The New York Times reports that Guinness USA has pulled its sponsorship of New York City’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in disapproval of the parade’s ban on the expression of gay pride. Guinness joins other major companies and city leaders, including Bill de Blasio, in its objection to the organization’s policy that gays can march in the parade, but cannot hold signs identifying or celebrating their sexual orientation.
A spokesman for the company made this statement: “We were hopeful that the policy of exclusion would be reversed for this year’s parade. As this has not come to pass, Guinness has withdrawn its participation. We will continue to work with community leaders to ensure that future parades have an inclusionary policy.” [The New York Times] [Image: Flickr/CGP Grey]