The Democratic Party has drafted language to define its priorities, including the endorsement of same-sex marriage and other pro-LGBT positions as part of the party’s language according to reports at the Washington Blade.
The initial drafting process included a 15-member, unanimously passed inclusion of a marriage equality plank according to gay committee member Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass) who spoke to the Washington Blade Monday.
“I was part of a unanimous decision to include it,” Frank told the Blade. “There was a unanimous decision in the drafting committee to include it in the platform, which I supported, but everybody was for it.”
The Blade further reported:
Frank emphasized that support for marriage equality is a position that has been established for the Democratic Party, from the president, who endorsed marriage equality in May, to House Democratic lawmakers who voted to reject an amendment reaffirming the Defense of Marriage Act earlier this month.
A Democratic National Committee staffer, who is familiar with the process and spoke on condition of anonymity, said the language in the platform approved on Sunday not only backs marriage equality, but also rejects DOMA and has positive language with regard to the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. The exact wording of the language wasn’t immediately available.
According to reports, the Democratic Party platform remains in its draft phase with a final completion date set for next month.
“The DNC LGBT caucus, which I’m proud to be a member of, has been working closely with DNC staff and Obama campaign staff for the past few months to make sure this would happen. Once the president announced his support for marriage equality it was then just a matter of the drafting committee meeting and putting pen to paper. The President, as our party’s leader, is who made this a realitym” added Jess Durfee, Chairman of the San Diego County Democratic Party, DNC Committeeman.
