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Video: Bill O'Reilly Investigates The "Transvestite" Themes At Mermaid Parade
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jul 12, 2013
Modified Jul 12, 2013
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By
Ben Yakas
Published Jul 12, 2013
Modified Jul 12, 2013
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The Coney Island Mermaid Parade is by far one of our favorite NYC traditions, a jubilantly theatrical event famous for drawing thousands of eccentric personalities in wildly elaborate costumes to the historic boardwalk. So the idea of Bill O'Reilly—a man who doesn't have the greatest history when it comes to dealing with diversity and discrimination—sending one of his flacks to cover the parade didn't fill us with much confidence. Lo and behold, the segment depressingly lives up to our worst expectations, including lots of mockery and derisive comments about the participants. You can watch it below.
After the segment, O'Reilly asks why gay people need so many parades, and asks straight-faced: "Well was that the prevailing theme here? Crossing dressing, transvestite people?" One step forward, two steps back.
Tagged
bill o'reilly
coney island
gay
mermaid parade
mockery
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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