According to a story in today's (3/3/92) New York Times,
the Irish Lesbian & Gay Organization (ILGO) in New York
City has filed suit in a Federal court to compel the
organizers of the St. Patrick's Day Parade to allow it
to march.

In response, a lawyer for the Ancient Order of Hibernians,
the parade sponsors, said, "It's an attempt to destroy the
parade.  There is sentiment on our side just to turn the
permit back in.  Maybe New York City is not the place for
a St. Patrick's Day Parade anymore."

The Hibernians, a Catholic fraternal organization, contend
that because the parade is a privately sponsored event,
they have a right to exclude whomever they please.  At
various times thay have argued that the gay group, like
others who have not been allowed into the parade, is on a
waiting list; that the group is excluded because the
parade is a Catholic celebration and in the teachings of
the church, homosexuality is impermissible; and that the
gay marchers are unwelcome because of "outrageous behavior"
by some homosexuals during last year's parade.

The ILGO has argued that all of these are obfuscations, and
that the real reason for the group's exclusion is
homophobia.  The suit filed on Monday claims that members'
civil rights have been violated and asks the court to
revoke the parade permit if the Hibernians persist in
keeping them out.

The ILGO, founded in New York in April 1990, is a loosely
bound group of some 150 members of varying ages and
occupations.  Chapters of the group have recently arisen in
Boston and San Francisco.  "Our main focus in life is not
to march in the parade," said Paul O'Dwyer, a member,
"though it may seem that way from the last few weeks."
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