NEW YORK CITY: Irish Drag Queen Panti Bliss To March In Gay-Inclusive Parade

Fantastic news. Irish drag performer and activist Rory O'Neil, whose anti-homophobia speech as Panti Bliss went globally viral, will march in the gay-inclusive St. Pat's For All Parade in Queens this Sunday. Via press release:

Mayor de Blasio, who has marched in the St. Pat's for All Parade for many years, will be joined by Members of Congress Caroline Maloney and Joseph Crowley; Speaker of the New York City Council Melissa Mark-Viverito; Public Advocate for the City of New York Letitia James; New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer; New York City Council Members Daniel Dromm, Costa Constantinides, and Jimmy Van Bramer and others. Consul General Noel Kilkenny will represent the Irish Government. This year's parade will feature an appearance by Irish gay activist Rory O'Neill, also known as Panti Bliss. Bliss recently caught the world's ear with an impassioned speech on homophobia, gay pride and hope, which she delivered in early February at the Abbey Theatre, the National Theatre of Ireland. Panti will reprise her peech--which has received over a half million hits on YouTube--at the St. Pat's for All Concert. This concert will be held at the Irish Arts Center on Friday, Feb 28th. The Irish Arts Center is located at 553 West 51st Street.

VIDEO: Here's that speech one more time.