The San Francisco St. Patrick's Day Parade will include a first-time contingent from the San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Celebration Committee.
SF Pride Board President Gary Virginia was elated with the invitation stating, "Identifying as LGBT crosses all races, cultures, and beliefs so what is the harm of inclusion? There are Irish LGBT people the world over, and non-Irish lovers of the holiday and parade, even in New York City and Boston where gays are still excluded."
This comes as pressure mounts against the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade's exclusionary policy. Additionally, Boston Beer, the parent company to Sam Adams has ceased its sponsorship of the Boston St. Patrick's Day Parade because of its LGBT exclusion.
San Francisco is one of the few large city St. Patrick's Day parades to include LGBT organizations. However, parades, organizations, and corporations are realizing that excluding LGBT people from such festivals is a bad idea. We expect to see the trend reverse in the very near future.