This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/31896300

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
St Patrick's Day: Gay groups in Boston parade St Patrick's Day: Gay groups march in Boston parade
(about 9 hours later)
Two gay and lesbian groups are due to take part in Sunday's St Patrick's Day parade in Boston for the first time. Gay and lesbian groups have officially joined a St Patrick's Day parade in the US city of Boston for the first time.
Until now, they have been banned by the organisers, who won support for their stance from the US Supreme Court. Until now, they had been banned by the organisers, who won support for their stance from the US Supreme Court.
But the organisers, the South Boston Allied War Veterans Council, had a change of heart and told Boston Pride and Outvets, representing gay military veterans, they were welcome.But the organisers, the South Boston Allied War Veterans Council, had a change of heart and told Boston Pride and Outvets, representing gay military veterans, they were welcome.
St Patrick's Day parades celebrate Irish and Irish-American culture.St Patrick's Day parades celebrate Irish and Irish-American culture.
The organisers petitioned the Supreme Court to uphold their ban on gay and lesbian groups and won in 1995. They had argued that such groups ran counter to Roman Catholic doctrine. "Finally in the city of Boston we're seeing the inclusivity we never thought we would see," said Outvets founder Bryan Bishop, "This is personally one of the greatest days of my life."
The court found that forcing organisers to accept the groups' participation would violate free speech rights. In 1995 the Supreme Court upheld a ban on gay and lesbian groups, citing free speech rights. The organisers had argued that it violated their Roman Catholic doctrine.
But the Veterans Council changed its position and its commander, Brian Mahoney, is quoted as saying "who am I to judge?" when asked about the issue of sexual orientation.But the Veterans Council changed its position and its commander, Brian Mahoney, is quoted as saying "who am I to judge?" when asked about the issue of sexual orientation.
Boston is the capital of Massachusetts, which became the first US state to allow gay marriage in 2004. The Boston mayor marched in the parade for the first time in 20 years. Previously mayors had boycotted the event due to its ant-gay stance but this year Mayor Marty Walsh joined marchers.
The Veterans Council voted in December to allow Outvets to take part.
President of Boston Pride Sylvain Bruni welcomed the change of heart in an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live.
"We do think this is a historical moment for our community in Boston because it really puts all of the past...tensions that have existed and...the difficulties that the LGBT community has faced - it puts all of that behind us and now we are...we're moving forward."
Boston's mayors have boycotted the event since 1995 in protest at the exclusion of gay and lesbian groups, but that will change on Sunday with the participation of Mayor Marty Walsh.
"With this year's parade, Boston is putting years of controversy behind us," he said."With this year's parade, Boston is putting years of controversy behind us," he said.
However, some groups still object to gay and lesbian organisations being represented. Boston is the capital of Massachusetts, which became the first US state to allow gay marriage in 2004.
An organisation of Catholic men, the Knights of Columbus, issued a statement on Friday saying it had pulled out of the parade.
It said the event had become "politicized and divisive", though it is not clear whether this is directly linked to the gay and lesbian issue.
This year's parade is shorter than normal as the recent record snowfall has made it difficult to clear some roads.