WASHINGTON – Eleven state Democratic Party chairs from across the country have joined in support of a marriage equality plank in the party’s national platform.
The chairs include John Burton of California, Joan Wagnon of Kansas, John Walsh of Massachusetts, Ken Martin of Minnesota, Jon Wisniewski of New Jersey, Jay Jacobs of New York, Meredith Wood Smith of Oregon, Boyd Richie of Texas, Jake Perkinson of Vermont, Dwight Pelz of Washington and Mike Tate of Wisconsin.
“Nearly a year ago, New Yorkers stood united in supporting full marriage equality for all loving and committed families, and Democrats led the way,” said Jay Jacobs, New York Democratic Party chairman Jay.
“We now see first-hand how marriage improves the lives of gay couples and their families, and strengthens businesses and communities throughout the Empire State. Marriage equality is simply the right thing to do, and that’s why I strongly believe that the Democratic Party should stand united for a freedom to marry plank in our national Democratic Party platform,” Jacobs said.
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“In Texas we love all our families,” said Boyd Richie, Texas Democratic Party chairman. “We know to build a strong Democratic party and a strong Texas we must honor the core principles of our party and champion the full human rights of every citizen.”
Evan Wolfson, founder and president of Freedom to Marry, echoed those thoughts.
“Today still more Democratic Party leaders are joining in Freedom to Marry’s call for a freedom to marry plank in the Party Platform, because they know that at its best the Democratic Party fights for freedom, fairness, and families,” Wolfson said.
“These state chairs represent diverse states and a diverse range of constituents, including the biggest states in America from coast to coast, critical swing state voters in Wisconsin, and voters combating a cruel proposed anti-gay constitutional amendment in Minnesota,” he said.
“But whether from red, blue, or purple states, these party leaders know that including the freedom to marry in the 2012 national Democratic platform is not just the right thing to do, it’s the right thing politically,” Wolfson added.
