LGBTQ groups will be allowed to march in Staten Island’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade for the first time ever this year, organizers announced Tuesday — ending a long-running controversy over the annual event’s anti-gay stance.

The Staten Island parade was long thought to be one of the only St. Patrick’s Day celebrations left in the world that still excluded LGBTQ+ people.

The Pride Center of Staten Island says it is excited to finally be a part of the "vibrant" Staten Island St. Patrick's Day Parade.

The parade committee, for the first time in 60 years, announced Tuesday it will allow LGBTQ+ groups to march in Staten Island's St. Patrick's Day Parade.

This will be the first time in the parade's 60-year history that LGBTQ+ groups will be allowed to march under their banner.

Organizers for the celebration have invited The Pride Center of Staten Island, which was repeatedly and directly banned from participating, to march in the 2025 celebration under their own banner.

The recent decision to finally allow LGBTQ+ groups to participate in the Staten Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade for the first time in the borough’s history has received high praise from one of the world’s foremost advocacy groups.

It took six decades, but the LGBTQ+ groups will now be able to march in Staten Islands Richmond County St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The decision follows years of opposition. FOX 5 NY’s Michelle Ross has the reactions to the decision.

One borough, one parade. After 60 years, one of Staten Island’s largest and most influential civic organizations is allowing gay and lesbian groups to march in the borough’s official St. Patrick’s Day Parade.