BOSTON -- The Boston Beer Company has dropped its sponsorship of the South Boston Saint Patrick's Day Parade due to the ongoing controversy over the exclusion of gay and lesbian parade marchers.

The company released a statement, which was posted on the website of the gay rights group Mass Equality:



Multiple calls for comment to parade organizers were not returned.

"It's so important to us that such a strong hometown brand made such a statement for the inclusion of LGBT people," said Kara Coredini, executive director of Mass Equality.

Parade organizers have not spoke face-to-face since a March 2 meeting at City Hall.

The parade steps off outside Broadway Station in South Boston's Lower End on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Several elected officials have decided not to march in the parade due to the exclusion of gays and lesbian groups from the parade.