Controversy erupts over exclusion of LGBT group from NYC’s India Day Parade

[La Lioness Priyanka]

by Scott Stiffler
EDGE Contributor
Wednesday Aug 19, 2009



Was the decision to exclude the South Asian Lesbian and Gay Association of New York City from the India Day Parade on Aug. 16 the result of an administrative oversight on the part of defile organizers or a deliberate snub?

"According to the FIA , we couldn’t march because we didn’t’ send in the application," SALGA-NYC spokesperson Priyanka Mitra told EDGE. "It’s not a philosophical or political opposition to us marching."

An Aug. 13 press release, however, made it seem as if SALGA was accusatory and ready for a protest

http://www.edgeunitedstates.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=&sc2=news&sc3=&id=95244

[jonnyblitz]

1. so what if you are accusatory and ready for protest. is that a

bad thing? :hi:

[La Lioness Priyanka]

2. no. we did end up protesting

:)

[JackBeck]

3. Great job, Priyanka!

It definitely looks like you got their attention and will be allowed to march next year.

And even though you couldn't celebrate the court decision over-turning India's anti-sodomy laws, hopefully by next year's parade, you'll be able to celebrate marriage equality in New York.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

4. did i tell you i met my state senator about MENY?

:hi:

[JackBeck]

8. I totally missed that. How did the meeting go?

Between collecting postcards and IPVR (in-person volunteer recruitment) on the weekends and traveling for work as much as I've been (SF twice in the last month, with even more trips in September and October), a few things have slipped by me about the people I care about :)

So were you nervous? Do you feel you cracked the surface and something positive will happen due to the meeting?

The crew down in South Jersey a few weeks back had a pretty intense meeting with a State Senator we've been trying to bring over to our side. I'd tell you more publicly, but ever since my stuff made NOM's email blast, I've been hesitant to say much about our progress in New Jersey.

But hey, like Sapph said when I had dinner with her last month on my first trip out to SF, "you haven't arrived until the right-wing starts quoting you!" ;)

[ThomCat]

5. Great Job, Priyanka!

:applause:

I'm very happy to see that you got publicity for this, got an apology, and a commitment to let SALGA march next year. Those are wonderful results. :hug:

:loveya:

[La Lioness Priyanka]

6. Thanks thom,

:loveya:

[RetiredTrotskyite]

7. Good Show!

I hope to hear that SALGA has marched in next year's parade.