Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade Rescinds Invite to Gay Group

Negotiations to allow a gay-rights organization to take part in South Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade have broken down, with event organizers saying the advocacy group initially invited to march submitted a misleading application, The Boston Globe reports.

At the urging of new Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh, the Allied War Veterans Council had broken a longstanding gay ban and conditionally invited lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender group MassEquality to march in the March 16 parade, with the proviso that marchers not wear T-shirts or carry signs referring to sexual orientation, in accordance with the event’s code of conduct.

MassEquality applied through an affiliate called LGBT Veterans of Equality and said 20 gay veterans would join the parade. In a statement Monday, parade organizers said they could find no evidence the affiliate was “a recognized veterans organization” and called the application “a ploy by them to enter this parade under false pretenses.”

Kara Coredini, MassEquality’s executive director, did not return calls seeking comment. Mr. Walsh, who annually joined the parade while serving on the City Council, said he remained optimistic a deal could be reached but that he will “probably not be marching” if MassEquality is not included.