Life’s a bitch, ain’t it?
As Staten Islanders marched proudly in the New York City borough’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade Saturday, Miss Staten Island was restricted to the sidelines, reports CBS New York.
Just hours after Madison L’Insalata came out publicly as bisexual, she said, organizers banned her from taking part.
“It’s really hurtful. Nobody likes to feel rejected from their community.”
Madison L’Insalata
Miss Staten Island
Jim Smith, the director of Miss Staten Island Scholarship Pageants, broke the news to L’Insalata late Saturday night. He said parade organizer Larry Cummings called him saying L’Insalata and another pageant queen who supported her were banned.
“I was stunned by the whole thing. I wasn’t prepared. He just said we’re worried about her safety, like he’s doing us a favor.”
Jim Smith
Director, Miss Staten Island Scholarship Pageants
“I am proud of Staten Island and I am proud of the title that I have because I know that myself and all the other girls involved do a lot of really great things for our community……….So it’s a shame that this really great community event, we ended up not being allowed to be a part of.”
Madison L’Insalata
Miss Staten Island
She showed up at the parade anyway, wearing her rainbow scarf and heart sticker, but was only able to watch.
Miss Staten Island comes out as bisexual, is banned from St. Patrick’s Day parade
Calamity Jane