Gay Marriage ‘Plank’ To Be A Big Part Of Democratic National Committee Platform

The upcoming Democratic National Committee will embrace gay marriage in a big way, it has been confirmed, after years of a wishy-washy stance on marriage equality.

The move follows President Obama’s historic “coming out” on the matter a few months back, after Vice President Joe Biden “got over his skis” and endorsed freedom to marry for all — forcing the Commander-in-Chief to reluctantly admit that yes, he too believes that all Americans should have the right to legally marry their partner of choice, regardless of whether they are gay or straight.

Back in February, even before Biden’s comment prompted the President’s endorsement of legalizing gay marriage, a sample “plank” for the upcoming Democratic National Convention in August circulated, Politico explains:

“We support the full inclusion of all families in the life of our nation, with equal respect, responsibilities, and protections under the 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 Respect for Marriage Act and the overturning of the federal so-called Defense of Marriage Act, and oppose discriminatory constitutional amendments and other attempts to deny the freedom to marry to loving and committed same-sex couples.”

Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) confirmed the DNC gay marriage plank to the Washington Blade, saying that he was a part of the decision, but that it was one that was widely approved:

“I was part of a unanimous decision to include it,” Frank said. “There was a unanimous decision in the drafting committee to include it in the platform, which I supported, but everybody was for it.”

Marc Solomon is the director of the Freedom to Marry campaign, and Solomon commented:

“We are grateful for the Platform Drafting Committee’s unanimous vote to include the freedom to marry in its draft of the Democratic Party platform… As I testified to the Committee on Friday, the Democratic Party has a noble history of fighting for the human and civil rights of all Americans. We are proud that the Committee is including language that will ensure the Party is leading the way forward in supporting marriage for loving and committed same-sex couples and their families.”

The DNC has yet to comment on the inclusion of the gay marriage plank.