Draft Of Democratic Party Platform Includes Plank On LGBT Rights

The draft also calls for increased access to PReP and rational gun control laws.
From: NewNowNext

 The Democratic National Convention released a working draft of its 2016 platform, which includes a plank specifically addressing LGBT issues.

 Democrats applaud last year’s decision by the Supreme Court that recognized LGBT people — like every other American — have the right to marry the person they love. But there is still much work to be done.

LGBT kids continue to be bullied at school, a restaurant can refuse to serve a transgender person, and a same-sex couple is at risk of being evicted from their home. That is unacceptable and must change.

Democrats will fight for comprehensive federal nondiscrimination protections for all LGBT Americans and push back against state efforts to discriminate against LGBT individuals.

We will combat LGBT youth homelessness and improve school climates, and we will protect transgender individuals from violence. We will promote LGBT human rights and ensure America’s foreign policy is inclusive of LGBT people around the world.

In fact, the word “LGBT” is used 11 times in the 35-page document—more than twice the number it appeared in the 2012 platform.

Another plank addresses HIV/AIDS, calling for increased research funding for the National Institutes of Health, a cap on pharmaceutical expenses, a review of HIV criminalization laws, and expanded access to PrEP.

Other portions addressed issues of concern for the LGBT community, including immigration, reproductive health and gun violence.

“We can respect the rights of responsible gun owners while keeping our communities safe,” it reads. “We will expand background checks and close dangerous loopholes in our current laws, hold irresponsible dealers and manufacturers accountable, keep weapons of war—such as assault weapons—off our streets, and ensure guns do not fall into the hands of terrorists, domestic abusers, other violent criminals, and those with severe mental health issues.”

The draft also calls for a $15 national minimum wage, the eradication of the death penalty and the legalization of marijuana on the state level.

It heads to the 187-member platform committee for approval on July 8 and 9 before being ratified at the convention in Philadelphia July 25 to 28.

Read the full draft platform on the DNC website.