Pride & The Parade St. Patrick’s Parade organizers refused to budge on LGBTQ+ inclusion. How 2024 changed that.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- As the marchers began to line up at Hart Boulevard and Forest Avenue, Carol Bullock could feel her heart racing. A series of thoughts ran through her head. The most important of which was: “Is this really going to happen?”

The next year, a peaceful protest was held by LGBTQ+ activists, which included the participation of Hankins, along with state Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, the only elected official to take part.

Before the 2024 parade Scarcella-Spanton accompanied the Pride Center to hand in its application to march.

“This was the first time I actually went with them, and it broke my heart for them, because they really were coming in a humble way, trying to get access into a parade that they really care about,” she said.

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