NGLTF protests Howard Dean's lies about the DNC Platform statement on
marriage
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force returned
a $5000 contribution from the Democratic National Committee in protest of Howard
Dean's repeatedly lying about what the Democratic Party 2004 platform says about
marriage.
The DNC 2004 platform says, "We
support full inclusion of gay and lesbian families in the life of our nation and
seek equal responsibilities, benefits, and protections for these families. In
our country, marriage has been defined at the state level for 200 years, and we
believe it should continue to be defined there. We repudiate President Bush's
divisive effort to politicize the Constitution by pursuing a 'Federal Marriage
Amendment.' Our goal is to bring Americans together, not drive them
apart."
In a Christian
Broadcasting News segment aired today on
The 700
Club concerning how Democrats
are reaching out to evangelicals, Howard Dean, chair of the Democratic National
Party, said, "The Democratic Party platform from 2004 says that marriage is
between a man and a woman. That's what it says. I think where we may take
exception with some religious leaders is that we believe in inclusion, that
everybody deserves to live with dignity and respect, and that equal rights under
the law are
important."
Matt
Foreman, Executive Director of NGLTF, said in response, "Governor Dean is wrong
about what the Democratic platform says about marriage equality. Disturbingly,
this is not the first time he has misrepresented this important and affirming
plank, and he has been asked before to correct the record and to cease making
these misleading
statements.
"Governor
Dean's record on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues since becoming
DNC chair has been sorely and sadly lacking. The Democratic Party chair should
stand by and fight for the party's own platform and values. In light of Governor
Dean's pandering and insulting interview today with the Christian Broadcasting
Network, we have decided to return the DNC's recent $5,000 contribution to us.
We do so with great sadness, knowing that the Democratic Party has long been a
champion of our rights. Once again, we urge the governor to accurately represent
the party's commitment to equality for LGBT people and our families, and to do
everything in his power as chair to realize this vision. This would include but
not be limited to fighting anti-gay ballot initiatives in various states this
November. We urge him to take the money we are returning today and spend it to
defeat these attacks on LGBT people and our families."
Posted: Thursday - May 11, 2006 at 12:15 AM