It’s a slow road to equality, even within the “big tent” Democratic party.

Last week the Democratic Party unveiled their rough draft party platform, which lacked essentially lavender language, like almost any mention of gay folk – period.

ABC News journo Jake Tapper points out that in 2004, the Democrats included, “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 its section on marriage, but failed to include queers in this years round up, opting for the less explicit, “We support the full inclusion of all families in the life of our nation, and support equal responsibility, benefits, and protections.”

Fishy – no queers and “support,” rather than “seek.”

The platform won’t be finalized until later this month, but gay group the National Stonewall Democrats, who have been working closely with the party, are already trying to make appropriate edits. From Mr. Tapper:

I’m told that language has now been changed, so it reads: “We support the full inclusion of all families, including same-sex couples, in the life of our nation, and support equal responsibility, benefits, and protections.”

Jon Hoadley, the Executive Director for the National Stonewall Democrats, says that at the suggestion of his organization and other LGBT organizations, “a couple of tweaks were made, mainly, making it clear that same sex couples are a part of all families.”

Hoadley goes on to say that the “LGBT Community,” whoever that may be, “thought this was the strongest platform ever for inclusion and substance over symbolism.”

On a related note, the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network couldn't be more pleased about the party's fight against Don't Ask, Don't Tell, which prohibits openly gay folk from serving in the military. From a gleeful press release:

The Platform Committee adopted draft language calling for repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” that in part reads, “At a time when the military is having a tough time recruiting and retaining troops, it is wrong to deny our country the service of brave, qualified people. We support the repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” and the implementation of policies to allow qualified men and women to serve openly regardless of sexual orientation.”

Now, if only we didn't have the need for such things – the military, that is. Peace, man!