May, 03 2012, 02:43pm EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Angela Dallara
Communications Associate
angela@freedomtomarry.org
646-430-3925
State Democratic Party Chairs Support Freedom to Marry Plank in National Platform
Today 11 State Democratic Party chairs from across the country joined in support of a freedom to marry plank in the party's national platform. The chairs include John Burton (CA), Joan Wagnon (KS), John Walsh (MA), Ken Martin (MN), Jon Wisniewski (NJ), Jay Jacobs (NY), Meredith Wood Smith (OR), Boyd Richie (TX), Jake Perkinson (VT), Dwight Pelz (WA), and Mike Tate (WI).
WASHINGTON
Today 11 State Democratic Party chairs from across the country joined in support of a freedom to marry plank in the party's national platform. The chairs include John Burton (CA), Joan Wagnon (KS), John Walsh (MA), Ken Martin (MN), Jon Wisniewski (NJ), Jay Jacobs (NY), Meredith Wood Smith (OR), Boyd Richie (TX), Jake Perkinson (VT), Dwight Pelz (WA), and Mike Tate (WI).
"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 New York Democratic Party Chairman Jay Jacobs. "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."
"In Texas we love all our families," said Texas Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie. "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."
"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," said Evan Wolfson, founder and President of Freedom to Marry. "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 antigay constitutional amendment in Minnesota. 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."
These state party leaders join other prominent voices speaking up for Freedom to Marry's Democrats: Say I Do campaign for a freedom to marry platform plank, including, so far, 22 Democratic Senators; the Chair of this year's Democratic National Convention, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa; four former chairs of the national Democratic Party; more than half a dozen co-chairs of President Obama's reelection campaign; and nearly 40,000 Democrats who've added their names to Freedom to Marry's Democrats: Say I Do online petition.
Freedom to Marry is the gay and non-gay partnership working to win marriage equality nationwide. Headed by Evan Wolfson, one of America's leading civil rights advocates and lawyers, Freedom to Marry brings new resources and a renewed context of urgency and opportunity to this social justice movement.
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