Democrats expected to back gay marriage Weigh endorsement in Mass. party platform
Boston.com ^ | 5-4-05 | Raphael Lewis
 

Democrats expected to back gay marriage Weigh endorsement in Mass. party platform By Raphael Lewis, Globe Staff | May 4, 2005 The Massachusetts Democratic Party is poised next week to add an endorsement of gay marriage to its platform, despite a nationwide backlash against same-sex marriage that led voters to approve bans in 11 states last fall. ADVERTISEMENT Philip W. Johnston, the state Democratic Party chairman, said yesterday that the party's 3,000 delegates will consider the platform change May 14, three days before the first anniversary of legalized same-sex marriage in Massachusetts. State Democratic parties in Iowa and Colorado added endorsements of same-sex marriage to their platforms last year. ''I don't anticipate any serious debate about it," Johnston said of the party vote that will take place at Paul E. Tsongas Arena in Lowell. ''I think most delegates will support it. In this state, the more people get used to the idea, the more support there is." If approved by the party delegates, the new addition to the Democratic Party's platform will read: ''We affirm our commitment to the Massachusetts constitutional guarantee to same-sex marriage, and all of its rights, privileges, and obligations, and reject any attempt to weaken or revoke those rights
 

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