Response by DNC Chairman Howard Dean on Massachusetts Marriage Vote

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean today issued the following statement on the overwhelming vote in the Massachusetts legislature to defeat a discriminatory, anti-marriage constitutional amendment:

“Today’s vote is an important milestone in the march toward equal rights and protections under the law for every American. By a three-to-one margin, Bay State legislators stood up and sent a clear message that there is no place in their constitution for the brand of divisiveness and discrimination that would have been enshrined in this proposed amendment. I applaud Governor Deval Patrick and the Democratic leadership in the State House for their strong, principled leadership.

“Because Democrats value all families, we are committed to promoting a vision of America in which every one of our fellow citizens can live in respect and dignity, with equality under the law. Governor Patrick and his fellow Bay State Democrats helped bring that ideal closer to reality today by casting aside the politics of fear and division.”

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