Christian activists yesterday promised to appeal the dismissal of their federal court claim that Philadelphia officials infringed on their freedom of speech when they blocked anti-homosexual protesters at a 2004 Center City gay festival….

Stengel said the gay-pride event had received proper city permits, and the evangelists had neglected to take alternative means to communicate their message, including applying for a permit to hold a counterprotest. He called the activists’ claims “simplistic.”

Stengel’s decision expands upon a 1995 Supreme Court decision that held that the Boston organizers of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade could exclude gay protesters from a private parade on public streets.