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Four Former DNC Chairs Support Adding Gay Marriage To Party Platform

By Carlos Santoscoy
Published: April 05, 2012

Four former chairs of the Democratic National Committee on Wednesday endorsed adding gay marriage to the 2012 Democratic platform.

Howard Dean, Donald Fowler, Steve Grossman and David Wilhelm said in a joint statement that marriage equality represents the principles of the Democratic Party.

“We are proud that the Democratic Party fights for working families, economic justice, and equal opportunity for all. 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 served as DNC chair from 2005 to 2009; Grossman from 1997 to 1999; Fowler from 1995 to 1997; and Wilhelm from 1993 to 1994. Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, who currently serves in the position, has not spoken out on the issue.

Last month, Freedom to Marry launched its Democrats: Say I Do campaign with the goal of adding marriage equality to the Democratic platform.

“Fighting for families, freedom, and inclusion in the American Dream is the Democratic Party's DNA – its history, values, and vision for the country,” Evan Wolfson, president and founder of Freedom to Marry, said in a statement. “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.”