Catholic League President Bill Donohue claimed he was forced to back out of his plan to participate in the New York City LGBT Pride parade because the event’s organizers wanted to force him into “gay training.”

“Today, I informed Heritage of Pride officials that I objected to their rule requiring me to attend gay training sessions, or what they call ‘information’ sessions,” Donohue was quoted as saying on Friday. “‘I don’t agree with your rule,’ I said. They responded by saying that attendance was ‘mandatory.'”

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As The New Civil Rights Movement reported, what Donohue is actually complaining about is a safety orientation meeting that is required for the heads of every organization taking part in the June 2 event.

Donohue’s apparent flip-flopping came one day after it was reported that he applied to participate in the parade, with the proviso that he be allowed to carry a banner bearing the slogan, “Straight is Great.”

But instead of rejecting him, parade organizers accepted Donahue’s request, saying, “His group’s presence affirms the need for this year’s Pride theme, ‘We Have Won When We’re One.’ Straight is great — as long as there’s no hate.”

However, Donohue complained to NewsMax TV that organizers wanted him to wear “LGBT paraphernalia” and said, “I don’t go to gay training sessions. I’m pretty much of an untrainable guy when it comes these things.”

Parade officials refuted his accusations, saying the meeting was mandatory for all participants — not just Donohue — and that he was given no instruction on what kind of shirts to wear.

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[Image via Current TV]