Snapshots from Scrapbook…
Copyright 2003. Lavender and Green Alliance, Inc. All rights reserved
1988
Spring
With the encouragement of the late Craig Rodwell, 1967 founder of the Oscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop (and co-founder of the Christopher Street Liberation Day Parade (now run by Heritage of Pride), Brendan Fay places a notice on the bookshop's community bulletin board. After a number of telephone exchanges Irish lesbian and gay immigrants begin meeting at various locations like The Red Lion, The Eagle Tavern and Julius’s. It was daring and bold time as we wear our pink triangles and tricolors declaring ourselves Irish, lesbian and gay New Yorkers! Meetings also take place in people’s apartments.
May
Many in the Irish lesbian and gay community are devastated by an anti gay “witch hunt” against Fr. Bernard Lynch SMA. Fr. Bernard from Ennis Co. Clare is widely known throughout the city for his work with Dignity NY, his ministry to PWA’s (people with AIDS) and his public advocacy and ministry in the lesbian and gay community. The molestation trial drags on into I989 when Judge Burton Roberts not only finds Bernard NOT GUILTY but “INNOCENT”. Further investigation uncovers “conspiracy” against the priest.
1990
April
Following a brief story in the IRISH VOICE The Irish Lesbian and Gay Organization (ILGO) is formed at a gathering in a Japanese restaurant
May
About fifty people or so pack into a room in the Lesbian and Gay Community Center in Manhattan for ILGO’s second meeting. There is a great sense of solidarity among the newest vibrant Irish community group. For many it’s a first to be “out and open” with other Irish /Irish American brothers and sisters.
June
For the first time Irish lesbian and gay people march as a contingent in the city’s annual pride march. A piper leads the contingent. At various spots along the route we pause for a jig. Some step off the sidelines and join. A picture of the group passing the barricaded St Patrick’s Cathedral appears in the Irish Voice.
A week later some of us travel to Huntington for The Long Island Pride parade. We are enthusiastically cheered along the parade routes.
October 10.
A profile of ILGO appears in the IRISH VOICE. Author Brian Rohan reports on Irish lesbian and gay issues of concern and profiles personal stories. As a result there are a lot of new faces at the group meetings. Two realities ethnic and sexual identities, being Irish and gay/lesbian hold a group together that is otherwise quite diverse and somewhat divided.
October
After much discussion ILGO applies to participate in the forth coming March 1991 St. Patrick’s parade.
1991
January
The Ancient Order of Hibernians, which oversees the 5th Ave. St Patrick’s Parade, replies to ILGO’s request saying that there is a waiting list with about 30 groups ahead of ILGO! (Described later by Judge Kevin Duffy as “The waiting list to nowhere”).
March
Journalist Joe Nicholson breaks the story of ILGO in the New York Post. Mayor, David Dinkins, offers to extend the parade to accommodate groups on the so called “waiting list”. AOH’s parade chair Frank Beirne is not interested in the mayor’s offer. Anne Maguire and Paul O Dwyer negotiate on our behalf. A compromise is reached between City hall, the AOH, and ILGO. We are to march without our banner. The mayor offers to “be our banner” by marching with our contingent instead of the traditional mayoral spot at the head of the parade.
March 16th
ILGO members march as guests of AOH DIV. 7.
Irish lesbian and gay people OPENLY participate for the first time in a NY St Patrick’s Parade It’s a historical and remarkable moment in the story of Irish lesbian and gay life. Fifth avenue is transformed into a “gauntlet of jeers and cheers”. A beer can thrown at the mayor. The public display of outright bigotry and ignorance shock many.
March 17
Mayor David Dinkins joins Irish lesbian and gay people for a “celebration” in Sheridan Square. Robert Rygor’s father Stanley provides accordion Music for the ceili dancing. For many of us this is amazing both dancing a jig with the Mayor of New York and seeing a gay activist (Robert Rygor) out, open and supported by family!
June
After the publicity around ILGO’s participation in the St Patrick’s parade and a series of meetings at the school Brendan Fay loses his job as religion teacher at a Catholic High School for girls in Queens. His contract is not renewed. The non-renewal of contract also threatens his visa status. The controversy appears all over the media on both sides of the Atlantic. Headlines in Ireland read,
“Gay teacher is sacked by nuns after March”. ILGO and Dignity NY rally to Brendan’s support. Ann Maguire and Eileen Clancy help Brendan with media.
June 22
Detailed story appears in Irish Voice about the school firing controversy.
June 24
At events celebrating LGBT pride month Anne Maguire and Brendan Fay represent the Irish lesbian and gay community and speak throughout the city including Brooklyn’s Borough hall and at New York’s Heritage of Pride pre-march rally in Union Square.
1992
January
The Human Rights Commission holds legal hearing claiming discrimination by the AOH in violation of the city’s human rights law. Ann Maguire and Brendan Fay testify at the hearings
March
An Interfaith service in solidarity with ILGO is held at St Peter’s Episcopal church in Chelsea. The event is organized by Brendan Fay who is now working for MCC. Many religious and civic leaders attend. Others send messages including the National Coalition of American Nuns. Many are moved by Susan McKeowns rendition of O’Riada’s “Ag Chriost an Siol.”
March 17
Sebastian Arajo, Ann Maguire, Brendan Fay, Tarlach MacNialllais, Lucy Lynch among others carry the ILGO banner up 5th avenue in a protest march from 59th street to 68th street prior to the parade. Many wear black bands across our mouths. We view the parade from a police pen at 68th Street.
The BBC in a documentary on recently arrived Irish immigrants tell Brendan Fay’s story about growing up Irish, Catholic and gay. The program airs in Ireland and England.
August 7
An overflow crowd including many of his friends from Dignity fills the church for the funeral of Timothy McGinty. Tim was well known as an Irish American Catholic gay leader in NYC. He traveled to many schools, colleges and churches boldly speaking about living with AIDS and calling for change in attitude.
1993
March 3rd
Brendan Fay travels to the Sandcastle Lounge, Staten Island and speaks with members of Lambda Associates.
March 7th
Barred from the 5th avenue parade ILGO members Lucy lynch and Brendan Fay join Staten Island activists at their parade. From their protest at the sidelines they dance a few sets. The NY Times captures the mood with a picture and story the next day.
March 15th
A second ecumenical evening prayer service in support of ILGO is held at St Paul the Apostle Church at 59th street. Donald Maher, a lay leader in the church establishes a ministry outreach to the parish’s lesbian and gay Catholic Community. The pastor, before a packed congregation extends a sincere welcome to all.
March 17
A massive pre parade demonstration in front of the NYC public library results in over 230 arrests. All are charged with “criminal contempt.”
April 20
AOH Div 7 suspended from the Ancient Order of Hibernians. The division under the leadership of Bernie Morris had complained about their March 17 barring from the St. Patrick’s Parade. They were rejected as the “fag division” because of their welcome to lesbian and gay people to march as their guests in 1991.
May 4
Brendan Fay joins members of the Catholic group Dignity in a dialogue meeting with Bishop Joseph Sullivan, auxiliary bishop of Queens and Brooklyn. The meeting takes place at the Church of the Assumption in Brooklyn heights.
May 12
Protest at St John’s University. Extensive media attention as faculty, students and alumni call for an end to discrimination against lesbian and gay people at the Jamaica campus. Brendan Fay a graduate of the theology department is one of the speakers and calls for a renewed understanding of the university as a place of critical reflection and open dialogue. Among the student leaders are Jimmy Van Bremer and Marion Irwin.
June 18
Craig Rodwell (52) community activist, pioneer and founder of the Oscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop (1967) dies after a long and painful struggle with stomach cancer.
June 27
Brendan Fay preaches homily at a service for Gay Pride Sunday at the Unitarian Universalist Church on 76th Street.
June 30
The Irish minister for Justice Maire Geoghan-Quinn announces passage of a historic bill decriminalizing homosexual activity. The new law sates “any rule of law by virtue of which buggery between persons is an offense is hereby abolished”.
July 7
President Mary Robinson signs the new “decriminalizing” law. The new legislation in Ireland is unique in that all citizens are treated equally with regard to the age of consent of 17
August 3-10, 10-17, 17-21
Irish Voice series on AIDS in the Irish Community
Aug 23
Brendan Fay stabbed in Bedford Ave. Brooklyn, suffers collapsed lung and is hospitalized.
1994
January 15
After a life dedicated to justice and inclusiveness, Robert Rygor, renowned community leader and Irish American gay activist dies from complications due to AIDS. Robert led the first Irish gay contingent into the line of the NYC St. Patrick's Day Parade in 1978. Called "GAYLICS". The group carried a nine foot-long banner reading "Gay Irish Americans". Robert’s family, friends and the community mourn his loss. Later Stanley, Robert’s father donates his megaphone to an ACT UP gathering.
February
Informal conversations among some "members" of ILGO and others from the Irish lesbian and gay communities leads to the realization and birth of a new group. Among those involved Tim Lonergan, Bill Shanahan, and Brendan Fay etc. Out of this intra group conflict … birth of new group.
The city of New York resolves its case with the AOH with a settlement of $150,000 and a permanent St. Patrick’s parade permit!
February 28
Long time activist, Aldyn McKean dies. From Troy, NY Aldyn -tenor, activist and one of the founders of Act-Up was also one of the leading activists with ILGO.
March 16
“Reflections on St Patrick”, a service of welcome for gay and lesbian people with traditional music, prayer, scripture and dance at St. Peter’s Church, Chelsea. Host Donald E. Maher and the gay & lesbian Catholic Ministry of St Paul the Apostle Church.
March 17
What is now becoming an annual tradition on St. Patrick’s day-103 are arrested after stepping onto 5th ave.
Mar. 22
This Tuesday evening the first meeting of the newly formed Lavender & Green Alliance (Muintir Aerach na hEireann) is held at the Lesbian and Gay Community Services Center at 208 west 13th Street. Members discuss the organization's role as parallel/complimentary to ILGO and possible Lavender & Green-sponsored cultural/social activities.
June 1-30
"Windows On Gay Life” exhibit for Stonewall 25. Lavender and Green’s Brendan Fay and Peter Hendrick research and design an exhibit on Irish lesbian and gay history. The exhibit is displayed on the storefront window of McNulty's Tea & Coffee Co., Inc. at 109 Christopher Street. The central piece of the exhibit displayed the map of Ireland with an overlay of a pink triangle and a poem by Cathal Ó Searchaigh “Ceann Dubh Dilis”. The window sponsor is Angela Carter from Irish Books and Graphics.
1995
March 11
Lavender and Green, along with the Queen’s Lesbian and Gay Pride Committee, hosts the first Oíche Aerach (Gay Night) celebration. Frustrated with years of exclusion and protests, many felt it was time to celebrate and claim our Irish gay heritage. Held in Unitarian Universalist church in Flushing. Over 70 attend the traditional affair. Among the guests is Irish immigrant Chaplain, Fr. Colm Campbell. Festivities included traditional Irish food and with music and set dancing by folks from the Irish Arts Center. The event draws considerable media attention. The Irish immigrant chaplain later causes a major stir in the community by comparing his presence to that of a “visit to a prison”. The second priest who comes to the event finds his way to Dignity NY. Other than the difficulty in finding the place the event is a major success.
March 17
Lavender and Green members are among the hundred or so arrested for protesting the exclusion of Irish lesbian and gay people from the annual St. Patrick's Day parade in Manhattan.
April 5
Forum on “Same Sex Unions Blessings by the Church” with Lambda Associates of Staten Island
May 14
At a community forum, Alexi Kandratiev, Brendan Fay and Tarlach MacNiallais discuss the role of lesbian and gay people in the struggle for Irish independence from 1916 to the modern movement.
July 9
The screening of "An Saol Aerach", an Irish language documentary prompts Lavender and Green members to begin regular classes in Irish language under guidance of Seosamh McCloskey. Classes are held at the Christopher Street offices of Dignity NY, a gay and lesbian Catholic organization, in Greenwich Village.
August
Controversy swirls around the upcoming exhibit “GAELIC GOTHAM: A HISTORY OF THE IRISH IN NEW YORK CITY”. Lavender and Green are invited to be part of the exhibit. Quickly the plan deteriorates as we become aware of the lack of fairness at the city museum. Brendan Fay and others begin meeting to organize and respond. The controversy and consequent bitter disputes last for months and divide the NY Irish community.
Dec. 14
Lavender & Green and Clann An Uabhair, New York’s gay Scottish organization, celebrate the Christmas season with "Nollaig Aerach". A clothing drive is held for New York's homeless and donations are later sent to the Catholic Worker)
1996
March 9
After the welcome for hosting Oíche Aerach II was withdrawn by the Catholic Center of NYU, Lavender and Green was warmly received by the Reverend Alan Harris of the Park Avenue Christian Church on New York’s Upper West side
Along with the festive music and dance, this year's celebration marked the beginning of a new tradition -- honoring community leaders. This year's honorees were parents Carmel Tavadia, (founder of Queens PFLAG) Audrey Gallagher (Danny Dromm’s mother and Stanley and Kathleen Rygor (parents of Robert Rygor). Also honored was Terry McGovern, founder of New York's HIV Law Project.
Messages of support are received from NY's Irish History Roundtable, The National Coalition of American Nuns and Bishop T. Gumbleton, bishop of Detroit.
The exhibit “GAELIC GOTHAM: A HISTORY OF THE IRISH IN NEW YORK CITY” opens at the city museum .
March 17
Members of Lavender & Green join with ILGO outside the New York public Library to protest exclusion of lesbian and gay people from Manhattan's St. Patrick's Day parade. Many are arrested.
June
Brendan Fay is a grand marshal at the Queens Lesbian & Gay Pride parade. Brendan's family visits from Drogheda to witness and celebrate the occasion.
July 24
After a courageous struggle with terminal illness, Carmel Tavadia, Irish immigrant, mother, activist and president of Queens Parents, Friends and Family of Lesbians and Gays (P-FLAG), dies. A great loss to our community.
September 5
Brendan Fay, Barbara Mohr, Dr. Tom Moulton and Tom Nulty start a group to address the needs of those with HIV/AIDS in the Irish community. The Irish AIDS Outreach (IAO) has its first meeting at Bailey House, an agency serving the larger HIV/AIDS population.
September 19
Jesús Lebrón and Brendan Fay meet with ESPA leaders to question the honoring of the city’s mayor, Rudy Giuliani, given his opposition to equal marriage rights.
October
New York’s Polish lesbian and Gay group RAZEM invite members of lavender and Green to march with them in the Polish Day Parade.
October 9
We participate in a town hall meeting on same sex marriage
December 5
At the Irish pub Flannery's on 14th street, IAO holds its first outreach community “meeting” with Sister Edna McNichols and presents the Irish documentary "Stories From Silence" on the personal and social challenges of living with the AIDS.
Dec. 14
Lavender & Green and Clann An Uabhair co-host a Christmas celebration.
1997
January 25
We join Clann an Uabhair for their annual Robert Burns Supper night
February 1
Lavender & Green members join Irish Aids Outreach for a "Spring Fling"(trade music and stories) in the Bronx to further promote the message of AIDS awareness and its impact in that borough's Irish population.
March 8
At this 150th anniversary of the Irish famine, Brendan Fay, Daniel Dromm and Tom Moulton gather with the Irish community for a daylong forum at St. John's University, the largest Catholic university in the U.S. We have a table along side other community groups. AIDS and the needs of Irish lesbian and gay immigrants are among some of the topics discussed. WE distribute hundreds of flyers and letters addressed to Dr. Leahy (a grand marshal of that year's St. Patrick's Day parade in Manhattan) and Father Colin Campbell (a marshal of the Brooklyn St. Patrick's parade) are distributed that urge compassion and further action to fight AIDS and inviting them to join Lavender and Green’s upcoming Oiche Aerach 111. We receive no reply to our invites!
March 15
Lavender & Green's 3rd annual celebration, Oíche Aerach III is held at the Park Avenue Christian Church. Around 200 hundred celebrate Irish gay heritage and the Roger Casement & Eva Gore Booth leadership awards are presented to Belfast activist Tarlach MacNiallais and Colleen Meenan, Esq. Also honored is Father John McNeill, one of the founders of Dignity USA. The dinner was dedicated to the memory of Carmel Tavadia leader of Queen’s PFLAG who died the previous summer
March 16
Lavender & Green joins with the Queens Lesbian & Gay Pride Committee for a St. Patrick's celebration at Cobblestones in Forest Hills, Queens.
March 17
Lavender & Green protests again at the New York Public Library and St. Patrick's Cathedral the exclusion of lesbians and gay men from the St. Patrick's Day parade.
March 19
Members of lavender and green gather for the Manhattan Borough President’s (Ruth Messinger) St Patrick’s Reception ” honoring and celebrating the contributions of new Yorkers of Irish ancestry”. IRISH AIDS OUTREACH members are among the awardees.
June 18
For lesbian and gay pride month, "Celtic Pride", a celebration of music, poetry and song, is held at New York's midtown Oscar Wilde bar.
July 15
Brendan is a surprise guest on Dublin's "Out In The Open" radio program. Calthal Ó Searcaigh is interviewed and made aware of his New York activist fans!
1998
February 4
Jimmy McNulty and Brendan Fay write to the Irish Echo on behalf of Lavender and Green lamenting the death of Bernie Morris. One of the leaders of AOH Div. 7 who invited Irish lesbian and gay people to march in 1991, Bernie was a committed and consistent fighter against bigotry and discrimination in Belfast or in New York.
February 12
Lavender & Green endorses and joins New York's lesbian and gay community for a “National Freedom To Marry Day” held on the steps of City Hall.
March 7
Oíche Aerach IV is held at the Park Avenue Christian Church. Honored are Rena Blake and Al Lawrence. Listowel born Rena Blake is as an early ILGO organizer and co owner of The Rising Café, a home for Brooklyn’s Irish lesbian and gay population. Al Lawrence, a founder of Dignity Suffolk started the nations first lesbian and gay bagpipe band, The Long Island Ravens. The NY Catholic Worker Community prepares and serves dinner! Collaboration and friendship begins between our two movements.
March 17
Brendan and Barbara distribute leaflets (How to have a happy St. Patrick’s day!) at St. Patrick's Cathedral after attending the 8.30 am mass and later at the New York Public Library. Most people express dismay at the ongoing exclusion of Irish lesbians and gay men from the Manhattan parade.
April 19
Paddy Hyde of the Wild Geese Society in Philadelphia and Brendan Fay present on the life of Irish gay patriot Roger Casement.
June 2
Lavender and Green testifies at City Council hearings on Intro 330A, New York City's Domestic Partners Bill.
June 11
Lavender and Green's Brendan Fay receives an award by New York City Comptroller Alan Hevesi at a ceremony in New York City Hall.
Hevesi, financial manager of the City, cites Brendan's early involvement with the Irish Lesbian and Gay Organization (ILGO) and the subsequent loss of his teaching position in 1991 and founding of the Lavender and Green Alliance and Irish AIDS Outreach.
June 24
An evening of "Celtic Pride" festivities is held at the Lesbian & Gay Community Services Center.
1999
February 6
At the Brooklyn Irish American Parade committee’s "24th Annual Installation Dance” Lavender & Green members Donald Maher, Tom Moulton, and Brendan Fay approach Parade committee chair Kathleen McDonagh with a letter requesting participation in the borough's parade. Ms McDonagh is invited to Lavender & Green's upcoming Oíche Aerach V. Days later in the Irish Echo Ms. McDonagh deny even getting the letter!
February 7
Danny Dromm and Brendan Fay speak at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Flushing.
March 4
Lavender & Green receives a call welcoming the group to march in the Bronx St. Patrick's parade on March 14th. The news is cheered at our annual Oiche Aerach.
March 6
Oíche Aerach V takes place at the mid-town St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Parish Centre despite threats and opposition. Over 250 attend, including Ciara Delaney, representing the Irish Consular offices in New York. A tribute was paid to the late civil rights activist and former City Council president, Paul O'Dwyer, Esq. Donations were collected to help writer Robert Drake, a victim of a brutal bias attack in Sligo just a few weeks prior. The Roger Casement & Eva Gore Booth Leadership awards were presented to Marion Irwin, who flies in from Ireland for the event, and Daniel O'Donnell.
Marion came to New York to run long distance track and to pursue Sociology studies. While attending St. John's University, Marion became a leader of the student's lesbian and gay group and an organizing activist with ILGO. After graduation she became a tenants organizer in the Bronx.
Daniel O'Donnell, a NY-based attorney, is honored for his commitment to the poor through his work as a teacher, lawyer and advocate. A respected leader in the lesbian and gay community, Daniel lives with his partner of 18 years in New York.
March 11
Brendan Fay receives a call from Patrick Devine of the Bronx St. Patrick's Parade Committee. The welcome to march in the parade this year has been withdrawn!
March 13
New York's media, including Newsday, NY Post, and NY Times report widely on the Bronx parade controversy. Brendan Fay and Jimmy McNulty work into the night hoping to resolve and avoid another potential parade crisis.
March 14
Lavender & Green members attend the pre-parade mass at St. Benedict's Parish in the Bronx and later attend the parade breakfast! Despite the best efforts of Lavender & Green members Stanley Rygor, Tom Moulton, Barbara Ann Mohr, Brendan Fay--personal pleadings with political, religious and community leaders--the parade organizers remain stubborn in their exclusion of lesbian and gay members of the Irish community.
Later six are arrested including NY State Senator Thomas K. Duane and City Council Member Christine Quinn, Jimmy van Bremer and Brendan Fay. All are temporarily detained in the Bronx and issued summonses for "disorderly conduct."
March 21
After attending a pre-parade mass at Holy Name Church and a community breakfast, all attempts to march in Brooklyn's St. Patrick's parade in Park Slope fail. Protests were planned through joint effort between local activists from the Lambda Independent Democrats (LID) and Lavender & Green. As some members of lavender and Green are being arrested others carry rainbow and Irish flags with the "Six Towns Bicentennial Committee" contingent. They are cheered along the parade route. In total, eight were arrested and charged with "parading without a permit".
May 1-2
Lavender & Green participates in a conference titled "Sharing Strategies for Survival, Resistance and Empowerment of Oppressed Communities from Belfast to Capetown to New York and Beyond” at Riverside Church.
April 26
Charges of "parading without a permit” are dismissed by a Brooklyn judge.
June
Lavender & Green marches in the Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Bronx lesbian and gay pride marches.
August 9
After numerous court appearances, all charges related to the Bronx St. Patrick's parade arrests are dropped!
October 4
Lavender and Green sends a letter to the Brooklyn St Patrick Parades co chair Kathleen McDonagh. We are met with silence.
October 10
Lavender & Green's Seosamh McCloskey translates Dignity USA's "Solidarity Sunday Prayer and Pledge" into Irish. Solidarity Sunday is a national campaign that addresses the prejudice and violence directed to and experienced by lgbt people within the Catholic church and society.
December 20
The Vermont Supreme Court rules in favor of Equal benefits and rights for same sex couples. (Civil Unions) Lavender and Green joins Marriage Equality NY and other community groups at a 7pm celebration and jubilant rally in Sheridan Square.
2000
Jan/February
Thanks to our dance enthusiast/expert Ben Foley weekly sessions in Irish set dancing began at the Center. The response -- enthusiastic! Soon same-sex couples are jigging it every Tuesday at the Center.
B.B.C. channel 4 hears about our dance sessions. A documentary team over profiling Lavender & Green's Pat Harrington includes a segment of Patricia doing a set!!
Classes in Irish language continue with Seosamh McCloskey. A dream comes true for Lavender & Green members with a meeting/dinner with Donegal Poet Cathal O' Searcaigh.
February
Our web site is set up and maintained. Within days hundreds from around the world are checking out our web page; www.lavenderandgreen.com
In a March review of internet sites related to Ireland, the NY Times recommends our site.
March 5
St. Pat's for All! We march with our banner in New York City's first inclusive St. Patrick's parade. Over 70 contingents, including unions, youth groups, and other lgbt groups like ILGO, SAGE, Dignity, lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corps, Cleveland Irish lesbian and Gay Group led by Dian Kilian...all march under unusually wonderful sunny skies. People come from all over the country to share in the historical moment. Political and labor leaders, hear James Nelson from the Chinicock Nation open the nations first inclusive St Patrick’s Parade. Fr. Mychal Judge walks with the Emerald Isle Immigration Center of Woodside. First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton joins as her 1st ethnic/cultural parade in a campaign for NY senate...Ellen Duncan and Brendan Fay are co-chairs of this historic event which is profiled in media stories worldwide!
March 11
Oíche Aerach V1 takes place in Larkin Hall St. Francis Xavier Catholic Parish. Over 200 pack the hall and sing and dance to the music of Sorcha Dorcha. Jeff Conway and Sr. Jeannine Gramick are the 2000 Roger Casement & Eva Gore Booth Leadership awards. Jeff, whose people hail from Mayo, followed his father’s footsteps in to the plumbing world. Struggling to deal with being gay he joined the US marines only to be discharged when he became HIV positive. Discrimination followed. His hope was restored at St Francis Xavier and at GMHC and then began a passionate campaign on behalf of Children with AIDS.
Jeannine began pastoral outreach in 1971 in the Philadelphia Catholic gay community and continues to be one of the most visible and outspoken advocates for compassion and justice for the LGBT community in the Church and society. In 1977 she co founded New Ways Ministry. Her many book titles include Building Bridges and Voices of Hope resulted in a Vatican investigation. Undaunted and refusing to be silent she continues her advocacy. Later in the celebration Sean Curran and Co. dazzles and challenges all with his dance
March 17
Lavender & Green joins the Irish Lesbian & Gay Organization (ILGO) and hundreds of supporters in protesting the exclusion of Irish lesbian & Gay people from the St. Patrick's Parade. The chilly temperatures and snow mirror the stubborn cold AOH hearted exclusionary policy toward Irish lesbian and gay people.
March 19
Brooklyn's 25th Annual Irish American Day Parade. After attending the pre-parade mass and greeting Bishop Thomas Daily afterwards (when we urged him to help resolve and heal the parade crisis), members followed the banner from place to place along the parade route. We then set our banner up across the street from the review stand at 9th street and Prospect Park West.
Many parade participants wished us well! Family members of the late Chief Patrick D. Brennan (NYPD) to whom the parade was dedicated, came over to express their support and solidarity!
Brooklyn's Lambda Independent Democrats help with our efforts.
June 5
We join members of Dignity NY for a lunchtime protest at the Vatican Mission. This was in solidarity and support of Sister Jeannine Grammick and Father Robert Nugent.
Lavender & Green marches proudly in the Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Bronx parades.
November 14
At the National Conference of Catholic Bishop’s fall meeting Brendan Fay is among those arrested for “incommoding” at the Soulforce protest at the national shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington.
November 30
On the occasion of the centenary of Oscar Wilde’s death activists from Lavender and Green Brendan Fay, Seosamh McCloskey, Dian Killian along with the International Gay and lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) gather outside the Argentinean consulate to protest the Feb. 2000 death of transgender activist Vanessa Ladesma while in police custody.
The consul general met with Brendan Fay and Scott long, spoke of his affection for the Irish and promised a follow-up.
December 3
Ellen Duncan and Brendan Fay receive the Queen’s PFLAG Carmel Tavadia Award for organizing New York’s breakthrough first inclusive St. Patrick’s Parade.
December 24
One of the founders of Lavender and Green, Bill Shanahan passes away suddenly at his home in Astoria, Queens. An unexpected and sad loss for Bill’s family and friends.
2001
March 16
For Oiche Aerach V11 we return to St. Paul the Apostle Church at 59th Street. The annual gathering is dedicated to the memory of Bill Shanahan. People speak of Bill’s humor, kindness and warmth. Honored are Christine Quinn and Gary Mallon. Vice Consul Cait Moran represents the Irish consul in NY and Tony Regan of Dublin Aids Alliance addresses the group on hopes for a joint HIV project. We dance and sing into the early hours!
March 17
Along with Tony Regan of Dublin Aids Alliance we meet with the Irish Minister for Health Mr. Michael Martin to discuss the needs of Immigrants with AIDS.
March 28
A forum: “Irish, Queer and Equal: Queer organizing in the North of Ireland”.
April 1
The Netherlands becomes the first country to extend civil marriage to same sex couples. We join leaders and activists from Marriage Equality for a celebration and tribute of thanks at the NY Dutch Consulate.
July 11
A report in the Irish Echo on the popularity of Gaelic classes in New York City includes Lavender and Green’s.
July 14
Lavender & Green’s Barbara Mohr and Brendan Fay join a large march / demonstration from Dag Hammerskold plaza to The Vatican Mission at E. 39th Street. This was to protest the sexual harassment, exploitation and rape of Religious Sisters by clergy around the world and call the Catholic Church to accountability.
July 21
We march for civil rights in the Bronx at the 4th Annual Bronx Pride Parade and Multi-festival
September 9th
Brendan Fay travels to Long Island to for a screening of “Remembering Robert” at the PFLAG meeting in Garden City. Afterwards the group discusses ways to address prejudice.
September 10th
We join hundreds for a presentation on the Good Friday Agreement by Senator George Mitchell at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal church.
September 11
8.46am… the terrorists attack on the WTC in New York. …We are in shock, we are devastated. We call and e-mail friends, family and community in the city and back in Ireland. Later that evening we learn that among those who died is Fr. Mychal Judge OFM., chaplain to the FDNY. The following brief statement is issued….
“We have lost a mighty rare friend and have suffered greatly. From the New York Fire Dept. to the homeless he loved so much.. immigrants, prisoners, New York's lesbian and gay community, people with AIDS, people in recovery, the Franciscan community, Stephen McDonald and his family... Mychal walked with us, touched our lives, and lifted us up!
Whether with presidents, cardinals or the homeless... in the White House, the fire house, the street corner..Mychal Judge was the same man! He had little time for airs and graces. All of us feel his absence greatly. Our hearts go out to his beloved sisters Erin, Dympna and their families.
Over the coming days may we find ways to overcome the devastating hate of this tragedy. Where there is hatred may we sow peace…as did Mychal Judge in the spirit of his father Francis.
With a very heavy heart... and in grateful memory of Mychal.. let us walk as he did... with love, life and laughter. With his prayers from heaven we will continue his ministry of care, hospitality and compassion” Brendan Fay
September 15
We join the thousands for the funeral of our friend Fr. Mychal Judge OFM.
October 11
“A Month’s Mind”, an evening of prayer, stories and traditional music, is held at General Theological Seminary in memory of Fr. Mychal Judge OFM.
December 10
Screening of documentary: "A Months Mind " at the Irish Arts Center. People are deeply moved and many to tears ….all join in the closing song “Wild Mountain Thyme”.
2002
February 2
We join Clann an Uaibhair (The Scottish group) for their annual Robert Burns night supper and dance.
March 3
3rd annual inclusive St. Patrick’s Parade, Sunnyside-Woodside Queens. For the first time the Mayor of New York Michael Bloomberg joins the parade. Which is dedicated to the memory of Fr. Mychal Judge. September 11th Families for peaceful Tomorrows founder Colleen Kelly also joins us.
March 4
De Jimbe plays at local schools to the delight of teachers and kids.
March 16
Barbara Mohr and Brendan Fay attend Mass at St Patrick’s cathedral and later distribute leaflets calling for greater acceptance and inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons within the Irish community.
Our annual Oiche Aerach event canceled at St Francis Xavier …. We are told group members told we are no longer welcome… people waiting outside the empty Larkin hall. NY post carries the story. Attempts by Lavender and Green to reconcile and resolve the issue are rebuffed.
March 24
Screening of “Documentary” – A MONTH’S MIND at the NYU cantor center, Manhattan as part of the 2002 Film Fleadh.
May 19
Barbara Mohr, Mary Manhardt, Brendan Fay and Carl Siciliano don “rainbow sashes” during the liturgy for the feast of Pentecost at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. This gesture is part of an international witness. Similar actions take place in other churches and cathedrals around the world. All four receive communion.
June 6
Testify before NY state assembly and senate committee on the needs of same sex couples and families
June
New York City Council Hero Awards presented to leaders of ILGO, Lavender and Green, and The Queen’s St Patrick’s Parade for “dedication to making our communities more inclusive and accepting of all”.
June 25
We testify at a NY City Hall hearing to “amend the administrative code of the city of New York in relation to the recognition of marriages that are not recognized by the state of New York, domestic partnerships, and civil unions, lawfully entered into in other jurisdictions.”
July 1
Lavender and Green Alliance awarded a grant for a history project recording the lives of Irish LGBT people in the city. The award was presented by Steve Mendelssohn director of Manhattan Neighborhood Network and Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields at the Harlem Media Center.
August 7th
Roy Miller and Tanya wedding in city hall… Brendan Fay and Robert Lubell are the legal witnesses
August 10th
Summer celebration Oiche Aerach IX is held at St Paul the Apostle church and we host a wedding reception for Roy and Tanya as part of our celebration.
About 200 pack the parish hall and spend the summer night singing and dancing to the sounds of Morning Star. The 2002 Roger Casement & Eva Gore Booth Leadership awards are presented to FDNY fire fighter and founder of FIRE/FLAG Tom Ryan also Mary Kilbride. Mother, community advocate and national leader for catholic parents group. A poignant moment in the evening celebrations is the remembering of those who lost their lives in the Sept.11th tragedy. A memorial is set up to Mychal Judge.
September 10
We attend the “Irish community Mass” jointly sponsored by the Consulate General of Ireland and Holy Trinity Church. Afterwards Brendan spoke with Bishop Michael Neary and at the reception Tom and Brendan challenged the Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Brian Cowen TD on the needs of Irish immigrants who are HIV+ and on the issue of legal recognition of same sex couples for immigration purposes. We distributed many Mychal Judge memorial prayer cards.
September 11
Brendan Fay and Jesús Lebrón travel to Fire island for a evening of remembering and healing. At the Grove Hotel gathering many recall Mychal’s visits to the island.
2003
Feb. 7-9
“Silence to Speech” documentaries are featured as part of the Irish Art Center’s first Winter Film Festival.
February 27
Press conference at City Hall. Lavender and Green along with ILGO, Pride At Work, political and community leaders and activists urge Mayor Bloomberg to invite Irish gay and lesbian political leaders such as Senator Thomas Duane, Assembly member Daniel O Donnell and Councilmember Christine Quinn to march as his guests in the 5th Ave St Patrick’s Parade.
March 2
A very wet but joyful 4th inclusive St Patrick’s Parade takes place in Queens. Many new groups participate for the first time including St John’s University and a number from the Mexican community. De Jimbe with their distinctive Afro Celtic sounds travels from Dublin for the third year.
March 3/4
Irish Arts Festival Washington screens a number of documentaries from “The Silence To Speech” series.
March 7
NY Times Public Profile.
March 13
The New York City Council Irish celebration ironically honors the Bronx parade organizers who yanked the welcome mat from Lavender and Green resulting in protests and arrests.
Op-ed piece in the Daily News
March 16
Brooklyn parade. Barbara Mohr, Stanley Rygor and Brendan Fay travel to Brooklyn and are ready to march with St. Augustine’s parish contingent. This inclusive gesture thanks to the efforts of Mychal McNichols and Fr. Bob Whelan. Parade organizers taking an instant allergy to the rainbow colored flag attached to the tri color and Erin Go Bragh
March 17
We join September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows for a St Patrick’s Day service of reflection. Mairead Corrigan Nobel Peace prizewinner is speaker. Barbara Mohr among many is arrested near the UN. While Barbara spends St Patrick’s day in jail Brendan joins the Rygor family at the NY public library and later meets up ILGO members as they finish their side walk protest.
March 18
Rygor family story in NY Newsday
March 22
Our annual celebration OICHE AERACH IX is held at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Apostles on 9th Ave. The Roger Casement / Eva Gore-Booth honorees for the evening are Barbara Ann Heffernan Mohr and New York State Senator Thomas K. Duane.
May 8
The sexuality and Religion series Union Theological Seminary screening and forum on life and legacy of Mychal Judge. Speakers include Dr. Mary Hunt (WATER), Michael Kelly (Rainbow Sash), Fr. Kevin Toterelli OFM, Sr. Maureen Fiedler.
May 13
The NY LGBT Center’s Second Tuesday lecture series hosts a special posthumous 70th birthday celebration in memory of Fr. Mychal Judge. Presenters include Michael Kelly from Rainbow Sash, Melbourne, Brendan Fay, Barbara Mohr and Jeff Stone of Dignity NY. There are tears and much laughter and a birthday cake… all an expression of the affection the gay community feels for Mychal.
May 24th
We join the Irish Arts Center fundraising cruise up the Hudson River.
May 25th
Brendan interviewed on Ireland’s Marion Finucan Show about the upcoming wedding.
May 26th
Brendan Fay and Tom Moulton marry at St Ann and the Holy Trinity Church in Brooklyn Heights. “Our grandchildren look back amazed at a time of discrimination …just as folks are amazed when I tell them that there was a time in the recent past when people of mixed races were not allowed to marry…” Rev. Barbara Crafton, homilist.
May 29
Lavender and Green joins the Irish community for a rally outside the British Consulate to restore democracy in Northern Ireland.
June 10
Laws change in Ontario, Canada extending civil marriage to same sex couples.
June
Brendan Fay and Tom Moulton are among the speakers at the Wedding Party’s pre pride march event. Later signs prepared by Jesús Lebrón draw applause and cheers along the parade route. On the CBS evening news, NBC and CNN Brendan and Tom discuss the impact of the Canadian decision to extend civil marriage to same sex couples.
July 2
Civil Marriage Trail 2003
Brendan Fay and Jesús Lebrón host a meeting in the LGBT community center for couples considering getting married in Canada. The “Civil Marriage Trail 2003” is inaugurated.
July 4
Brendan Fay takes the Greyhound bus from Montreal to Ottawa and becomes along with Tom Moulton the first New Yorkers and first Irish gay person to be granted a Canadian marriage license.
July 20
Community forum in the New York LGBT Center on marriage.
July 27
Lavender and Green leaders Brendan Fay and Tom Moulton are legally married in Toronto, Ontario by Justice Harvey Brownestone.
August
Dignity Convention 2003 in Las Vegas celebrates the life and legacy of Mychal Judge
September 6/ 7
A screening of “Remembering Robert” at the Sunnyside Film Festival.
Sept 11
Icon of Mychal Judge by Fr. Bill McNichols is displayed for the first time at St Francis of Assisi Church.
September 16
Lavender and Green is a co-sponsor of the community forum on THE CIVIL MARRIAGE TAIL PROJECT 2003.
October 2
Irish Television RTE screens a “Would You Believe” program entitled 'AN IRISH WEDDING' which tells the story of Brendan Fay and Tom Moulton’s May wedding.
See link: http://www.rte.ie/tv/wouldyoubelieve/2003-0210/thisweek.html
October 5
We join Dignity NY in a Solidarity Sunday distribution of card pledges against violence at St. Patrick’s cathedral.
November
Civil Marriage Trail Project 2004 announces plan for trip on National Freedom To Marry, February 12 -- 15, 2004. (Click here for website and to register to travel on this historic journey).