Florida's anti-DEI law claims an unlikely casualty: Delray Beach's St. Patrick's Day parade, along with Pride

Florida's anti-DEI law claims an unlikely casualty: Delray Beach's St. Patrick's Day parade, along with Pride.

Delray Beach will not host its long-running St. Patrick's Day Parade or its annual Pride Festival in 2027. The Palm Beach County city says a new state law on diversity, equity and inclusion leaves it no choice, WLRN and WFLX reported.

The law, Senate Bill 1134, takes effect Jan. 1. It bars municipalities from funding or promoting, "directly or indirectly," activities defined as DEI, meaning programs designed or carried out with reference to race, color, sex, ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation. Any resident can sue a city in circuit court for a violation. After reviewing the law, the city said it is legally prohibited from organizing, funding or promoting either event next year. "We remain committed to serving all residents," the city said in its announcement.

The law has exceptions. Cities can still recognize state and federal holidays and observances, and they can issue event permits on a content-neutral basis and provide public safety services. That means privately organized events are not banned outright. In 2025 the city produced or was affiliated with 21 annual events, including its Christmas tree and menorah lightings, CBS12 reported.

Mayor Tom Carney said residents pushed back quickly. "By Saturday I had a good 50 emails in my box saying, 'What are you doing?'" he told WFLX. He said the parade used to be private and can be again. Several backers have offered to underwrite it, and he is confident it will go ahead. Asked about Pride, he said, "If the private sector wants to support that, I would as well." CBS12 reported that no sponsor or organizer has yet committed to either event.

Rand Hoch, founder of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, told CBS12 that a private Pride organizer would have to cover costs the city usually pays, including security and cleanup. "It's a huge expense," he said. A local pub customer asked why an Irish parade counts as DEI at all.

The case shows how far a broadly worded state law can reach into ordinary civic life. A parade that celebrated Irish heritage for decades and an LGBTQ festival now sit in the same legal category. If private money comes through for one and not the other, the law will have decided which community celebrations survive.