The Lavender and Green Alliance, an Irish LGBTQ group founded by Drogheda man Brendan Fay in 1994, were a big hit with the crowds lining the route of the recent New York Pride Parade.
“People cheered when they saw our banner, ‘Lavender and Green Alliance / Muintir Aerach na hËireann celebrating Irish Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender, Heritage and Identity” Brendan told Drogheda Life. “Some members of the group held rainbow coloured BRÓD signs (Gaelic for pride).
“We remember and celebrate those who made the road for equality here and in Ireland. We remember those whose lives were cut short by AIDS, indifference, and anti LGBT violence.”
“We held posters of Robert Rygor (1953-1994), Mark Ashton (1960-1987), Fr. Mychal Judge of 9/11 (1933-2001), Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Lyra McKee (1990-2019) and others. We also remembered our friend Christopher Cook who died this past March.”
At Pride 2023 Lavender and Green Alliance honoured key moments in LGBT Irish history:
- The 40th anniversary of the Irish “Stonewall” protest against anti-gay violence in the wake of the murder of Declan Flynn in Dublin (1983).
- The 30th anniversary of the decriminalization of homosexuality in Ireland led by David Norris and Mary Robinson (1993).
- The 30th anniversary of the arrest of over 200 Irish at the NYC St Patrick’s Day parade in support of LGBTQ inclusion (1993).
- The 20th anniversary of the founding of the Civil Marriage Trail (2003) bringing couples across borders for legal marriage.
Fay said, “As with every Pride march we meet immigrants who have just arrived as well as elders and youth from across the city for whom this is their first time to be out and open. This is a huge moment and profound personal experience of relief and joy.
“In power and pride we come out together and rise together. We raise our voices in solidarity and friendship for our LGBTQ communities in New York, Ireland, Florida, Uganda, Poland, Ukraine and across the world. We are: Amach Le Chéile – Out Together.”
Maya Milton, whose family come from Dublin and is a transgender organizer said, “It’s important to come together and be visible when our human rights and our lives are under attack. I am proud to be a transgender Irish American and feel blessed to march with my friends in Lavender and Green Alliance.
