Four new state Democratic Party platforms endorse the freedom to marry

In the past week, the state Democratic Party organizations in Pennsylvania, Montana, Texas and Wisconsin have modified their official platforms to include a plank calling for the freedom to marry. The new additions mean that 20 state Democratic Party organizations - CA, CO, CT, IA, KS, MA, ME, MN, MT, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OR, PA, TX, VT, WI, WA, WY - now include a freedom to marry plank in their official platforms. Here is the language from each of the new resolutions.

Montana: In Montana, the state Democratic Party unanimously decided to call for the freedom to marry in the platform, overturning a previous call for civil unions. The new platform calls for overturning a state constitutional amendment that prohibits marriage for same-sex couples. The new language reads:

We support repealing Section 7, 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 couples should have the same legal benefits, protections and responsibilities granted to all those who marry.

Pennsylvania:  In Pennsylvania, the state Democratic Party adopted a resolution calling for the freedom to marry, which was co-sponsored by 18 other committee members. The resolution 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 participants include the Pennsylvania members of the Democratic National Committee, the elected and appointed Pennsylvania delegates to the National Democratic Convention, members of the Pennsylvania Congressional delegation who will be attending the National Democratic Convention, and the Pennsylvania members of the Democratic National Party Platform Committee.

Texas: Texas has also revised their language, calling for the repeal of a state statute barring marriage, the repeal of a state constitutional amendment prohibiting relationship recognition for same-sex couples, and the repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act. It 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.  

Wisconsin: After the LGBT caucus sponsored a similar platform plank in Wisconsin, calling for adoption of the resolution in several areas across the state, the resolution was adopted this weekend. It is the most simple of the resolutions, stating directly: "We support marriage equality for all couples."

These Democratic Party leaders are supporting a freedom to marry plank because they understand that the Democratic Party is committed to fighting for fairness for all families. By supporting marriage for all same-sex couples, these state party organizations are demonstrating valuable, geographically diverse support, advancing the cause further and building momentum for the freedom to marry nationwide.