Brian, do you have ANY idea of the history of the St Patrick's Day Parade?  Did you see when GLIB marched, and got hate shouted at them and things thrown at them?  Did you see the t-shirts that the parade organizers sold that said "Southie Pride -- 100 years without the queers"?  I did, firsthand.

Do the parade organizers have the legal right to exclude gays?  Apprently, so.  Does that make it morally right, ABSOLUTELY NOT.

I have to adk this basic question.  If the parade excluded blacks or Jews from marching, would Councillor Linehan march in it and defend them?

I think we know the answer to that!

A true leader would NEVER march in ANY parade that excluded people because of who they are.  That sends a horrible message.

Apparently, Councillor Linehan doesn't care about being seen marching in a parade that has for decades now actively excluded gay people because of who they are.

Shame on him.  He'll never get my vote.  Nor will anyone who marches in bigoted parages.

Kudos to Don Gorton and Bay Windows for keeping people aware of exactly what the St Patrick's Day parade in Boston is all about - bigotry.

Thank you for your comments Brian. I did indeed email Councilor Linehan, and received a reply a day or two ago. The Councilor feels that the Globe columnist took his remarks out of context and mischaracterized his views. To be clear, I offered three distinct criticisms of Councilor Linehan. The first and most serious was an implication that a gay Congressman and an African-American Governor would be treated with inhospitality in South Boston. The Councilor assured me that he was referring to the political gulf between many South Boston residents and the very liberal Rep. Frank and Gov. Patrick. He cited his own past support of Gov. Patrick. I believe that his comments, accurately reflected in the Globe, could be interpreted in an exclusionary and invidious way, but I believe him when he says such was not his intent.

I also criticize the Councilor for tacit support of Sen. Brown's reelection and his participation in a discriminatory parade. Sen. Brown opposes repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act and has, with one exception, voted against LGBT equality during all his years in public service. Certainly I cannot speak for all LGBT people, but I am sure that many if not most find his opposition to full federal equality for LGBT citizens indefensible. You are correct to note that the Allied War Veterans have the First Amendment right to exclude LGBT participants in their St. Patrick's Day parade on grounds of sexual orientation, but you are wrong if you suggest that I should not execrate such bigotry. While I respect the First Amendment rights of the Allied War Veterans, like I respect the rights of Nazis and the Ku Klux Klan under the constitution, I will fight homophobic discrimination with every fiber of my being for the rest of my life.

Don,

I am disappointed to see your open letter in today's Bay Windows.  Did you consider emailing Councilor Linehan directly?  Did you know that he personally responds to emails from constituents within 24-hours?

I don't intend to defend comments attributed to Mr. Linehan - I will allow him to do so should he chose.  I do, however, have concerns about your assertion that no South End resident nor GLBT people should support a Republican candidate.  I'm a gay, unenrolled, South Boston resident (formerly a Southe End resident for a decade).  To presume that I will always vote for a Democrat is absurd.  To presume that Councilor Linehan doesn't have the ability to support Senator Brown is also absurd.

The issue of the St. Patrick's Day Parade is not an issue of GLBT rights.  It is an issue of 1st amendment protection for a private group/entity.  I am perfectly okay with GLBT groups not able to march in the "official parade."  And, I'm perfectly fine with Mayor Menino not marching in the parade in order to demonstrate support to his GLBT constituents.  By the way, there is no difference in the ability for the organizers of the parade to not allow GLBT groups to march than there is with GLBT sports groups from limiting non-GLBT membership in their private organizations.  Some of these GLBT groups have strict limits (perfectly legal, by the way).

Don, I truly commend your activism.  However, I suggest that the views of GLBT individuals may not share the same views as you.  I caution you to not speak on behalf of our entire group.  I, for one, do NOT share your thoughts about the St. Patrick's Day parade, Councilor Linehan's dedication to his constituents, or your opinion of Senator Brown.

By the way, Councilor Linehan's email address is: Bill.Linehan <AT> cityofboston <DOT> gov.