Staten Island St. Pats parade organizers to weigh gay group participation

NEW YORK — Organizers of the St. Patrick’s Day parade on Staten Island have yet to decide whether gay groups will be allowed to march under their own banners.

The president of the local Hibernians, Marty Crimmins, tells the Staten Island Advance that the issue will likely be discussed at a meeting in October or November.

Organizers of the Manhattan parade said Wednesday they’re allowing the first gay contingent to march under its own banner next year. Cardinal Timothy Dolan says he’ll stay on as grand marshal.

Crimmins says he was a little surprised to learn about the Manhattan parade decision.

He feels it goes against church teachings and calls it a “hot-potato issue.”

But he adds: “Maybe it’s time now.”