The Boston Beer Company, which owns the Samuel Adams Brewery at 30 Germania St. in JP, pulled out of the controversial South Boston St. Patrick’s Day parade after sponsoring the event for several years.
U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch, who represents part of JP, also decided not to march in the parade.
The parade is controversial because it bans openly gay and lesbian marchers from participating. Mayor Martin Walsh attempted negotiations between those potential marchers and parade organizers to bridge the divide, but that effort ultimately proved futile.
The Boston Beer Company said in a released statement on March 14, two days before the parade, that the company had been “hopeful” that an agreement might have been reached through negotiations.
“We share the sentiments with Mayor Walsh, Congressman Lynch and others and therefore we will not participate in this year’s parade,” the statement said. “We will continue to support state Sen. Linda Dorcena Forry and her St. Patrick’s Day breakfast. We wish her all the best in her historic stewardship of this tradition.”
Dorcena Forry, a black woman, broke the long series of white Irish men that have hosted the annual breakfast, which is held in South Boston and has been going on for more than 50 years.
Boston Beer Company said it previously supported the parade because of “the rich history of the event and to support veterans who have done so much for this country.” A veterans group organizes the parade.