Democratic Party platform group backs gay marriage

 DETROIT – The national Democratic Party's platform committee has endorsed gay marriage for the first time.

The platform committee met Saturday in Detroit and let stand the work of a separate group that drafted the section two weeks ago in Minneapolis.

The document says Democrats support "marriage equality" and the "movement to secure equal treatment under law for same-sex couples." The platform is a broad statement of the party's priorities and next goes to the national convention next month in North Carolina.

Platform committee member Scott Dibble of Minnesota says support for gay marriage will attract young people to the Democratic Party. In May, President Barack Obama said he personally supported same-sex unions.

The platform also calls for repeal of a federal law that recognizes marriage as between a man and woman.