By Matthew Monks
“Welcome to New York City's inclusive St. Patrick's Day parade,” event founder Brendan Fay announced to a crowd of several hundred marchers. “We're here to celebrate the spirit of Ireland and our Celtic heritage.”Revelers universally derided Manhattan's better-known St. Patrick's Day parade that bans gay marchers. “They don't let other groups march,” said Yuri Cantor, 26, of Manhattan, who was marching with about a dozen self-described anarchists who carried a black banner featuring the anarchy symbol inside a green shamrock. “It's really quite repulsive – that type of behavior and sentiment.”Cantor embraced the unity of the Sunnyside parade while distributing flaming pink fliers advocating “the elimination of imposed social hierarchy … We stand for the creation of a new society without borders and against the bosses, both orange and green.”As divisive as that might sound, the dissidents were welcomed with open arms. “We don't exclude anyone,” said Woodside resident Lillian Gross, of the Western Queens Independent Democrats. “We believe in civil rights,” added her friend, Gaye Fruscione, 42, of Briarwood. The Manhattan parade does not, said Keith Mulet, 19, who marched with Astoria's Generation Q, a drop-in center for gay youth that carried a rainbow-emblazoned banner. “They're ignoring that we exist. Just ignoring us doesn't mean we're going away,” Mulet said. “We have every right to be gay and Irish.”And in remarks before the procession, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said to raucous applause that homosexuals were guaranteed another right: “We need to make sure the city opens itself up to everybody. Opportunity means marriage should be available to everyone.”While the mayor did not march, other politicians did, including City Councilman Eric Gioia (D-Sunnyside), state Assemblyman Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria) and New Paltz Mayor Jason West, who was arrested after officiating several same-sex marriages . Reach reporter Matthew Monks by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 156.
