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.”
(Related: Obama,
Democratic Party not ready to endorse gay marriage.)