Is Brian Mahoney that stupid? In a column written in this week’s edition of South Boston Today (or as we like to call it South Boston 1974), Mahoney – the Allied War Veterans Council Commander – actually printed in black and white, that when Boston Pride applied to march in the 2015 St. Patrick’s Day parade, he had no clue that they were gay. Really? Who doesn’t know that Boston Pride -a group fighting for gay-rights for over 40 years- is a gay group? Mahoney that’s who. We have to admit, we were actually pleasantly surprised when we read on twitter that Boston Pride’s application was approved. We thought, “The Allied War Veterans are really gaying up the parade this year!” First OUTVETS -the LGBT veterans group – was approved and now the flood gates are open. We thought it was pretty progressive and were proud of them for ushering a new era of inclusion. But apparently, it was because the parade “commander” is ignorant which makes us question why someone as out of touch as Mahoney is organizing a parade that represents our neighborhood.
Anyway, instead of leaving well enough alone, Mahoney actually writes a column about how Boston Pride “snuck” into the St. Patrick’s Day Parade which for the past 22 years has excluded LGBT groups. Yes, excluded. Mahoney likes to tout that gays have always marched in the parade and have never been excluded. They just can’t march collectively with a sign that says they’re gay. Sort of the old “Don’t ask. Don’t tell” policy. OUTVETS were okay. Boston Pride was not okay because they never said in their application that they were gay. In his column, Mahoney writes, “It was innocently believed upon receiving it that they were an offshoot of ‘Boston Strong’ and so they were sent a letter of acceptance by the parade organizer.” So Mahoney, just assumed that Boston Pride was some spin off of Boston Strong? Why?
So when the local media starting calling Mahoney to get the scoop on the second gay group marching, Mahoney and his Allied War Veterans minions rushed back to their headquarters to review the Boston Pride application. There was no mention of Boston Pride being gay at all. Sort of like the Tea Party having to mention they are conservative on the application. (Maybe moving forward, the AWVC should have a box that you check, Gay or Heterosexual.) So after reviewing the application, Mahoney and company knew that if they didn’t let Boston Pride march they would be exposed for being the homophobes they apparently are and Mayor Marty Walsh, Senator Linda Dorcena Forry and many other politicians wouldn’t be able t to march because the parade was not an inclusive parade. They were stuck between a rock and hard place.
So now Mahoney is setting the table for next year’s parade and making up a trumped up technicality to exclude Boston Pride. “It was shocking and unauthorized, then, when they appeared at ‘G’ (Street) and Broadway carrying 10-12 multicolored umbrellas that I would describe as rainbow even though I have been told they ‘technically’ were not rainbows. Well, how’s this – umbrellas of any sort are not allowed. We can all play word games but again we’re running a celebratory event not a protest or social movement. In any event we review tapes of the parade for improvements and violations and will take action where appropriate,” said Mahoney.
Reviewing tapes? Well, then he’ll clearly see Congressman Steve Lynch carrying a green umbrella – as stated in a Boston Herald article – “I had an umbrella, too, myself. Mine was green,” Lynch joked. We would have to imagine lots of people marching were carrying umbrellas. It was raining! But maybe it’s not just umbrellas – but gay umbrellas that are upsetting Mahoney. Or maybe it’s the fact that a second gay group marched in 2015 and Mahoney was clueless to this fact that is sticking in his craw.
So here we are once again, the Allied War Veterans led by its “commander” Brian Mahoney are setting back Southie by 20 years. Talk about a giant step backwards.
On a side note, when Mahoney is reviewing the tapes, maybe he should take a look at the pirate wenches and their obscenely low-cut dresses with their ridiculously huge boobs spilling out for my adolescent boys to see. That’s more offensive than rainbow umbrellas. Keep it classy, Allied War Veterans.
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How dear you speak ill of the buxom pirate wenches. They're people too. If you cut them, do they not bleed? I for one support Buxom Pirate Wenches (BPW's) & their message of love.
Lol
"Gaying up the parade? Progressive is the only way to go? It's stories like this on this silly blog that has South Bostonians refering to you people as 'Caught in Cambridge'. You'd be a much better fit over there. Just sayin
Perhaps even more hypocritical than the observation of Congressman Lynch that the Allied War Veterans reaction to Gay Pride is "unfortunate," is his (unwitting ?) participation, and both covert and overt support of their denial of the participation of Veterans for Peace, and advocates for social justice. A bit more "painful" even than his comment with respect to Vice President Biden.
Mahoney…. How pathetic "snuck" up on the parade …go get yourself a life in the 20th century. As a born and raised Irish person you make us cringe. You are nothing and compared to what the irish stand for a hypocrite . Mayor of the parade lol a 2nd grader would do better.
Thanks for reading, Brian! Keep coming back for more! And your “newspaper” is a much better fit for Southie, say 40 years ago. Just sayin’! Here’s a tip – you might want to keep a copy of Strunk & White’s Element of Style next to your computer. Your grammar is atrocious!
One of Maureen Dahill's many shortcomings is her lack of tolerance. You see, typical of all 'progressive' thinking people is the misguided belief that their opinion and view is the only one allowed. All others are to be attacked and then banned. Fascism comes to mind. Poor little Maureen, she'd have the Southie parade turn into the Gay Pride parade. That view is her right to hold. Others have just as much right to their beliefs. But she needs to wake up to the fact that the last thing anyone cares about is getting the approval of Maureen Dahill before setting policy on any issue be it the parade, the time of day or what drink they prefer to serve to company. Irrelevant is as irrelevant does. By her ranting posts, it sounds like she's back climbed down off that wagon.
Isn't it true that Brian Mahoney was once a Boston Police patrolman and shot the Man from cable vision for simply being on the wooden telephone pole in his rear yard of his west 3rd Street Home. Does this sound like a man that can make a rational good decision
I say The only stupidity that Mahoney is guilty of is giving the gay marchers the attention they crave. I will never understand why your sexuality warrants a place in a parade. Who cares whom you have sex with, whether you are gay or heterosexual? Caught in Southie should stick to poop patrol.
anyone else have Rihanna's umbrella song in their head when they read about umbrellagate?
https://youtu.be/CvBfHwUxHIk
There's no way that comment was from Brian or John or anyone from SBT. The post had no grammatical or spelling mistakes, so it couldn't have been from them.
I'm Irish and proud of my heritage of writers, artists, poets, musicians and yes – progressives / rebels. I have have also lived in SB for 21 years, and this conversation is ridiculous. Imagine 2015 and the bigots hang on as tight as they can to their hatred and bigotry of all that is different. Snap out of it and grow up – my tolerance for your kind is what is getting old here.
I loved the Cycling Murrays- but they come across as anti tricycle to me.
At least Brian is not stupid enough to run for an election and split the Southie vote. Hey Maureen, did you have a reserved seat at the head table for the breakfast? I didn't see you on TV.
You may want to grab a dictionary and look up the word "tolerance". Also lay off the bath salts dude because you're making no sense.
Honest question: why is is ok for the enlightened, liberal left to bait, goad, antagonize, and ridicule ANYONE who disagrees with their collective points of view? Why resort to nasty, petty name-calling? Isn't that the very definition of hypocrasy?? I read Brian's piece; while he (correctly) states that he was hoodwinked by this group (sorry, but I also don't know or care one whit about this group; I'm amazed that certain among us wish to announce to paradegoers old and young alike what they like to do in the bedroom); why ridicule him for what they did? Lol, yes, of COURSE it was sneaky; are you kidding me? Can I announce my open heteroness in the Gay Pride Parade? But why the hell would I even want to; who cares? And THAT is the crux of this matter: believe it or not, the VAST majority just honestly Do. Not. Care who or what you do in the bedroom, so long as you're not harming anyone. Announcing sexual preferences at a St. Patty's Parade? Umm…why?? So stop with the nasty little name-calling, ok? It just makes you look silly. As for Brian, I don't know about any arrest record, but I DO know he served his country in Vietnam as a very young man. And THAT deserves your respect, not your ridicule, no matter how enlightened you may think you are.