Erin Go Braugh?

Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated worldwide by the those who are Irish and even those who are not. Celebrations across the US are generally themed around all things Irish and by association, the color green.

The First St. Patrick’s Day parade was first held in Boston in 1761, organized by the Charitable Society and the first recorded parade was New York City’s celebration which began on 18 March 1762 when Irish soldiers in the English military marched through the city with their music.

Over the years it has become a tradition where those who are Irish, or perhaps just looking for a reason to party, drink green beer, eat corned beef, and party in excess.

However the event is not as gay as perhaps the little leprichaun may appear. In 1995, the organizers of Boston’s massive St. Patrick’s day parade (which in part is publicly funded) refused to grant permission to the Irish American Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Group of Boston (aka G.L.I.B.) to march in the annual parade. GLIB in turn sued the parade organizers, demanding they be granted access to the parade.

In the case of Hurley v. Irish-American Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Group of Boston, the Supreme Court found that private citizens organizing a public demonstration may not be compelled by the state to include groups who impart a message the organizers do not want to be included in their demonstration, even if such a law had been written with the intent of preventing discrimination.