Four Former DNC Chairs Endorse Marriage Equality In Democratic Platform

WASHINGTON -- Four former chairs of the Democratic National Committee called on the party on Wednesday to embrace marriage equality in the 2012 Democratic 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. That is why, as former chairs of the Democratic National Committee, we stand with Freedom to Marry, 22 Democratic senators, Leader Nancy Pelosi, and more than 35,000 Americans in urging the Party to include a freedom to marry plank in the platform that is ratified at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte this September."

Dean, the former governor of Vermont, served as DNC chair from 2005 to 2009. Massachusetts Treasurer Steve Grossman led the organization from 1997 to 1999. Fowler was South Carolina state party executive director and CEO of the DNC convention in Atlanta in 1988 and was DNC chair from 1995 to 1997. Wilhelm ran the day-to-day operations of the 1992 Clinton-Gore presidential campaign and was DNC chair from 1993 to 1994.

The current DNC chair, Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D-Fla.), has not yet said she supports adding same-sex marriage to the platform.

The pro-LGBT rights group Freedom to Marry has led the charge on this issue, launching a campaign called "Democrats: Say I Do."

"Fighting for families, freedom, and inclusion in the American Dream is the Democratic Party's DNA -- its history, values, and vision for the country. 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," said Freedom to Marry President and Founder Evan Wolfson.

If a plank is adopted, it would be the first time the party's platform has embraced marriage equality. The Democratic platform will be ratified at the national convention, which begins Sept. 3 in Charlotte, N.C.

The 2008 platform did not explicitly support same-sex marriage, though it stated, "We oppose the Defense of Marriage Act and all attempts to use this issue to divide us."

In 2004, the platform condemned Republican attempts to pass a constitutional amendment barring same-sex marriage, but it also said the decision should be left to the states: "In our country, marriage has been defined at the state level for 200 years, and we believe it should continue to be defined there. We repudiate President Bush's divisive effort to politicize the Constitution by pursuing a 'Federal Marriage Amendment.' Our goal is to bring Americans together, not drive them apart."

In endorsing marriage equality's inclusion in the platform, the four former DNC chairs join almost half of all Democratic senators, several of President Barack Obama's national campaign co-chairs, the House Minority Leader and the chairman of the Democratic convention, among others. Obama says he is still publicly "evolving" on marriage equality.

A previous version of this article misattributed a statement to the former DNC chairs. It has been updated with the correct statement.

Also on HuffPost:

Comments

[GlennInVenice]

09:49 PM on 05/07/2012

My thanks go to Howard Dean, Donald Fowler, Steve Grossman and David Wilhelm.
As an American in a long term relationship that is not recognized under law in the way that the relationships of my neighbors are, it is nice to hear a statement of support for my civil rights.
I also want to thank the vice-president for his support.
Obama? He is still evolving it seems. How terribly disappointing.

[JulieByrd]

11:47 PM on 04/05/2012

It would be much better if all these people had kept their own marriage vows. Nasty hypocrites.

[MarkInEugene]

11:09 PM on 04/05/2012

Thank you Howard Dean!

[Jerry Callaio]

09:49 PM on 04/04/2012

It's about time......there are more gay voters and our friends than either Political Party can imagine!

[paroxario]

08:24 PM on 04/04/2012

It's about time that the GLBTQ community is given equal rights and recognized as an integral part of this nation!

[Contact1972]

01:10 AM on 04/05/2012

It was about time a while ago.

[LeeLoPink]

08:11 PM on 04/04/2012

Hmmm, has Ho-Ho evolved? He wasn't so vocal about promoting gay marriage while he was Gov.

Gotta love Howard!

[TSRVT]

07:56 PM on 04/04/2012

While we have a great governor now in Peter Shumlin, part of me wishes ol' Howard was still in Montpelier.

[demlover1]

07:44 PM on 04/04/2012

Good for Dean and the others. It's clear most Democrats including Pres. Obama I believe secretly or openly support marriage equality, so they should just come out and say it already. I don't think there would be huge political fallout and there could even be some benefit for standing on principle for once. People like people who say what they really believe and stand up for their moral principles.

[daltexdude]

09:37 PM on 04/04/2012

That is a leap about Obama. From Rick Warren to proclaiming that marriage is a state's rights issue, I am not so sure that he is our fierce advocate. Okay, I am pretty sure that he is not our fierce advocate. How about our fierce politician?

[Paulo1]

07:27 PM on 04/04/2012

As always Howard Dean acts as the Progressive Leader.

Pity that we won't get this measure into the platform. Obama will continue to "evolve" till he is re-elected and has nothing to lose and his little minions will make sure that the platform is in keeping with his cowardice.

[daltexdude]

09:38 PM on 04/04/2012

so true!

[RJofDC]

10:32 AM on 04/05/2012

Agreed. Obama = Chris Christie. Same nonsense, different party.

[freddsky]

07:20 PM on 04/04/2012

Good for you, Governor Dean, just as long as you do it **serenely**.
If using ASL keep your movements minimal and avoid looking overly stressed or hurried.
If tweeting, DON'T USE ALL CAPS!

[kaykaythere]

07:16 PM on 04/04/2012

I am of two minds about this, as many LGBT I imagine are. If this goes on the agenda, this and only this will be the major topics discussed in the months running up to the election. I saw some of the disgusting advertising that took place in California when prop 8 was up, and have seen some of the most horrid comments from people on these posts.

This one issue could wipe out any gains we would stand to make should it not be on the platform

Dems and all those for equal treatment for ALL cannot introduce and pass these vital measures if they aren't voted into office. And that starts at the TOP. Any reason to have the Obama naysayers go after him full bore on this issue alone is frightening.

[FearlessFreep]

12:18 AM on 04/05/2012

"If this goes on the agenda, this and only this will be the major topic discussed in the months running up to the election." I think you're overestimating it.

[daring eagles]

07:01 PM on 04/04/2012

Good for Howard Dean to speak out. He has guts and intelligence. If the Democrats had any brains - he should have been their 2004 nominee instead of John Kerry. Kerry had a good
war record and wimped out and couldn't aggressively fight the Republican Pit Bulls. If Dean was
President in 2004 - he would have easily had two terms. He is a true leader.

[exmate]

07:24 PM on 04/04/2012

I found an old Dean for America and put it on my 2009 vehicle's bumper because:
1. Dean was suceessful on Wall Street before he went to med school.
2. Dean understands health care politics.
3. Dean was clearly against the Iraq invasion over a year before it wash fashionable
4. Dean was brilliant as DNC Chairman.

[fbrillo]

07:42 PM on 04/04/2012

I really wish the Pres would grow a set and come out for this...

[Peter Mrozik]

06:41 PM on 04/04/2012

Democrats finally taking a stand on principle. Priceless.

[Shawn Fraine]

06:34 PM on 04/04/2012

I've said it before but...

They should just go for it. B!g0ts are in the minority on this issue now and every other LGBT issue has big majorities (repeal of DADT even had over 60% of Christian support). It is only a matter of time, it is such a non-issue with my cohort as it is and once the older ones start retiring, there will no longer be anyone standing in the way. (I live in the T of Pennsylvania too, if anyone gets that political reference)

Obama is just waiting until after the election and I can't blame him for that, It's not the easiest thing to do right now. Though, I would love for him to come out in support of marriage and show some bravery. Either way, I still think he'll be the first President to support it while still in office.

[FearlessFreep]

12:22 AM on 04/05/2012

"It's not the easiest thing to do right now." Is leadership about waiting till something is easy to do?

Frankly, the people who'll vote against Obama if he comes out in support of same-sex marriage are largely going to vote against him anyway.

[evanwolfson]

06:27 PM on 04/04/2012

Please add your name to these Democratic Party leaders in support of a freedom to marry plank in the platform: http://www.freedomtomarry.org/page/s/democrats-say-i-do

[daltexdude]

11:23 PM on 04/04/2012

Now if you could only get the President of the United States to sign (sigh, followed by resolve to not vote for Obama again).