Just one day after a Catholic school announced it would not march in the same St. Patrick’s Day Parade as LGBT veterans, the vets group has been kicked out. Boston’s official St. Patrick’s Day parade organizers, the Allied War Veterans Council, issued a statement accusing the LGBT Veterans for Equality, (affiliated with the Massachusetts LGBT Civil rights group MassEquality), of not being “a recognized Veterans Organization,” and not having enough members.
The Allied War Veterans Council also said in a statement that “it is our intention to keep this an Irish Celebration, dedicated to our Men and Women serving in our Armed Forces. We will fight to keep our parade and its traditions.”
Therefore, we The Allied War Veterans of South Boston fell [sic] we were misled by LGBT Veterans for Equality. It is our belief that the application submitted to us by LGBT Veterans for Equality was a ploy by them to enter this parade under false pretenses and is hereby denied.
It is our intention to keep this parade a family friendly event. We will not allow any group to damage the Integrity [sic] of the historic event or our reputation as a safe and fun filled day for all. We strive to hold the largest and most entertaining St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the Country.
God Bless our Troops and God Bless this Country!
[Bolding ours]
Immediately, Brother Thomas Dalton, principal of the Immaculate Heart of Mary School, said his students would be allowed to march, since the gay veterans would not be. Dalton had labeled the gay vets — or, at least their “homosexual acts” — as “intrinsically disordered.”
“We’re back in,†Brother Dalton told the Boston Herald.
“The students applauded when they heard the victory,†he added. “The students are delighted to be back in the parade. The Allied War Veterans ought to be commended for their stand. We thank them. They have kept the faith.â€
Just how many of those Immaculate Heart of Mary School are LGBT, one wonders…
In 1994, the Allied War Veterans Council canceled the parade rather than let gay people march.