After a year's absence, the traditional St. Patrick's Day parade will return to South Boston--but organizers have barred gay and lesbian groups from participating in the event, according to the parade sponsors.

"[The gay and lesbian groups] want to ram their radical agenda down our throats and disrupt a peaceful event," said John W. Hurley, spokesperson for the South Boston Allied War Veterans' Council (SBAWVC). The SBAWVC has sponsored the parade since 1947.

Previous federal court orders required that the parade's organizers include gay and lesbian groups. But by calling this year's event a protest march, organizers have circumvented the earlier court decision.

Expressing disagreement with the SBAWVC's stance, Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino has worked to discourage the city's 18,000 employees from participating in the parade in their official capacities.

"The mayor is for the inclusion of gays in the parade," said Dana Forman, a mayoral spokesperson. "He wants to bring unity to the city, not exclusion."

Although city employees have been asked not to march in the parade, police, fire and emergency technicians will still be asked to provide technical assistance, Forman said.

"The mayor does not want uniformed city officials participating," Forman said. "It's not an executive order, but it's the strong wish of the mayor."

Suffolk County Sheriff Robert C. Rufo has alsoasked county police officials not to take part inthe parade, according to news reports.

In 1992 and 1993, after obtaining a federalcourt order, members, of the Irish-American Gay,Lesbian and Bisexual Group of Boston (GLIB)marched in the parade.

But in 1994, rather than abide by the courtorder, the SBAWVC canceled the parade, disruptinga 92-year Boston tradition.

"It is a St. Patrick's Day parade, but there isan element of protest in it," said ChesterDarling, attorney for SBAWVC. "My clients areprotesting the forceinduced inclusion of messagesthat they do not want propagated."

'Their Radical Agenda'

Members of the veterans group have said theywould permit homosexuals to march in the parade,if not for the manner in which the groups would belikely to express their message.

James M. Kelly, president of the Boston CityCouncil and a South Boston resident, said theparade's purpose is to celebrate Irish heritageand culture, and not to further the goals ofgroups such as GLIB.

"This is a parade celebrating the history ofthe Irish contribution to this city," Kelly said.

"Sexual preferences and who people sleep withis their own private business--not something youcarry signs about." For the first time in decades,fire trucks and the color guard will not be partof the parade. Without them, the traditionalatmosphere of the parade will be diminished,according to Hurley.