After a two-year hiatus, Irish pride flooded the streets of Sunnyside, Queens on Sunday.

“This parade has always been the most inclusive, and rain or shine we’re here," Queens resident Jim Burke said. "We’ve been here in the snow. Whatever it is, we’re here."

What You Need To Know

  • This year marks the 23rd annual St. Pat's For All Parade

  • The celebration was canceled the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic

  • St. Pat's For All has historically welcomed LGBTQ New Yorkers

Burke said he’s always been drawn to “St. Patrick’s For All," which was the first parade of its kind to represent the LGBTQ community.

“All of our friends from every single country in the world meet us today," Burke said. "And they’re gay, they’re straight, and they’re Muslim and they’re Catholic and they’re atheist, and we all today are Irish and celebrate that together.”

Togetherness was at the heart of Sunday’s event — something many revelers feel is lacking from another celebration of Irish culture, the Staten Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

“The discrimination against us still hasn’t gone away. That’s why St. Pats for All is still important," Jay W. Walker, the co-founder of Gays Against Gun, said.

The Richmond County St. Patrick’s Day Committee doesn’t allow groups to march behind their LGBTQ banners, something political leaders have repeatedly denounced. This year’s application reads: “This parade is not to be used for and will not allow political or sexual identification agendas to be promoted.”

“I still don’t understand in a place like New York City where we’re exposed to so many different types of people and lifestyles that there is still an issue for something as simple as marching in a parade," Rita Wade, longtime paradegoer said. 

On the parade route along Skillman Avenue, many revelers could be seen holding Irish and LGBTQ flags side-by-side.

“I love the diversity, I love the energy," Wayne Murphy, who's attended St. Pat's for All for the last decade, said. "Everyone is just so open and friendly and everybody brings something different to the table and it keeps it spicy ya know?”

Murphy said it’s more important than ever for Irish Americans to remember the adversity they too had to overcome.

“Irish people, when we first came to America, we were the underdogs, we were the ones left out, we were the immigrants," Murphy said. "And I think it’s important for Irish Americans to remember that lesson and to treat everyone else equally.”