Guinness Sponsoring New York St. Patrick's Day Parade Despite Ban On Gay Groups
The longtime ban on LGBT groups participating in the New York St. Patrick's Day Parade has cost organizers the support of sponsors and local politicians, including Mayor Bill De Blasio.
But the Celtic celebration can count on Guinness beer, which announced it will be sponsoring the March 17 parade, a reversal of the company's decision to drop out in 2014.
In September, Out@NBC-Universal, the LGBT affinity group for the television network that's airing the parade, has been invited to march under its own banner. Critics decried the invitation as a self-serving gesture, since no other groups are welcome.
But it was enough for Guinness' parent company, Diageo: A spokesperson told the Wall Street Journal “While there is still work to be done, we are pleased that the parade organizers have taken steps to allow the LGBT community to be represented.”
Heinekin and Sam Adams, which also dropped out of the St. Patrick's Day parade last year, have not indicated if they will be a part of this year's celebration.
