Controversy engulfed the South Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade this week when organizers said they would not allow a gay veterans group to take part.
On Friday, that decision was reversed, and now OutVets, the LGBTQ veterans organization, can walk in the March 19 parade, and can hold their rainbow flag.
OutVets announced the reversal on its Facebook page, saying it had received a letter from the Allied War Veterans Council, which runs the parade. OutVets said it is reviewing the letter.
The Veterans Council also took to Twitter to announce that it had extended a letter of acceptance to OutVets, inviting the organization to march.
Earlier this week, the council voted 9 to 4 to deny OutVets’ participation. Organizers cited that OutVets’ logo, which features a rainbow flag,was in violation of the council’s code of conduct.
But the issue quickly gained momentum with elected officials and sponsors denouncing the move, and saying they would not take part.
Acceptance letter signed by Parade Organizer to allow @OUTVETS to march in 2017 parade.
— St. Patrick’s Parade (@ParadeBoston) March 10, 2017
Requests for comment from a lawyer representing OutVets and a member of the Allied War Veterans Council were not immediately returned.
