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With two days to the event, yet another high profile guest is boycotting the South Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade over its anti-gay policies. But it's not exactly a normal boycott.
Sam Adams Beer, the main sponsor of the parade, announced Friday that it was pulling its sponsorship after parade organizers repeatedly refused to fully accommodate LGBTQ community members. (Via Boston.com)
The Boston Beer Company, brewer of Sam Adams, said in a statement, *"We were hopeful an agreement could be reached... However, given the current status of the negotiations, this may not be possible."*
The announcement comes after Sam Adams began getting flak for its sponsorship that even led to a Club Café, an area gay bar, pulling the beer from its taps. The owner, Frank Ribaudo, scolded the brewery’s parade partnership.
*“I was in the Navy, I fought in Vietnam, I’ve lots of friends who’ve been in the military, that have fought for this country, and for us to be treated like second class citizens...” *(Via NECN)
It’s all a culmination of clashes between the parade organizers South Boston Allied War Veterans Council and equality group MassEquality that made headlines in the last few weeks.
The Council originally lifted the 20-year ban on gay participation after prodding by MassEquality and Boston mayor Marty Walsh. One organizer told the Los Angeles Times that LGBTQ members would *”be marching with a 'Happy St. Patrick’s Day' sign. That’s it. It’s a day of celebration, not demonstration.”*
But MassEquality was unsatisfied, joining a boycott of the parade by Walsh and Representative Stephen Lynch, one of the state’s House members. (Via WHDH)
Despite the criticism, the South Boston Parade’s website defended its decision, posting a press release saying *“We will not allow anyone to express harmful or inappropriate messages. This was a decision we made for the good of this parade.”*
It’s not the first dust-up for the embattled 2014 parade. In September, city officials quarreled over hosting duties of the event’s annual morning breakfast, before choosing a Haitian-American state senator. It’s the first ever non-Irishman to host the meal. (Via The Boston Globe)
And even after pulling their sponsorship, Sam Adams still plans to participate in the breakfast Sunday morning. Reported by Newsy 3 hours ago.
Clik here to view.
Watch VideoWith two days to the event, yet another high profile guest is boycotting the South Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade over its anti-gay policies. But it's not exactly a normal boycott.
Sam Adams Beer, the main sponsor of the parade, announced Friday that it was pulling its sponsorship after parade organizers repeatedly refused to fully accommodate LGBTQ community members. (Via Boston.com)
The Boston Beer Company, brewer of Sam Adams, said in a statement, *"We were hopeful an agreement could be reached... However, given the current status of the negotiations, this may not be possible."*
The announcement comes after Sam Adams began getting flak for its sponsorship that even led to a Club Café, an area gay bar, pulling the beer from its taps. The owner, Frank Ribaudo, scolded the brewery’s parade partnership.
*“I was in the Navy, I fought in Vietnam, I’ve lots of friends who’ve been in the military, that have fought for this country, and for us to be treated like second class citizens...” *(Via NECN)
It’s all a culmination of clashes between the parade organizers South Boston Allied War Veterans Council and equality group MassEquality that made headlines in the last few weeks.
The Council originally lifted the 20-year ban on gay participation after prodding by MassEquality and Boston mayor Marty Walsh. One organizer told the Los Angeles Times that LGBTQ members would *”be marching with a 'Happy St. Patrick’s Day' sign. That’s it. It’s a day of celebration, not demonstration.”*
But MassEquality was unsatisfied, joining a boycott of the parade by Walsh and Representative Stephen Lynch, one of the state’s House members. (Via WHDH)
Despite the criticism, the South Boston Parade’s website defended its decision, posting a press release saying *“We will not allow anyone to express harmful or inappropriate messages. This was a decision we made for the good of this parade.”*
It’s not the first dust-up for the embattled 2014 parade. In September, city officials quarreled over hosting duties of the event’s annual morning breakfast, before choosing a Haitian-American state senator. It’s the first ever non-Irishman to host the meal. (Via The Boston Globe)
And even after pulling their sponsorship, Sam Adams still plans to participate in the breakfast Sunday morning. Reported by Newsy 3 hours ago.
