right to discriminate - see all the court cases arising out of businesses refusing to serve LGBT people.

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Is it time for another court case on this one? It seems that there's now precedent that the current ruling probably wouldn't stand.

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First and foremost, I support gay rights, marriage, equality, and whatever else they feel they need or want. In general, I support equality for everyone. That said, is it really necessary to be gay about everything all the time? If black veterans wanted to march under a 'black and proud' banner, or if female vets wanted to march under a 'feminism' banner, would they need to make a big deal about it every year? If you're a veteran and you want to march, then march. I mean we get it, there are gay veterans, so what. Everything in today's world is about what makes me different than you, richer, poorer, black, white, gay, straight. For once can't they all just be veterans who fought for this country and deserve our utmost respect, regardless of any silly differences or proclivities?

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But that is not, nor ever has been what the parade allows. If you have two legs they let your group march, unless you like other dudes or dudettes.

The other issue is the city spends considerable time and resources on this, shuts down city streets, asks the MBTA to divert buses and provide more transportation, ect. It's essentially a city sanctioned event, and being sanctioned it shouldn't be allowed to be exclusionary to some residents and not others.

Mah'ty is got a spring problem on his hand. Last month he was reaping the rewards for his speech on the common, but this time he's going to have to actually show some action.

Did he mouth off a check his ass won't cash when it's a bit tougher? Looks like we shall find out.

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from the Globe:

Mayor Martin J. Walsh said Wednesday that he will not march in South Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day parade unless organizers reverse their rejection of a gay veterans’ group’s request to participate.

“I will not tolerate discrimination in our city of any form. We are one Boston, which means we are a fully inclusive city,” Walsh said in a statement provided by a spokeswoman. “I will not be marching in the parade unless this is resolved. Anyone who values what our city stands for should do the same.”

This is consistent with past actions by both Mayors Walsh and Menino.

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cuz he sure as hell marched last year. I was there screaming "ONE-TERM-MAY-OR clap-clap-clapclapclap" at him....

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so there was no reason for Marty to avoid the parade.

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Does the St Patricks Parade need to be so Irish about everything all the time? I mean we get it, there are Irish people, so what.

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Typical liberal identity politics...when's the Not-Irish Pride Parade?

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Maybe they could follow their fore-bearers and stop being such pisshead twats.

http://time.com/4114286/ireland-same-sex-marriage-legal/

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You don't choose your parents. You do choose what you do after you're born and deliberately excluding members of the public because you don't approve means you're an asshole. I don't approve of old school South Boston bigotry - where's my parade?

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the tone and text in your post is exactly why it is necessary.

one a side note, remember there are 35,000 resident sin south boston now. i would bet my life that less 5,000 actually want the parade.

- A South Boston Community Member.

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Please elaborate. In my experience most people support gay rights, they just don't want to hear about it all the time.

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People that dont have the same rights as everybody else should probably just simmer down - Scauma, 2017

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I'll wait..

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You need to either wake up, grow up, or study up.

I won't do your homework for you, dear.

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I thought I was the only one you called dear....this is devastating. Oh well.

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Well, for starters, in 28 states they can be fired for being gay

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Hospital visitation, equal employment protection, living wills...

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I'll wait..

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I think it is very important for children to see that there is acceptance of the LGBT community. Also as a lesbian woman I would love to not be "different". I would love to have dinner out with my beautiful wife and not be stared at if God forbid she holds my hand. I would love to not give people a heart attack when we kiss in public on South Boston streets or any streets for that matter. We don't feel different but other people see us differently. The only way to hopefully fix this is to knowingly be around people that are different than you and by spending time with them and in doing this people will see that we are not so different at all. If everyone just pretends to be straight then nothing gets done. Ughh. Sorry for rambling.

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-That sounds harsh, but the point is: lots of people deal with discrimination, or disapproving looks. It's not exclusive to the LGBTQ community. You can't ask to be equal, and then look for some sort of special perk or provision. The only thing that changes perceptions is time. I don't see interracial couples being harassed like they were in the 60's right? Young kids are the most accepting of differences and they'll grow up in a world where being gay or transgender is accepted and not uncommon. Can you change the opinions of the older generation, of course not. I'm sure muslims wish they didn't get disconcerting looks when they board planes, I wish I wasn't still, in 2017 followed around certain stores. But it is what it is because people suck. And old habits/beliefs die hard.

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As interracial lesbian couple with two children I think we know a little bit about all of that and I am certainly not crying at all. Of course other people are discriminated against but we are talking about LGBT people in this post and we are talking about the South Boston St. Patrick's Day Parade. I wish I could agree that it's just the older folks that still have issues with gay people but it's simply not true.

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No argument there. Shoot in this thread there are probably people who think I suck. We can't wish hate out of people. We can't wish misery out of people. I don't understand why it is so important for gay vets to be able to march with their banner in this parade. Should they be able too? Personally I couldn't careless because I'm indifferent. I don't hate gay people, or any other group. If I was at the parade and saw a gay flag or banner, I wouldn't think twice about it. Same goes for any other banner I saw. I believe in human rights for all, period. I just don't see the reason to cry about it all the time. And listen, I'm black. Nothing that's derogatory or racist or homophobic coming out of Southie surprises me.

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http://nypost.com/2017/01/17/interracial-couple-gets-harassed-on-date-ni...

http://www.fox25boston.com/news/man-accused-of-unprovoked-attack-on-inte...

http://dailyfreepress.com/2016/12/01/more-than-500-incidents-reported-to...

The hotline has received reports of racist graffiti, harassment of minorities and interracial couples, race and gender-based bullying in schools and bigoted slurs shouted in public places,

Oh but you said like they did in the 60s, so yay that people aren't getting killed over this and are "only" getting assaulted? Get bent dude.

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Apparently I need to be more clear. Hate, will never end completely. Mainly because there will always be people who are miserable and misery loves company. Certainly no one believes interracial couples deal with the same issues today that they did 50+ years ago. Does that mean everything is lovey-dovey and kumbaya, of course not.

Obama was elected because Bush was viewed as such a terrible president. I firmly believe he would not have stood a chance under more normal circumstances. That said, Trump was elected because the 'MAGA' crowd felt like they were losing 'their' country and they want to stop the browning of America. Trump's election has empowered the more racist among us. That's sad, but hardly a surprise. Race relations, despite the articles you reference is tremendously better than it was in the 60's, in much the same way the LGBTQ crowd will be much more accepted in the future. But things take time, or more succinctly, old people and out dated ideals die. That's just reality.

To the topic at hand, yes there are people who hate gays, or transgenders, or whomever else happens to be different than them. But those are small minded people that will very soon be left behind with there old ways of thinking. Should gay people be able to march, yes. Do they need to do so carrying a banner that proclaims their gayness? That's open to debate. Should they cry and throw a hissy fit because they can't? Well that's also open to debate. We all have our issues, as individuals and as groups, whether that's black people, white people, gays, or whoever else.

If this was a gay pride parade, go for it. Carry all the banners and signs and whatever else you want to proclaim your proud-ness. But not everything has to be turned into a gay rights diatribe, that's when people who are wholly in different start to tune out.

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The banding together originates because of discrimination, but there are also cultural similarities that people in these groups share, enjoying sharing with each other, are proud of, and wish to share with others.

Being gay in a straight world or being a person of color in a white world are unique experiences that folks like to talk about with others who experience these things, and like to join together to share the beauty and uniqueness of these experiences and the unique culture that has come out of them. When someone says they're proud to be part of an identity and a culture, and they want to show others how beautiful their culture is, you don't tell them that you're fine with their culture as long as they shut up about it. If you were truly fine with it, you'd love that they want to share it with you.

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...if you could just, for a moment, refrain from straightsplaining homophobia.

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Cry me a river. That sounds harsh

It doesn't sound harsh; it makes you sound like you're an asshole. In response to a comment that, contrary to your rant, asked for nothing in the way of a "special perk or provision", it was entirely gratuitous.

the point is: lots of people deal with discrimination, or disapproving looks. It's not exclusive to the LGBTQ community. You can't ask to be equal, and then look for some sort of special perk or provision. The only thing that changes perceptions is time. I don't see interracial couples being harassed like they were in the 60's right?

Less than they were in the 60s, although if you ask someone in a mixed couple, you'll probably find that things aren't all that hunky dory. But this is, in part, the difference between visible and invisible stigmas. Your preferred remedy, "time", can't change anything as long as people like you pressure those who are different to be invisible. Mixed couples aren't harassed like they used to be because people see more of them, and -- just as important -- they see other people treating them in a civilized manner. You want gay people to just not be so damn gay, to pass as straight. This pushes the tolerance envelope not one iota. It is a recipe for nothing ever changing.

Can you change the opinions of the older generation, of course not.

That's simplistic and condescending. It's also irrelevant. Who cares about your opinions? I care about your behavior. Your opinion about someone else's sexual orientation is impertinent and if you offer it unsolicited (and I can't imagine when anyone would ask for your opinion about their sexual orientation), you're being a rude asshole, period. Nothing "older generation" about it.

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Let's just disagree and move on. I'll even say all of you are right and I am wrong if it makes people feel better. Since this parade was in Mass, I was referring to what rights they don't have in Mass, but granted I wasn't explicit in that. Ultimately my point was no one said gay people can't march, they ostensibly said you can't march with signage declaring your gayness. Do I think it's right, no. But I also don't think people should cry over it every year.

But also to be clear, and perhaps upset more people. I don't think a man who thinks he's a woman should be using female bathrooms. I don't subscribe to the 'use the bathroom which corresponds to your birth certificate' idea, but if you still stand when you pee, use the men's room. If you're post surgery, then use the bathroom that corresponds with your new self. Ultimately I think we'll all be better off when we stop trying to break down our differences to the smallest denominator.

I never said people should be invisible. I said people shouldn't turn everything into a referendum on gay vs straight, black vs white, and etc.

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Ok so when my friends 7 year old transgender child cries because she doesn't want to pee in front of the boys at school what do you suggest??? And when she reaches high school what do you suggest???

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therapy

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Not that it matters, but I assume the child was born a 'boy' but identifies as a girl? My first suggestion would be to use the stall. Then I would explain to the child that the world is a harsh place and not everyone is going to understand her, especially children who are her age. I would tell her to remember who she is, and to be proud of herself, no matter what people/children may say or think. Then I would look into the process of helping my child become who they are. Positive reinforcement begins at home. We can't stop bullying, or force people to see each other as they are, and not what the world assumes they should be. Sort of like I was saying (and getting flamed for) the bill holder incident. We can only control our actions, not the actions of others. I would make sure my child feels loved to the best of my ability, and I would make sure they feel beautiful and comfortable in their skin, again to the best of my ability.

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I agree with most of what you are saying there. It is also a parents responsibility to stick up for their child and fight for what is right for people like her/him.

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"I'm not an asshole, but let me go on record about something completely off topic just so I can stir up further animosity towards me."

OK. I'll bite. You are an asshole. You seem to think that your experiences and your comfort levels are the only things that matter. Everyone who thinks otherwise is just "too sensitive." Why should everyone cater to your comfort at the expense of their own?

Newsflash, plenty of men sit to urinate. And I have never been in a men's bathroom that was urinal only, so why do you care who is sitting in the cubicle?

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Not exactly sure why I became the bad guy here but that's fine. I'm entitled to my opinion, as are you. If my opinions make me an asshole in your book, again you're entitled to your opinion. No one who knows me personally has ever referred to me that way (that I know of) so I'm not to bothered by the comment section on Uhub, even though I have tremendous respect for the site and it's visitors.

Why do bathrooms have cubicles? Seriously? I think you missed the bigger point. If a man decides to put on a dress, IMO, that does not give him the right to use the female bathroom. And I'm not the only one who thinks that way. Does that mean I agree with North Carolina and there draconian laws, of course not. If you believe/feel you are a woman, and you go through the steps to become a women, then you should be all means use the female bathroom.

Gay people should be able to do everything everyone else can do. I think we can all agree with that. But I don't think they need to always make a big deal out of being gay. Wear a rainbow shirt if you want, or walk holding hands with your partner. But to cry and essentially take your ball home because the organizers of some silly parade that doesn't really matter anyway won't let you be out and proud, is ridiculous and counterproductive in my opinion. There's nothing wrong with being proud of who you are. If you want to show your pride, then start and march in a gay pride parade, I don't see a problem with that. For the record I would say the same thing about a black lives matter group, or women group, or whoever else. Be who you are, that's fine. But every now and again it's ok to just be a human participating in a march.

People are too politically correct now days. It's ok to disagree about things that have two perfectly reasonable and valid view points. I don't think, nor do I want everyone to think like me. I enjoy debate, and I enjoy learning new things.

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How would a person just be human? There is no such thing. Each human being has a variety of identities. Beyond the singular identification as human there is tremendous difference.

If the Gay vets should just be human - assuming a definition could address that concept - and not ask for a focus on another aspect of their identity then why have a parade for veterans in the first place? Why not a general parade for all people where there is no distinction whatsoever?

As a species difference is fundamental. Without genetic difference any species is weaker. There is evidence that social diversity especially in childhood is better for society. So emphasizing difference is a social positive.

Would you argue that it's okay to discriminate against a group of veterans who want to walk behind a banner stating they are Jewish veterans? If that group was to raise a ruckus would you argue that they should just blend in with another group where their Jewish identity is lost in the crowd?

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If you're not sensitive, why do you care who does and doesn't march in the parade?

Outvets may have had a different experience serving than most, why shouldn't they be allowed to show their solidarity with each other and with people who are still serving our country and confront the same issues?

The whole point of a parade is to show solidarity in the face of some adversity. St. Patrick's Day is not a religious feast parade, it's a bunch of people who want to celebrate the adversity THEY perceived growing up Irish in Southie back in the day. From what I've heard, they did indeed overcome a lot to still be here today.

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since nearly everyone experiences some sort of discrimination at some point, the folks who are most frequently targeted should just suck it up, buttercup? That is impressively specious.

Also, we might not be able to force people to change their beliefs, but we sure as hell can make them change their actions. I want to see these chuckleheads get smacked down (again) in court, and then have the city pull their permit. That's a pretty good way to stop bigots from bigoting.

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Sure about that?

No, you can't force people to change their actions. Can we force a parade organizer to allow any and all groups to participate, I imagine so. That doesn't change the stigma that led whomever made that decision to feel differently, or act differently. Let's be clear, I could give two you-know-what's about this parade or its organizers. And again, I think gay people should have the same rights as everyone else. I just don't think they need to make everything about being gay.

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Gay people experience the most discrimination? Sure about that?

That was neither said nor suggested. Work on your reading comprehension skills, please.

No, you can't force people to change their actions.

You absolutely can. Not every action, but google "public accommodation" and you'll probably learn a thing or two.

I just don't think they need to make everything about being gay.

To people like you, we're "making everything about being gay" if we hold hands in public -- or if we stand up for ourselves when we're harassed for doing so -- so all I can say is: when you stop, we'll stop.

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Nothing changes if nothing changes. A 12 step concept that applies to everything. What changes perception and attitudes towards a segment of society that was commonly loathed only 50 years ago is presence, showing up and claiming one's place at the metaphorical table.

That requires presence and stating who and what a person is.

Are all veterans in this parade expected to hide the other elements of their identities? Are veterans of Irish descent expected to pretend they do not have Irish ancestors? Are Catholic veterans expected to pretend that they are Protestant or have no religious affiliation?

Perhaps there should be just one big mass of veterans marching without any distinction to who and what they are as human beings and citizens today?

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Do you think black people being visible changed attitudes and perceptions towards them? Or do you think it became less socially acceptable to be a racist and a bigot? Before you answer peruse any anonymous comment section and see how much hate still exists for no reason other than people not liking what is different than them.

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Do you think black people being visible changed attitudes and perceptions towards them?

In some ways? You better believe it did. Furthermore you're still ignoring the difference between visible and invisible stigma. Here's some reading for you.

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I mean, bro.... don't ask don't tell just got repealed like, five years ago. DOMA overturning was only 3. Hell, transgender people still can't use the bathroom without questioning in a lot of places. There's still dozens of places in the US where it's totally legit to fire someone, or deny them housing, because they're gay / trans / whatever.

It's not like this is old, ancient history for people. I get that MA particularly has been ahead of the curve on this, but the thing about being in the service is you don't just spend all your time in Mass. A lot of older vets fought in Vietnam, Korea, etc, and spent their whole lives in the closet during and after the war. Who couldn't get VA benefits for their partners of decades because there was no legal rights for it. Who lived with dishonorable discharge hanging over their heads because of something this petty, who were asked to be prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice but sit down and shut up when they asked for reasonable accommodations in civilian life. And who are STILL doing as much in plenty of other places around the country.

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Take all Boston Police out of South Boston for the entire day. Let the parade organizers try to run everything on their own with absolutely no help from city government.

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The anti-gay organizers are backwards, and on the wrong side of history.

The city will have to accommodate the speech&assembly rights of the parade organizers, with duty to the rest of the citizens.

Is there anything that says parade organizers get exclusive use of the streets on parade day? Or can "counter-paraders" parade alongside, or immediately before or after, without the consent of the organizers?

For public safety reasons (less time for watchers to get drunk and belligerent), have the marginalized groups parade immediately before.

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Just deny their permit. The city doesn't have to allow city street to be shut down nor a parade to be allowed.

Let them gather in city hall plaza for their free speech if they want.

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The City of Boston cannot just deny a parade just because they do not like it. According to Article VIII of the Traffic Rules and Regulations for the City of Boston. "The Commissioner of Transportation SHALL issue such permit in ALL cases except where the time, place, and manner are not in conformity with the Rules set forth below...

and "the Rules set forth below" do not provide a provision for not liking how the organizers allow or disallow certain groups from the parade. The "Rules" mostly have to do with time of day, and providing appropriate information and not being in conflict with another parade.

The City has been in court numerous times over trying to limit, restrict or modify parades and has always lost in recent years (after the 70's or so).

https://www.cityofboston.gov/images_documents/Traffic%20Rules%20and%20Re...

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Who wants to organize a parade following the same route on the Sunday after St Patricks day in 2018 and every year following. Let's take their date, lets get inclusive businesses on board, and lets make the case for a real and inclusive show of Boston.

I'm sure the city would be fine approving that. And you can't have two parade in the same place on the same day.

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That is exactly what the Veterans for Peace had tried to do for many years and the issue went to the Supreme Court of the United States. The Court said that the Veterans for Peace could have a parade on the same day but not at the same time and that the closest that the Veterans for Peace could follow the Allied War Veterans Parade would be a half a mile.

It is commonly referred to as the Hurley Decision.

This parade has been down this road before,

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Change a very minor detail, and litigate it until you finally gain ground with a friendly court.

Keep fighting, a court decision isn't final even from SCOTUS.

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A homophobic St Patricks Day parade in Boston?

I am totally shocked.

Next thing you'll tell me is that there are no minorities in the parade.

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It's 2017.

They're perpetuating the notion that people in Southie are a bunch of racist, homophobic dinosaurs that are out of touch with reality.

This group marched 2 years in a row without issue. What changed?????

Idiots.

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Like Trump, these folks are scared that demographics aren't favorable to the continued dominance of their race.

Make Parades Great Again

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against the dying of the white.

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Down to the Irish Riviera.

I hate these people, their pride of ignorance, and most of all their stupid throwback parade.

Theres nothing culturally enriching about drunk college kids, territorial townies, and nerds marching as stormtroopers.

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Scituate has a parade. Same pale faces, same dumb ass shamrocks and shenanigans crap.

As the son of Irish Immigrants (who loves real Irish culture and goes there a lot) I wince at the behavior and oddly bent culture appropriation. I only went once because my kids were little and kids like a parade.

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But does it have this yearly argument about anti-gay bigotry, or does it accept all veterans and Irish people regardless of sexual orientation?

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Can you fix it please? Maybe you meant to link to this ?

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Disgraceful. . Gay soldiers lived with enough stress and pressure in the military. We need to support all of our veterans - black, white, Latino, LGBT, etc. I hate how we treat the men and women who have served.

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who sponsors the parade? The organizers may be neanderthals, but they are clever enough not to post the names of corporate sponsors on their website.

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Harpoon and Sam Adams both pulled the plug years ago.

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Just posted on the decision by the guy who was to lead the parade.

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Very interesting. perhaps even ironic, that this is much more controversy, debate, and disdain for this parade opposed to the carribean parade, where gruesome heinus acts of gun violence are quite routine.

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I am Irish.

The decision to exclude gay veterans is not Irish, nor is it American.

Gay marriage is legal in the Republic of Ireland and in the U.S.

Time for the people on this committee to crawl back into their cave of bias.

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