Cleveland, Ohio: Democrats crafting the party platform were told/requested Friday to include LGBT issues.

The National Platform Drafting Committee is holding hearings across the country to hear from various groups on what should be included in the 2008 platform.

In Cleveland on Friday, Allison Herwitt, the legislative director for the Human Rights Campaign, called for a clear position by the party on several issues, including repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell - the ban on gays serving openly in the military - and the addition of sexuality and gender expression in federal workplace laws.

"HIV and AIDS remains a critical issue for GLBT people, as the epidemic continues to affect our community disproportionately, particularly young people and gay and bisexual men of color," Herwitt told the committee. "We ask that the platform include a call for the development and implementation of a comprehensive national strategy on HIV/AIDS."

Herwitt also called for passage of an all inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act. The bill, known as ENDA, which is currently before Congress, adds gays and lesbians to protected classes, but excludes transgendered people. ENDA, introduced by Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass), originally included transgendered people, but Frank removed those protections in committee, saying it would be impossible to pass.

She also called for language in the platform voicing opposition to any efforts to amend the U.S. Constitution to define marriage and support for same-sex relationships.