Protesters shout slogans during the St Patrick's Day parade on March 17, 2015. The group was protesting the exclusion of gay groups from the parade. (credit: Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images)





New York City’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is reportedly seeking a new TV home after its chairman has expressed resistance to allowing gay groups march in the event next year.

WNBC, which has broadcast the parade for several years, has insisted the parade include a gay marching group in 2016, the Irish Voice newspaper reported.

This year, for the first time, an openly gay group, OUT@NBCUniversal, was allowed to march under its own banner in the world’s largest St. Patrick’s parade. But speaking at a parade lunch in April, Chairman John Dunleavy said gay groups will “have a problem” securing a spot in next year’s march, the Irish Voice reported. Dunleavy has said the event is about faith, heritage and culture, and nothing more, WCBS 880’s Paul Murnane reported.