While last week’s Republican National Convention featured Clint Eastwood talking to an empty chair, the Democratic National Convention may be worth DVR-ing.
For the first time in our nation’s history, a major party will publicly endorse same-sex marriage on its platform.
The inclusion of this issue has climbed the platform-decision hierarchy unanimously in drafting committees and decision-making conventions over the last month. It will unveil its not-so-secretive support to the national public on Tuesday in Charlotte, N.C. Delegates to the convention are also expected to support overturning the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which has been deemed unconstitutional in several federal courts.
The stark contrast between the two parties on this issue has never before been seen. In 1994, GOP nominee Mitt Romney stated his gay-friendly credentials while running for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts, “I am more convinced than ever before that as we seek to establish full equality for America’s gay and lesbian citizens, I will provide more effective leadership than my opponent,” while President Obama was still “evolving” as late as last year. Since then, the two sides have streaked to the opposite ends of the spectrum, creating a black-and-white decision when it comes to gay rights and equality.
The fact that marriage equality is on a major party platform’s to-do list just shows how far we’ve come since the last election, and gives me hope that equality is within grasps of our society, regardless of the outcome of this upcoming election.
Photo: dailykos.com
