Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh expressed on Wednesday that wants gays and lesbians to be included in the city's St. Patrick's Day parade, the Boston Globe reported.
Though Walsh participated in the parade last year as a state representative, he suggested he would boycott the event as mayor if all types of people are not welcome.
"Equality comes first," Walsh said. "The fact that it's 2014, I certainly hope we're able to come to an understanding. It's long overdue."
He added that MassEquality sponsored a gay veterans group to submit an application to walk in the parade.
According to the Globe, the gay community in Boston was an instrumental part in his election. However, some residents told the paper that they aren't supportive of his parade agenda.
"No, definitely not," said John "Wacko'' Hurley, who won a unanimous 1995 Supreme Court victory sanctioning his right to exclude gay and lesbian groups. "Not when you have a 9-to-nothing decision in the Supreme Court of the United States. [Walsh is] not in a position to overturn that."
Hurley and another parade organizer, Philip J. Wuschke, met with Walsh in his City Hall office to discuss the issue. They also brought up the gruesome battles in Northern Ireland between Protestants and Catholics.
"We had a nice conversation," Walsh said. "We had a little Irish history lesson."
Although Wuschke confirmed their talk with the mayor, he said no changes will take place.
"We're not bigots," Wuschke said. "It is inclusive. It's a day of celebrating. It's celebrating the Irish and the military."
Still, Walsh told the Globe he won't be backing down.
"If I march in that parade, I will be very happy," Walsh said. "If I'm not marching in that parade, it will be unfortunate and it will be because of a couple of people who would not accept this application."
