Democratic Party platform makes history: Barney Frank announces marriage equality

"Democrats have a long and proud history of defending civil rights and expanding opportunity for all Americans. From the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act in 2009, Democrats have fought to end discrimination in all forms—including discrimination based on race, sex, ethnicity or national origin, language, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or disability.

"For too many though, this ideal is still far from a reality. That’s why in our fight to stand up for civil rights for all Americans, we are committed to protecting voting rights, enacting the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, ensuring civil unions and equal federal rights for LGBT couples and fully repealing the Defense of Marriage Act," Democrats.org reported.

Six states in America grant the freedom to marry for same-sex couples: Conneticut, Iowa, Mass. New Hampshire, New York and Vermont, as does Washington, D.C. The legislatures of Maryland, New Jersey and Washington have passed freedom to marry bills that will take effect if work to override the governors' vetoes can succeed. The Democratic Party acknowledges the freedom of same-sex couples to marry joining individual states in recognition of American’s civil rights.

The Democratic National Committee has taken the all important step to support marriage equality and make it integral to their party platform. Rep. Barney Frank of 4th Congressional District of Massachusetts is a member of the Democratic Party and considered the most prominent gay politician in the U.S has been given the honor of making the announcement. Frank, a congressman since 1981, has announced he will retire at the end of his term in 2013.

Friend --

I want you to be one of the first to know: After a unanimous decision on Sunday, the drafting committee for the Democratic National Convention embraced marriage equality as part of our platform for the 2012 Convention.

The next step will be for the full platform committee to vote on it, after which it will be presented to the delegates at the Convention in Charlotte for a final vote. Make no mistake: This is a historic step toward fairness for all. Once again, Democrats are fighting to move this country forward.

Please stand with Democrats today and support marriage equality for all Americans.

When President Obama became the first sitting president to support marriage equality, Democrats stood shoulder to shoulder with him. I still remember that day. I couldn't stop smiling.

Now, it's up to us to speak up for what he has called a simple proposition: that every single American deserves to be treated equally.

Add your name today and say you're with Democrats as we fight for the right of every American to marry the person they love.

Thank you for standing up,

Congressman Barney Frank

Social equality for same-sex marriage

Marriage laws allowing marriage equality have existed since 2001 in Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, South Africa, Sweden and some states in the Mexico and the United States. Legislative changes and court challenges of constitutional equality have been the basis for change.

Debates continue, however, on whether same-sex couples should be allowed to marry whether the controversies are political, social, or religious. Some religious organizations have endorsed and performed marriage ceremonies including Quakers, liberal branches of Judaism, Episcopalians, and Unitarian Universalists.

Some studies reveal that better-educated people are more likely to support legalization of same-sex marriage and young people are more accepting than older generations.

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Resources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barney_Frank

http://www.freedomtomarry.org/states/

http://www.democrats.org/news/blog/breaking_step_forward_for_marriage_equality