Bill de Blasio, ending boycott, to join 2016 St. Pat’s parade

Mayor Bill de Blasio has agreed to join this year’s New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade, ending his boycott because organizers have, for the first time, agreed to allow marchers behind the banner of an Irish gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender group.

De Blasio’s chief spokeswoman, Karen Hinton, confirmed Wednesday that he plans to participate. Hundreds will march under the banner of the Lavender and Green Alliance.

The nation’s largest St. Patrick’s Day parade had long resisted permitting LGBT groups to participate in the annual March 17 march up Fifth Avenue. The alliance worked for 25 years to reverse the ban.

During the first two years of his mayoralty, de Blasio participated in more inclusive but smaller parades in the outer boroughs.

He skipped last year’s parade because only a small group of marchers were allowed to participate under a gay and lesbian banner from OUT@NBCUniversal.

By Matthew Chayes

matthew.chayes@newsday.comchayesmatthew

Matthew Chayes, a Newsday reporter since 2007, covers New York City.