Why We Are Voting For Felix G. Arroyo and Ayanna Pressley for Boston City Council At-Large

By Robbie Samuels and Gunner Scott

Ayanna Pressley and Felix Arroyo

Felix G. Arroyo has been a long-time LGBTQ ally. In 2002, he was an early supporter of the successful bill adding gender identity and expression to Boston's non-discrimination law. As a first-term Boston City Councilor At-Large he used his position to highlight discrimination by the organizers' of South Boston's St. Patrick Day Parade, saying, "As an At-Large City Councilor, I represent all of Boston and all of Boston’s residents. I take that responsibility very seriously. An entire community that I represent is excluded from marching in the parade. While the Supreme Court said it is legally permissible to exclude LGBTQ groups, I cannot in good conscience march in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade until everyone else can." To clearly show his support, Felix hosts an LGBT event when the parade is taking place.