UPDATE (10:15 a.m.):

 

The South Boston St. Patrick’s Day parade has a flagrant history of discriminating against the LGBTQ community, disallowing them from marching in the annual event, but times are changing. Albeit, they’re changing slowly. Lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people will now be allowed to participate in the Irish celebration as long as they adhere to a specific set of guidelines.

After Mayor Marty Walsh threatened to boycott the parade in protest of the exclusion of LGBTQ identifiers, The Allied War Veterans Council of South Boston has agreed to allow them to march as long as they refrain from wearing clothes or showcasing signs that refer to their sexual orientation, according to the Boston Globe.

Though the invitation may be construed as an olive branch by some, it’s unclear whether some advocacy groups will accept it. MassEquality, for example, issued a statement over the weekend saying that they have yet to receive an invite from parade organizers, though, they admit it’s an optimistic prospect.

“The fact that Parade organizers are willing to have a conversation with MassEquality is an important part of ongoing public dialogue about LGBT people and the Parade. But at this point, it’s still just a conversation,” said Kara Coredini, Executive Director, in a statement. “MassEquality has not accepted any invitation to march, and will only consider accepting an invitation that allows LGBT people to march openly.”

Other organizations, like the South Boston Association of Non-Profits, are taking the small victories in stride, agreeing to march on the basis that any conversation, regardless of how restrictive it may appear, is a good one.

“It may be that this year, it’s that we open the dialogue,” said Michael Dowling, head of the association, to the Boston Globe. “We all agree that it’s a conversation we need to be having.”

Mayor Walsh has staunchly supported equal rights for the LGBTQ community, campaigning for them last fall and putting his money where his mouth is by threatening Southie with a boycott. Though he marched in the parade as a state Representative, he’s now following in the footsteps of Mayor Tom Menino, who also refused to join in the parade due to its prejudiced practices.

Walsh has also worked to broker a fair compromise between the two opposing sides. On Saturday, he teamed up with Congressman Stephen Lynch to help foster better relations between organizers and protesters in what appears to have been an overall successful tęte-ŕ-tęte.

“Mayor Walsh and Congressman Stephen Lynch met today with parade organizers. It was a very positive meeting, and they remain optimistic that a solution can be reached that will work for all parties involved,” said the mayor’s press office in a statement.

Stay tuned to BostInno for the latest details regarding the St. Patrick’s Day parade and inclusion of LGBTQ community members.

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