April 4, 2012
Former DNC Chairs Endorse Proposed Marriage Equality Platform Plank
Michael K. Lavers READ TIME: 1 MIN.
Four former chairs of the Democratic National Committee on Wednesday endorsed a proposal that would add marriage for same-sex couples to their party's 2012 platform.
"We are proud that the Democratic Party fights for working families, economic justice, and equal opportunity for all," said Howard Dean, Donald Fowler, Steve Grossman and David Wilhelm in a joint statement. "Times change, but our principles must always remain strong."
This announcement comes less than a month after Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who chairs the Democratic National Convention that will take place in Charlotte this summer, announced his support for the proposal. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-California) and 22 U.S. senators are among those who have also backed the proposal.
President Barack Obama has faced increased pressure from a growing number of LGBT activists to endorse marriage for same-sex couples, but he has yet to do so.
"I would be shocked to see it," said Houston Mayor Annise Parker during a gathering of LGBT bloggers and journalists in the Bayou City late last month, as EDGE previously reported. "I would not expect to see it."
Freedom to Marry President Evan Wolfson welcomed the former DNC chairs' statement.
"Fighting for families, freedom, and inclusion in the American Dream is the Democratic Party's DNA-its history, values, and vision for the country," he said. "That's why so many of the most influential Party leaders -- including, today four of the most recent Party chairs-support a freedom to marry plank in the Democratic Party platform."
Based in Washington, D.C., Michael K. Lavers has appeared in the New York Times, BBC, WNYC, Huffington Post, Village Voice, Advocate and other mainstream and LGBT media outlets. He is an unapologetic political junkie who thoroughly enjoys living inside the Beltway.
