The state Democratic parties in Texas, Montana and Pennsylvania have joined the likes of President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and all other rational, open-minded people in showing their support for full marriage equality in 2012. Each of these three states currently have laws that do not legally recognize gay marriage, but the state Democratic parties will now lobby that same-sex marriages must be legally and formally recognized, reports Think Progress.
QSanAntonio reported that the Texas Democratic Party created a marriage equality plank in its party platform at their state convention last weekend, using language drafted by Erin Moore, outgoing Vice Chair of Texas Stonewall Democratic Caucus. The plank reads:
“Texas Democrats support the full inclusion of all families in the life of our state, with equal respect, responsibility, and protection under law, including the freedom to marry. Government has no business putting barriers in the path of people seeking to care for their family members, particularly in challenging economic times. We support the repeal of the Federal Defense of Marriage Act, the Texas Defense of Marriage Act and the Texas Constitutional Marriage Amendment and oppose other attempts to deny the freedom to marry to loving same sex couples.”
The Montana Democratic Party had an easy vote on Saturday, with all delegates voting unanimously to repeal Montana’s constitutional ban on gay marriages. In 2004, the constituents of Montana voted for a constitutional initiative to ban same-sex marriages. Instead of furthering legislation that advocates for same-sex civil unions, the Democrats introduced new language supporting a direct repeal of Section 7, Article 13 (the initiative banning same-sex marriages).
“We support repealing Section7, Article 13 of the Montana Constitution. All adults should have the right to legally marry another adult of their choice regardless of sex or gender. We believe same-sex spouses should have the same legal benefits, protections and responsibilities granted to all those who marry.”
Finally, Pennsylvania party members agreed to a resolution that will endorse same-sex marriage. The motion came from Roger Lung, an openly gay Democratic Chair from Adams County, who shared his own personal struggle: his marriage to his longtime partner, which took place in Washington D.C., is not recognized in Pennsylvania. It reads:
“Be it finally resolved that the Pennsylvania Democratic Party and its officers forward this resolution on to the official participants of the 2012 National Democratic Convention and urge them to endorse a freedom to marry plank in this year’s Party Platform when it is adopted this September during the National Democratic Convention in Charlotte, NC.”
These decisions come on the heels of 11 Democratic Party Chairs calling for the inclusion of marriage equality in the national party’s platform, and it’s pretty exciting that the plank seems to be garnering so much support. We’ll be keeping an eye on the rest of the country now; let’s see who voices their support next.
Photo: cafepress.com
